World famous Budweiser Clydesdales, Wow Rock …

A Wyoming Independence Day parade without horses consists only of a group of people in a slowly moving line.

When a team of some of the world’s most famous horses leads a parade in Wyoming, it becomes a memory never to be forgotten.

The legendary Budweiser Clydesdales made the third Rock Springs Liberty Parade on Thursday the envy of the rest of the Cowboy State: People lined up along Gateway Avenue two hours in advance to secure one of the best spots.

The team of eight Budweiser Clydesdales were dressed up, groomed and at their best as they pranced, clapped and nodded their huge, perfectly groomed heads at the hundreds of youngsters who momentarily forgot all the free candy they were about to collect.

Oakland Grajeda, 5, spent most of his time darting between curbs to grab candy dropped by many of the nearly 70 parade participants. But the Clydesdales are on a whole different level, he said.

He said he even likes them better than free candy because “food is boring.”

Riah Tarness, a local YouTuber from Rock Springs, was almost as excited as the kids and said she couldn’t wait for the Fourth of July to arrive.

“They’re the only reason I came here,” she said of the Budweiser beer truck with its eight stunning Clydesdales and two Dalmatians. “I’ve only seen them on TV. I’m so excited. I love horses, they’re just beautiful animals.”

About these horses

The Clydesdale team – Budweiser calls it “Hitch” – is one of three that the company sends around the country 300 days a year.

Each team has ten horses and eight of them pull the famous red and gold beer wagon.

Whether it’s as a professional athlete or at the Olympics, only the best of the best make it. There’s a reason why they’re always on track and on point.

They are bred for this.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are raised at the Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville, Missouri, which houses more than 70 horses. The farm made headlines in May when 15 new stallions were born.

Like Santa Claus with his reindeer, a spot on the hitch is the pinnacle for Clydesdales, if they’re aware of it. But to earn that distinction, they must be at least 18 hands (72 inches) tall and typically weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds, although some have been even heavier.

Six-year-old Tristan was only interested in how huge they were.

“I want to drive one! Mom, I want it for Christmas!” he shouted to the group of adults behind him. A woman, probably Mom, just rolled her eyes.

Not just because of the horses

While the excitement surrounding the Budweiser Clydesdales continued throughout the parade, Rock Springs locals and visitors were treated to a complete show.

This year’s Grand Marshal was Doug Uhrig, former national vice commander of the American Legion. He was a paratrooper with the 509th Airborne Infantry during the Vietnam War.

The Shriners zipping around in their little yellow cars were also a hit, as was a local barbecue joint. Several runners pulling a smoker behind a pickup truck rushed back and forth, serving freshly smoked hot dogs to people along the parade route.

Of course, no parade would be complete without a crowd of smiling and waving local political candidates.

Several parade-goers told Cowboy State Daily that while they don’t mind candidates campaigning during parades, they would never be swayed into voting for someone just because they were in a parade.

“Nah, I’m not that impressed,” said Carmen Grajeda. “I mean, they’d probably be better off just advertising or something. That doesn’t make me vote for them.”

Heather Hager agreed, saying she appreciates when someone shows community spirit, but it doesn’t make her like or dislike a candidate more than she already does.

She also had another thing in mind at Thursday’s Liberty Parade: her two children, Chloe and Gregory. Both are local Boy Scouts and helped carry a large American flag that led the long column directly in front of the Clydesdales.

Greg Johnson can be reached at [email protected].