NEWRY, Maine ??” Anheuser Busch’s internationally recognized symbol of quality and tradition since 1933, The Budweiser Clydesdales, are scheduled to appear Jan. 4-8 during Sunday River’s College Week festivities. The Clydesdales descended from Scotland and were introduced to North America in 1842. They are bred for their strength and were commonly used for heavy pulling and delivery before the age of the automobile.

The full eight-horse hitch will be shown at the South Ridge Base Lodge from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday and 2-4 p.m. on Sunday as well as at the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel on the evening of Friday, Jan 6. The full Budweiser Clydesdale schedule of appearances and subject to change and will be available at www.sundayriver.com as the dates near. The horses will be shown at other locations in the Bethel area throughout the week.

The Clydesdales’ appearance at Sunday River is one of 300 made annually by five traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in mid 1800’s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.

In order to be selected for the Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch, horses must meet certain characteristics including: an age of at least three years, a height of at least 6 feet at the shoulder, and an average weight of about 2000 pounds. A single horse can consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.

A show features the full eight-horse hitch which pulls the almost 4 ton Budweiser Brewery Wagon in tow. The wagon is accompanied by a Dalmatian dog, which generally is seated next to the driver atop the wagon’s load. The Dalmatian, once known as the “coach dog” has a history of being a companion to horses and was also trained to protect the horses and the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

More information about Sunday River’s College Week or other theme weeks in January including Children’s Festival Week and GO50 Week is available at www.sundayriver.com.