It's not every day that Texarkana gets a visit from the the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, but thanks to Eagle Distributing these amazing horses will be in Texarkana August 27-29.These graceful, huge horses are best known for appearing in those famous Budweiser commercials that you've seen on television for years. The reason behind the visit is due to the Big Jake Award that will be handed out to employees of Eagle Distributing of Texarkana. The award is big in itself -- weighing more than 20 pounds and made to look like a clydesdale horse.

"Anheuser-Busch has a program called Ambassador of Excellence, the program is based on a 1,000 point system that all the 600 wholesalers throughout the United States that distribute Anheuser-Busch's products compete for on an annual basis by region. If a distributor is the highest scorer for his region, they are the winner and titled 'Ambassador of Excellence' for that year. If you achieve this rank three times in a five-year period, then you are recognized as an 'Ambassador.'  To achieve the level of Ambassador, you are considered the best of the best," said Tim O'Neal President of Eagle Distributing.

"At this point, there have only been 16 wholesalers achieve the ranks of Ambassador, and Eagle Distributing is one of the 16 throughout the United States that has achieved the status of Ambassadors. When a wholesaler achieves this level, Anheuser-Busch brings the Budweiser Clydesdales to their community -- Texarkana -- to present them with the trophy called 'Big Jake.' The Big Jake award will be presented to the entire Eagle Distributing team for their achievement of ambassador on Saturday, August 29, at Spring Lake Park at 11:30 a.m.," he said.

Bob Levey, Getty Images
Bob Levey, Getty Images
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O'Neal said the world-famous Budweiser clydesdales will be staying at Spring Lake Park "in a massive 120 foot x 60 foot tent that has custom stables made just for the eight Budweiser clydesdale Hitch." Spring Lake Park is where the general public can view and take photos of these majestic horses at a date and time yet to be determined.

Although there are many clydesdale horses in the world, it takes a really special horse to become a Budweiser Clydesdale. Budweiser has its very own clydesdale tact plantation based in St. Louis. The horses selected to become the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales have specific markings, including four white hosiery and a white tipped nose.

In order to represent the beer company, the horses have to become knowledgeable in the Budweiser Clydesdale Training School and possess the right kind of spirit for guest appearances.

The clydesdales got their name from Clydesdale, Scotland where the horses were used for plantation work more than 300 years ago. These beautiful horses are very distinctive with their prolonged hairs that run down the bottom of their leg and cover their enormous hooves. The horses are also known for pulling a one-ton bucket at about 5 mph.

The Budweiser Clydesdales were a gift from Aug Busch Jr. and Adolphus Busch II to their father in celebration of a dissolution of Prohibition laws on April 7, 1933.

After realizing that a horse-drawn drink wagon would boost sales an organization was assembled to put together a second six-horse clydesdale wagon to march down the streets of New York City where thousands of spectators gathered to watch these horses reach their destination in front of the Empire State Building. It was there where a small ceremony incurred and a box of Budweiser was presented  to former Gov. Alfred E. Smith in appreciation of his years of arguments against Prohibition.

In 1950, Budweiser introduced a Dalmatian dog as its symbolic mascot that was seen riding next to the driver of the horse-driven wagon, which became a trademark of the legendary brewing company.

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(Source: Arkansas News)

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