Budweiser Clydesdales

Boone Hall Plantation was hosting Stars and Guitars on Sunday, July 1st, a show which would include the appearance of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.  I had heard about it on my last trip to Charleston. I was then reminded of it on Tuesday when I saw a video on their facebook page of the Clydesdales arriving. It had slipped my mind until Saturday morning when I saw a facebook post about the concert. l saw that they were going to be on display between 10am-1pm. In all my years around horses, I have never been lucky enough to see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. I quickly got dressed, fed the cats and headed down to Charleston.  

Arrrived at the farmers market at 9:30 and I quickly learned that they were running about an hour behind.  Given it was the last day of June in the south no less, it was rather hot. Stupidly, I wore my flip flops.  I waited near the tree lined road they would be coming down.

I got to talking to who I later found out was the CEO of Boone Hall Plantation, Laura Bowers.  She told me that I would be able to take some shots of them coming down the road.  They had been delayed for a number of reasons including trying to take a photo for their calendar on Boone Hall’s famous Avenue of Oaks.  I would love to get that shot.  

THE HORSES ARRIVE

The Budweiser Clydesdales arriving pulling that famous carriage was a sight to see.  Riding on the carriage with the two drivers was the famous dalmation. I found out later his name is Barley. Unfortunately the trainers were walking besides them in bright red shirts no less but I still got some great shots.  The horses names in order from front to back: Ivan, Bandit, Royal, Jack, Gordy, JD, Merlin and LaRusso.   I took a few close ups and as you can see in the photo on the right Ivan is photogenic and quite the ham. 

I then headed to the Plantation so I could get a shot of them coming down the road.  While I was waiting for them, I met the marketing director of Boone Hall.  He gave me his card when I told him that I would be happy to share my photos with them.  I was able to get them coming down the road.  The only two issues was that there was a line of cars behind them and due to the unpaved roads, the horses normally white legs were very dirty.  Even with that, this was an amazing experience. I ended up taking almost 500 photos. 

I had brought my drone down with me but after 4 hours in the heat, I was exhausted and just headed home.