Clydesdales On Parade

Last Saturday we attended the annual rodeo parade in Cottonwood Falls.  The Cottonwood Falls area has a lot of ranches where horses are still used to work the cattle, and every year many of the locals ride their horses in the parade. If you have a horse and can stay on it, you can be in the parade. So it’s only fitting that the Budweiser Clydesdales were there this year to join in the horsey fun.

And here they come, around the corner on the brick main street.

The Chase county courthouse, built in 1873, makes the perfect backdrop for the parade.

Here’s the 1st pair (with the 2nd pair peeking in from the right).

1st Pair

The 2nd pair:

2nd Pair

Not sure what the official duty of the Budweiser guy there was. He was carrying a large white rag and walked alongside the horses for the full length of the parade.

Here’s the 3rd pair (with the 4th peeking in from the right):

3rd pair

Here’s the 4th pair:

4th pair

And here’s the wagon:

Here’s the team altogether: 

(To enlarge, click on the picture and it will take you to a new page. From there, click on the picture again to make it full size. )

I could feel the vibration in the street as they passed by. It was amazing.

And there they go up the street:

And here come the tractor trailers that are used to transport the horses, wagon, and all the equipment.

There are actually three of these, but I only could get two of them in the picture.

Five horses ride in each trailer, and the third is used for the equipment.

It was a pretty neat experience to see the horses up close. I had seen them back in Missouri years ago, but for Harland this was a first. He reacted the way most people probably do:

“Those horses are so big!”

Up Next:  I’ll have more pics of the parade for you.

oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Suzanne

Cattle, corn, wheat, beans, mud, snow, ice, and drought. Plenty of fresh air and quiet. Our life is sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyous, but never boring.

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14 Responses

  1. Elizabeth says:

    I just wanted to drop a note to say that I love your site! It’s real country the way it country is lived 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  2. Chester's Mom says:

    You and Harland have more fun! Thanks for taking us along on your travels.

  3. Tina says:

    They are so shiny and pretty. I would love to see them. Next time they are in my town I am going to see them.

  4. Those horses are beautiful and look so great with the courthouse in Cottonwood Falls.

  5. Alica says:

    They sure are big and beautiful!

  6. Carol says:

    Suzanne, you lead such an interesting life. You are the best tour guide, I’m learning facts and seeing pictures of places I have never seen before. Thank you.

  7. Kathy says:

    I saw the Clydesdales once when I was in Virginia. You are right. They are BIG!!! I would have loved to see them in a parade.

  8. Nancy says:

    Such magnificent horses. I feel fortunate to have seen them in person at our State Fair. Each horse’s name was posted on his stall. Enjoyed your photos.

  9. Karen says:

    Beautiful horses! I saw them at the State Fair here in WA once and they really are big. We have a Persian living next door. He is almost as big. Once, he got loose and sparks were flying from his hooves as he ran! We got out of the way fast!xx

  10. Louise S says:

    Those Clydesdales make an awesome sight, but I had to chuckle when the trucks came down the parade route also. Only in small-town Kansas would you see that, I think! I also love the Dalmatian sitting up in the wagon. From the look on him, I think he loves his job! Thanks for bringing the parade to all of us.

  11. mary m says:

    I’m still back on the comment about the guy (with the white rag)walking next to the horses…is he to prevent a runaway, upset horse?…do they blind fold a horse if he’s seems likely to bolt?
    What does Harland say?…..Oh, and yes, they are beautiful.
    mm, vancouver,wa.

    • Suzanne says:

      As particular as they are about keeping everything spotless, I’m thinking that guy was there to clean off any dirt or poo that might get on the horses during the parade. Just a guess.

  12. Doe in Mi says:

    I Love those horses. I’ve always wanted to see them in person. They are so beautiful and shiney. Good photos Suzanne. Can’t wait for the next ones.

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