`American icon` Budweiser Clydesdales visit Midlands

ORANGEBURG, SC (WIS) - The one-ton giant dipped his head so a toddler could pet his white muzzle. Then Donnie dipped it even lower so the boy could wrap his arms around his head.

Donnie is a Budweiser Clydesdale -- an iconic symbol of American business success. Despite his one-ton weight, Donnie stands patiently as children and adults surround him for a pet.

"People really like to see the Clydesdales," said handler David West. "They're an American icon. Everybody wants to come see them."

The Budweiser Clydesdales are in the Midlands this weekend for several appearances. This team is based at the St. Louis brewery and stables, so some of the horses in this hitch have starred in the famous television commercials.

"For years, they've had the holiday commercials and things," West said. "And a lot of commercials we did at the end of the year were for designated driver and we did the lift program and that's what they really wanted to push, you know, for people to be safe. And then also, you know, we did the Super Bowl commercials which we'll continue to do forever."

In late 2014 the Wall Street Journal reported Anheuser-Busch wasn't going to use the iconic eight-horse wagon hitch in its marketing campaigns anymore in an attempt to attract drinkers in their twenties who preferred craft beer. But the company's "Best Buds" commercial featuring a puppy, a Clydesdale, and their human friend, was among the most popular of all spots aired during the Super Bowl.

In fact, it's not a Super Bowl without a Budweiser commercial featuring the Clydesdales.

"Clydesdales aren't going nowhere. They're gonna stay here. They're too big of an icon," West said.

Along with the team came one of Anheuser-Busch's famous dalmatians. Clyde, one of the dogs, was just as popular as the horses.

While the horses have personality and love the attention from people, West says people usually react first to the size of the animals.

"People are very intrigued by how big they are," he said. "And they're just so majestic. I think that's probably the most -- what most people tell us."

The Clydesdales are a part of America's young history. The hitch delivered a keg of Budweiser to the White House, from the brewery in St. Louis, to celebrate the end of prohibition in 1933.

For some people, West has the best job in the world.

"That's the biggest pleasure I like about this job is seeing people smile, especially the kids," he said. "They're always real happy to see it and it just makes you feel good. It's a fun job. It's a lot of fun."

Orangeburg schedule:

March 20, Orangeburg Mall, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

March 21, Elloree Trials, Elloree Training Center, 11 a.m.

March 22, stable viewing, Orangeburg Fairgrounds 1 - 4 p.m.

Click here for a schedule of the Clydesdales' east coast appearances.

Click here for more on the history of the Budweiser Clydesdales.