Opening Day for Budweiser’s Newest Clydesdale “La Russa”

If you’re anywhere near Boonville, MO, you can stop out this weekend to visit the newest Budweiser Clydesdale…”La Russa” (named after the Cardinals manager).  Details here from AB:

Public Invited to Visit Newest Budweiser Clydesdales at Breeding Facility in Mid-Missouri, Including 1-Year-Old “La Russa,” Named to Honor World Champion Baseball Manager

BOONVILLE, Mo. (March 27, 2012) – Warm Springs Ranch, the state-of-the-art breeding facility in mid-Missouri for the Budweiser Clydesdales, opens for public tours starting this weekend. Opening day coincides with the height of foaling season, with more than 30 baby Clydesdales expected to be born this year.

“Spring is here and that means baby Budweiser Clydesdales are arriving, sometimes daily,” said John Soto, supervisor of Warm Springs Ranch. “Our foaling season starts in February and continues until June, so we still have a lot of work ahead of us and look forward to sharing the experience with visitors.”

Guests get to see and interact with the more than 100 Clydesdales who call the farm home, including those that appear on the traveling hitches and in some of the brand’s beloved television commercials. The herd includes “La Russa, pictured above, one of last year’s new arrivals who was named after Cardinals manager Tony La Russa following his team’s World Series victory last November.

“La Russa is doing exceptionally well, growing up and looking good,” Soto said. “He is the perfect Budweiser Clydesdale and loves the beautiful pastures here in Cooper County. Look for him possibly to be leading a hitch in a few years, just in time for Tony La Russa’s entrance to Cooperstown.”

Last year the farm welcomed 11,648 visitors from around the country, up almost 30 percent from the year before, with visitors coming from as far away as Sweden and Australia. New this year at the ranch: Just like Anheuser-Busch’s brewery tours, adults guests will now be able to sample Budweiser at the end of their tour, which is fitting considering the horses’ connection with the iconic beer brand.

The Budweiser Clydesdales have been an integral part of Anheuser-Busch’s heritage for more than 75 years and their strength and majesty symbolize Budweiser quality. They were formally introduced on April 7, 1933, to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition for beer.

“The symbol has become synonymous with Budweiser — the quality that goes into the beer, as well as the time, energy and passion we put into taking care of the horses,” said Jeff Knapper, general manager of Clydesdales Operations for Anheuser-Busch.

Dedicated staff is on site around the clock to ensure the baby Clydesdales are welcomed into the world in comfort and safety. Those Clydesdales born with the proper markings for a Budweiser Clydesdale – a bay coat, a blaze of white on the face, four white stocking feet, and a black mane and tail – have a future spot on one of the traveling hitches. Warm Springs Ranch features a 25,000-square-foot breeding barn with a veterinary lab and 10 pastures, each with a customized, walk-in shelter and free-flowing water dispensers. The farm sits on 300-plus acres of land, allowing the Clydesdales plenty of room to exercise and roam.

Tours of Warm Springs Ranch are by reservation only and last approximately an hour and a half. Tours are offered daily, except Wednesdays, April 1 through Oct. 31. Admission price is $10. Children under the age of 2 are admitted free. Visit www.warmspringsranch.com for more information or to make a reservation. Tours are scheduled twice per day and last approximately an hour and a half.

Guests on the tour also will view the Clydesdales’ custom-made harnesses, a 1903 Studebaker-built beer wagon, and three luxury tractor-trailer units that transport the Clydesdales to appearances all around the country. They also will learn about the Budweiser Clydesdales’ breeding techniques.

“Last year we welcomed 35 foals into our Budweiser Clydesdale family and expect a similar number this year,” Knapper said. “We take great pride in each and every one of our horses, and Warm Springs Ranch is a great home. Anheuser-Busch has about 200 Clydesdales in our herd, with about half of them at Warm Springs Ranch in Cooper County.”

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.7 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world’s largest-selling beers. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.