| World Clydesdale Show takes stride in Wisconsin |
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By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor
MADISON, Wis. — For the first time in more than 100 years, the sights and sounds of thousands of thundering hooves from the world’s best Clydesdales will return to U.S. soil for the annual World Clydesdale Show, Oct. 12-14.
“We are very excited to bring this world class event back to the United States,” said Cathy Behn, secretary of the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA, who noted the last time the world show took place in the United States was 1893. “The Clydesdale breed is one of the most powerful, graceful and recognizable in the world, and we expect the World Clydesdale Show to be the breed’s greatest showcase ever.”
Sponsored by the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA, the annual world show will take place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., where the best of the best will compete for more than $90,000 in prize money, ribbons and trophies.
According to Behn, a variety of classes, all of which are open to general public viewing, will award and crown World Champion Clydesdales.
“Hitch classes, featuring the awesome power, grace and style of the Clydesdale in full harness and wagon, will undoubtedly be the most anticipated,” she added.
The show will also feature halter classes where individual mares, geldings and stallions of all ages will be exhibited and critiqued from head to toe for their quality of conformation and refinement of movement.
While the Clydesdales themselves will be on display, the World Clydesdale Show will also showcase some of the best horsemen and women in the world.
“Many will have prepared for several years for this competition, and traveled hundreds and even thousands of miles to get there,” remarked Behn. “The hitch drivers in particular will showcase their unique talents by handling up to eight Clydesdales at a time, and controlling their every movement with voice commands and over 40 pounds of reins.”
Aside from the competitive classes, visitors are also encouraged to tour the stables, watch preparations, speak with handlers and horsemen, and get up close and personal with some of the finest Clydesdales in the world.
Additionally, the most famous hitch of all, the Budweiser Clydesdales, will be on site, complete with the infamous eight-horse hitch, Dalmatians, and turn-of-the-century Studebaker beer wagon.
“The Budweiser Clydesdales have been ambassadors of the breed for over 70 years, and through advertising and exhibitions around the world have become one of the most recognized icons in corporate America,” said Behn.
Although the Budweiser Clydesdales will not take part in competition, visitors of the world show can expect daily exhibitions including maneuvers such as figure-eights, docking the beer wagon, and spinning the top – a unique movement where all eight horses move in a circle while the wagon remains in one place.
In addition to the extraordinary horses on display, several seminars will be offered, including selecting and purchasing a Clydesdale, how to prepare a Clydesdale for show, long-lining, driving and showing.
“There will be excitement for everybody at the World Clydesdale Show,” said Behn. “If you’re looking for one event this fall that is perfect for the entire family, this is it.
"The thunder of the hooves, the jingle of the harness, and the sights of hundreds of the best Clydesdales on earth will be unforgettable, whether you’re an experienced veteran of the breed, or it’s your first time at a show.”
For additional information on the world event, visit www.worldclydesdaleshow.com |
| 10/3/2007 |
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