World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Have Local Connection

As you're watching the excitement of the KC Chiefs playing (and winning) in Super Bowl 58 Sunday from Las Vegas and soaking in all those super expensive commercials, be sure to keep an eye out for the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

The Clydesdales are returning after taking a year off from airing a Super Bowl spot. And this year's ad “Old School Delivery” will feature the Clydesdales making a delivery to a tavern that loses power during a snowstorm, and the powerful horses, along with a Labrador Retriever, reliably deliver the goods through a mountain pass.

The ad's soundtrack utilizes The Band's well-known tune “The Weight” otherwise known as “Take A Load Off, Fanny” from 1968, a vintage song for sure. The Band was Canadian-American and The Weight was written by Robbie Robertson, who died last August in Los Angeles at the age of 80.

To promote Anheuser-Busch's latest Super Bowl ad, “Olaf” along with Warrensburg resident Lane Soendker appeared on a segment Good Morning America on ABC on Jan. 31.

Soendker is a handler and manager for the West Coast Hitch of the Budweiser Clydesdales. He is the son of Sally Soendker, who works for County Distributing in Sedalia.

“I’ve been handler and hitch manager with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales for over seven years, where my role is to provide the very best care for the beloved Clydesdales - or, as I like to call them, my coworkers. My job is to ensure they receive the love and attention they need when they’re at home at Warm Springs Ranch or making appearances in communities across the country.” Soendker said.

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“It’s an honor to be part of the Budweiser Clydesdales’ team, especially during this big moment when the Clydesdales are recognized as the giant celebrities they are. Since their story began in 1933, they’ve achieved the status of Super Bowl icons that everyone looks forward to seeing during the big game. I’m proud to play a role in furthering their legacy this year and sharing the Clydesdales story, ” Soendker concluded.

The going rate for airing a 30-second ad during Super Bowl 58 is estimated at around $7 million. Simple math shows that the one-minute Budwiaser ad will cost $14 million each time it airs.

The Clydesdales that are used for promotional purposes have to have a white blaze, a black mane and tail, dark bay in color, and four white “feathered” hooves.

The horses are bred fed and groomed at the multi-million dollar Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville. Tours are available by visiting www.warmspringsranch.com.