Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
ORLEANS – Sherry Spanyer finally got her closeup with a Budweiser Clydesdale. On Wednesday the Louisville woman and her husband David drove to Orleans to see the impressive eight-horse hitch that has been synonymous with Anheuser-Busch for more than 80 years.
“I love horses and I’ve always wanted to see the Budweiser Clydesdales,” she said moments after David captured the moment on his cell phone. “They’re just beautiful. This was so worth it.”
The Spanyers stood in a huge crowd that wrapped around Orleans Congress Square to get close to the horses. With phones and cameras out, everyone wanted a glimpse of the towering horses. A Clydesdale horse weighs about 2,000 pounds. With their big yet elegant builds and distinctive silky feathering on their legs, the Clydesdales are truly unique among horses. Known as gentle giants, the eight Budweiser horses stood calmly for photos before taking off for several laps around the square.
“They’re just majestic,” said Randy Clark, Orleans Town Councilman, who helped coordinate the visit to Orleans.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are spending the week in Orange County. The visit is a celebration of Orange County Beverage’s 75th anniversary as an Anheuser-Busch distributor.
The business is headquartered in French Lick and is the sole distributor of Anheuser-Busch and select brands in Orange, Washington and Floyd counties.
In addition to visiting Orleans, the hitch will also make appearances in French Lick, West Baden and Salem.
The Wininger family, now in their fifth generation of ownership, said the visit marks the third time the Clydesdales have been to Orange County, but the first time for the horses to stop in Orleans.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” said Justin Wininger, OCB vice president, as he finished walking a lap around the square with the Clydesdales.
Justin and his parents Barry, OCB president, and Donna are owners of Orange County Beverage, a business that was founded in 1947.
OCB is one of 15 beer distributors in Indiana. At one time, there were 200 beer distributors in the state.
Arranging a visit from the Clydesdales is no easy feat. Donna said OCB first inquired about bringing the Clydesdales to Orange County for the business’ diamond anniversary two years ago. The visit was confirmed just a few months ago.
As a local business with deep roots, the Winingers were happy to be able to bring the Clydesdales to the area.
“This is a lot bigger turnout than I expected,” Justin said of the Orleans crowd. “With it being a Wednesday in the middle of the day, this is a lot of people.”
Justin said by bringing the hitch to Orleans, the Winingers made good on a promise the family made several years ago. In 2015, when Orleans was celebrating its 200th anniversary, town leaders asked if it would be possible to arrange a visit by the Clydesdales.
“We weren’t able to get them for that, but we wanted to make sure we got them here today,” Justin said. “Robert Henderson and Randy Clark were great at coordinating everything.”
As for any future visits from the Budweiser Clydesdales, the Winingers are confident that their business will carry on to the sixth generation. Justin’s daughters, Elliott, 16, and Quinn, 12, have shown an interest in being a part of the family business.
The Clydesdales are stabled at the French Lick Resort, where they will make several stops. The horses will also visit the Salem Walmart, which is OCB’s biggest customer, said Justin.
Remaining schedule
Thursday: 10-4 at French Lick Resort stable, Event Center entrance
Friday: 10-noon at stable, 1-4 at Salem Walmart
Saturday: 10-noon at stable
1 p.m. at West Baden Springs Hotel
1:45 p.m. at 33 Brick Street
2:10 p.m. Legendz Sports Bar
2:30 p.m. French Lick Resort
Sunday: 10-5 at the stable
