NCBS PIG TALES® May 2011 SPECIAL EDITION

THE CLYDESDALES

SHOWTIME

Our next NCBS BBQ Boot Camp is at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC on May 13th! The Camp is already half full and filling up, so be sure to secure your spot today!

If you can’t make it to the Camp in Tanglewood, we have 2 more Camps for 2011 - The NCBS Mountain BBQ Boot Camp in Fletcher, NC and the NCBS Coastal BBQ Boot Camp in Wilmington, NC. Click here for more details! NCBS PIG TALES® May 2011 PAGE 2

DRAFT “ROCK STARS”

Throughout recorded history men have been fasci- All of these were/are draft horses. There are nated with “BIG”. To own the biggest club, sword, a number of breeds. Some of the more dog, horse etc. was a source of pride and a status familiar breeds are Belgian, Shire, Percheron and symbol. We will not delve into other reasons men Clydesdale. may have for this phenomenon. Men are not alone These Herculean in this fascination of the “Biggest”. For centuries sized horses were men, women and children have paid to see the originally bred to “biggest” at sideshows, fairs, circuses and other pub- carry knights in lic events around the globe. One source of amaze- full armor and ment has been the biggest horse. Eighty (80) plus intimidate men on years ago the worlds largest horse honors went to foot. They were “Brooklyn Supreme”. Foaled in the US in 1928, meant to be fire breathing “Brookie” stood 19.2 hands (a hand is 4 inches) at Radar the shoulder and dragons. Later weighed 3,200 these draft breeds were woven into the farm work of lbs. He wore a Europe and prized for their ability to pull a great 40” collar and amount of weight. These hard working, blue collar measured 10 feet horses were imported to the US in the mid 1800s 2 inches at the and became the work horse of choice for the Ameri- girth (around his can farmer. Of all of the draft horses in harness chest). At one around the world no breed of these gentle giants is time Dr. LeGear more recognizable than Clydesdales. And no hitch at only four (4) of Clydesdales is more recognizable than the Bud- “Brooklyn Supreme” years of age was weiser Clydesdales. No logo in the advertising considered the world’s largest horse. He was 21+hh world is more identifiable with its brand than the (hands high) and weighed 3940 lbs. Since the “Dr” eight magnificent bay Clydesdales that pull the there have been a number of horses mentioned as the bright red brewery wagon of Anheuser-Busch. world’s largest, “Noddy” at 20.2hh and 1.5 tons, Go- liath (19.1hh), Zeus, Radar (19hands 3 ½ inches) and Poe, possibly the present leading contender for the title at 20.2hh and 200 stones ( a stone is 14 lbs.) in weight.

Only the best of the best Clydesdales make the Budweiser Clydesdale eight-horse hitch.

Poe with owner Shereen Thompson Continued on Page 3 NCBS PIG TALES® May 2011 PAGE 3

DRAFT HORSE “ROCK STARS” (cont.)

They are alike in appearance. Each horse is bay in Each horse con- color, has a white blaze on the face, black mane and sumes about 60 tail and white feathering on all four legs and feet. All pounds of hay of the horses are approximately the same size: about and 10 pounds 18/18+ hh of specialized and weigh in grains and vita- at about mins per day all 2000- inspected and 2300lbs. Mealtime for the Clydesdales monitored by There are Photo by Curtis White the horse’s five (5) trav- handler. eling Clydes- The horses drink local water (most of these equine dale teams, giants drink about 20+ gallons per day) also care- one is based fully inspected. The horses have their hooves in MO., one trimmed and get new shoes and leather pads every in NH, one in six(6) weeks. TX and two Budweiser Clydesdales in pasture in CA. Each Photo by Jim Early year the teams travel more than 100,000 miles and make over 500 appearances to the delight of audiences young and old.

When on the road the Clydesdales travel in a style befitting their status as “Rock Stars” of the horse world. They are chauffeur driven in a caravan of three (3) handsome red Budweiser tractor-trailer rigs emblazoned with their pictures on the trailers. They stand on heavily cushioned floors in air condi- tioned stalls. The trucks are equipped with air ride to further aid their comfort.

One of the Clydesdales being outfitted with new pads The Budweiser Caravan & shoes by farrier John Soto Photo by Jim Early Photos by Jim Early & Curtis White Continued on Page 4 NCBS PIG TALES® May 2011 PAGE 4

DRAFT HORSE “ROCK STARS” (cont.)

On a show day the horse’s routine is much like an actor/entertainer being made up for a scene or per- formance. The horses stalls are cleaned, the horses fed, curried, brushed, washed, wiped, sprayed,

manes set with red and white flowers and ribbons, tails set and netted and ribbons affixed, feet cleaned and last minute touch-ups. This routine takes five (5) hours of preparation.

Rubby dub dub

Rich Gerth preps Chico Jim dries Jake after bath

Jim Early curries Chico Mitch gives Jim a raspberry Continued on Page 5 NCBS PIG TALES® May 2011 PAGE 5

DRAFT HORSE “ROCK STARS” (cont.)

On April 19, 2011 The Clydesdales visited Winston Salem, NC to recreate a scene from yesteryear when the team delivered a case of beer to a local billiard hall. On this day the team delivered another case of beer and the proprietor returned the original crate. Over 3500 people lined the streets to see and take pictures of the Clydesdales making their second de- livery. It was quite a moment. The horses also made several appearances at BB&T Baseball Field to greet the Dash fans. Rock Star Transportation While the Budweiser East Coast Hitch Team and the Then the horses are driven to their show. At the Clydesdales were in town I was privileged to spend show grounds the horses are fitted with the complex some time with the men and the horses. The horses black leather harness that is custom made and in this hitch were Mark, Stu, Mitch, Don, Evan, custom fitted for the special needs of each horse. Chip, Jake, Chico, Jeff and Rudy. Chico was my Next the favorite. He horses are was a people ready for horse and had the hitch. a calm The first demeanor. horses to I got to watch be placed the horses are the take their wheel 7AM morning pair. romp in the They are pasture, be The Elite Eight attached curried, to the brushed, double tree closest to the wagon followed by the washed and body, swing and lead pairs. Once in place these Jim and Chico get new shoes. Elite Eight become the most famous eight horse And I got to hitch in history. Add the 8000 lb. Brewery Wagon love on them. All of the hitch horses are geldings (with hydraulic brakes no less) some icy cold Bud, a (castrated) and for good reason. A good gelding is hitch driver, the same horse every day. I owned, rode and bro- asst. hitch kered Tennessee Walking horses for a number of driver and years. There was an old saying “You tell a gelding top with what to do. You ask a to do it and you discuss Brewer (the it with a stud”. Some things never change. Dalmatian) and you have I would like to express my thanks to our sponsors a rolling Anheuser-Busch®, Budweiser®, R. H. Barringer party. Distributing Co., my friend Chip Harpe and The Budweiser East Coast Hitch Team for making my time with the Clydesdales possible and for such a

HERE WE GO! memorable experience. Much Obliged. - Jim Early NCBS Pig Tales® May 2011 PAGE 6

Friends of NCBS NCBS Pig Tales® May 2011 PAGE 7

Friends of NCBS

R. H. Barringer Distributing Co. Inc. Winston Salem, NC R. A. Jeffreys Dist. Co. of Wilmington Wilmington, NC NCBS Pig Tales® May 2011 PAGE 8

Friends of NCBS

Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Winston-Salem, NC

Pepsi-Cola of Hickory Hickory, NC

Pepsi Bottling Ventures Wilmington, NC

PIP Printing Dewey’s Bakery PRINTING

Triad Packaging

Duplin Winery Triad Packaging Rose Hill, NC

Piedmont Distillers

Joyce Foods Winston-Salem, NC A.B. Vannoy Hams

Twiddy & Co. Realtors To The Point, Inc. Winston-Salem, NC NCBS Pig Tales® May 2011 PAGE 9

Friends of NCBS

Trigger Agency Casual Furniture World

Bridges Barbecue Lodge Speedy Lohr’s BBQ of Arcadia Shelby, NC Arcadia, NC

Wilber’s Barbecue Herb’s Pit Bar-B-Que Goldsboro, NC Murphy, NC

Moore’s Old Tyme Barbeque Richard’s Bar-B-Q New Bern, NC Salisbury, NC

Short Sugar’s Drive-In Fuzzy’s Reidsville, NC Madison, NC

Grady’s Barbecue Hill’s Lexington Barbecue Dudley, NC Winston-Salem, NC Skylight Inn Ayden, NC Carolina Bar-B-Q - Statesville, NC

Milner’s American Southern Cuisine & Cocktails Are you interested in becoming a Phillip M. Williford, M.D. business sponsor of NCBS? Visit www.ncbbqsociety.com, Big Oak Drive-In & BBQ - Salter Path, NC email us at [email protected] or Jimmy’s Seafood - Winston-Salem, NC call (336) 765-NCBS for more information NCBS PIG TALES® May 2011 PAGE 10

Our Mission NCBS Pig Tales® is the official monthly publication of The North Carolina Barbecue Society and is free to members. Dues start at $35.00 a year ($25.00 for seniors and students). Visit us at The mission of the North Carolina Barbecue www.ncbbqsociety.com to download application or apply online. Society (NCBS) is to preserve North Caro- lina’s barbecue history and culture and to Become a contributing correspondent and send us your articles, secure North Carolina’s rightful place as the ideas, pictures and recipes. Email correspondence is preferred. Barbecue Capital of the World. Our goal is to promote North Carolina as “the Cradle of ’Cue” and embrace all that is good about We reserve the right to edit any article, ad, comment or recipe. barbecue worldwide. As we strive to achieve these lofty goals we will be guided by the Contact NCBS polar star that barbecue is all about good food, good friends and good times. 144 Sterling Point Court Winston-Salem, NC 27104 Phone: (336) 765-NCBS ® Fax: (336) 765-9193 [email protected] www.ncbbqsociety.com

Curtis White—Editor in Chief, Layout and Design & NCBS Webmaster

Columnists Jim Early All rights reserved, The North Carolina Barbecue Society © 2011 Contributing Correspondent Margo Knight Metzger Are you interested in becoming a Bill Eason business sponsor of NCBS? Visit www.ncbbqsociety.com, Photos this Edition by Jim Early & Curtis White email us at [email protected] or call NCBS Officers (336) 765-NCBS for more President…………………………………... Jim Early information Vice President……………………………..Bill Eason Secretary………………………...... Mary E. Lindsey NCBS wishes to give its membership a voice in NCBS Pig Treasurer……………………………………Jim Early Tales®. The articles in this publication reflect the views, opinions and preferences of the author of the article and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions and prefer- NCBS Board Members ences of NCBS officers, board members or the staff of Jim Early…………………………Winston-Salem, NC NCBS Pig Tales®. Bill Eason………………………………Marshville, NC The recipes shared in this publication, unless they are ex- cerpts from Jim Early’s books The Best Tar Heel Barbecue Mary E. Lindsey…………………………..Atlanta, GA Manteo to Murphy, Jim Early’s Reflections: The Memories and Rick Hollowell……………………….Greensboro, NC Recipes of a Southern Cook and Shining Times: The Adventures Steve Grady……………………………….Dudley, NC and Recipes of a Sportsman have not been kitchen tested by this publication. Debbie Bridges-Webb……………………Shelby, NC Richard Turner……………………...Lake James, NC