The Clydesdales Return

The Budweiser Clydesdales have made two thunderous trips to Texarkana. Thanks to Eagle Distributing, they will return in November

As the area wholesaler of Anheuser-Busch products, Eagle Distributing of Texarkana has been serving up good drinks and good times to the Texarkana area since 1985. Under the direction of president and managing partner Tim O’Neal, Eagle Distributing is more than just a beer wholesaler; they are also a proud Texarkana institution. 

“In my 29-year career, I am proud of our work, people, and community,” Tim said. “We are privileged to serve a diverse and loyal customer base with quality products and excellent service. We are committed to responsible and ethical business practices that benefit our community.”

In addition to caring for their customers, employees, and retailers, Eagle Distributing provides support to many local causes and nonprofits, including Harvest Texarkana, United Way, Temple Memorial Pediatric Center, Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State Area, the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, and Opportunities, Inc.

Beyond Anheuser-Busch brews, Eagle Distributing is also proud to bring the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales to Texarkana. The Clydesdales symbolize Anheuser-Busch’s heritage and tradition. They first visited Texarkana in 1952, when they paraded through the streets of downtown Texarkana. They visited again in 2015 to honor Tim and the Eagle Distributing team with the Big Jake Award. The Big Jake Award is a 20-pound statue of a Clydesdale and was awarded to Eagle Distributing for earning the title of Anheuser-Busch Ambassador—the highest achievement level for an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler. Only 16 of 600 nationwide wholesalers have reached this level. 

The Dalmatian was added as the preferred coach dog  in 1950.

This fall, November 1st through 4th, Eagle Distributing will bring the Budweiser Clydesdales to Texarkana for a third time, once again to thunder through downtown. The public will have a chance to see these majestic horses and enjoy a live concert by Priscilla Block on November 3rd. While concertgoers will need a paid ticket to enter the venue, the Clydesdales will be right outside the fence so that anybody can come see them without having to pay for a concert ticket.

Tim O’Neal riding along with the Clydesdales.

The Clydesdales will be in Texarkana to join Folds of Honor in supporting our military veterans and their families. Folds of Honor is a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled military servicemembers and first responders. Budweiser is Folds of Honor’s longest-serving partner and is proud to provide these life-changing scholarships.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Budweiser Clydesdales. They were formally introduced on April 7, 1933, to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. August A. Busch Jr. and Adolphus Busch III presented a hitch of six horses to their father to celebrate the day. To their father’s delight, the hitch thundered down Pestalozzi Street carrying the first case of post-Prohibition beer from the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis, Missouri. Since their first ride in 1933, two more Clydesdales and one Dalmatian dog have been added to the team. Dalmatians, valued for speed, endurance, and dependability, were once known as coach dogs because they ran between the wheels of coaches or carriages and were companions to the horses. Today, the Budweiser Dalmatian perches atop the wagon, proudly seated next to the driver.

Ruth Penny-Bell, former Texarkana, Arkansas mayor, rode atop the carriage with Texarkana, Texas Mayor Bob Bruggeman during the Clydesdales’ 2015 visit.

Clydesdales are an extremely strong breed of horse, capable of pulling a one-ton load at five miles per hour. Clydesdales were first bred for farm work about 300 years ago in the region of Clydesdale, Scotland. In the mid-1800s, Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to the United States, where the draft horses resumed their existence on farms. Today Clydesdales are predominantly used for breeding and show.

Budweiser Clydesdales are bred and raised at Warm Springs Ranch, a Budweiser-owned farm near St. Louis, Missouri. To qualify as an official Budweiser Clydesdale, a horse must be a gelding at least four years old, stand 72 inches at the shoulder, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, and have a bay coat (consisting of a brown body and black mane, black tail, and black lower legs), four white stocking feet, and a white blaze (or face stripe). They must be trained at the Budweiser Clydesdale Training School and have the right temperament to make frequent public appearances. Currently, there are three traveling hitches or teams: the St. Louis hitch, the East Coast hitch, and the West Coast hitch. Each team travels roughly 300 days per year and interacts with millions of guests annually, creating one-of-a-kind experiences and lifelong memories. 

Thanks to funding provided by Eagle Distributing, the Budweiser Clydesdales are also the subject of a downtown Texarkana mural, painted by acclaimed Texas artist David Freeman. Located on the west-facing wall of Crossties Event Venue, the stunning piece measures 37 feet tall and 87 feet wide and features four pairs of Clydesdale horses, teamed up and hitched in their parade dress, pulling the Budweiser carriage.