GOOD NEWS

99-year-old's wish comes true with visit from the 
famous Budweiser Clydesdales

According to Craig Laman, administrator of Bells Nursing Home, it’s easy to see how Conley developed an attachment to horses. She grew up on a farm. In fact, she and her husband owned a large farm, where they raised peaches, apples and cotton. He says she grew up riding in a wagon and got married in a buggy.

“She’s been around horses all her life,” Laman says. “She just loves them.”

Carolyn Martin, director of Bells Assisted Care Living, called Central Distributors, the Jackson wholesaler of Anheuser-Busch on April 17 and spoke with Russell Clarkson, the general manager. She told him about Conley’s birthday wish. She asked if they might be able to drive past and honk their horns or something, explaining that Conley’s health care needs made it impossible for her to make the trip to Jackson.

Clarkson took immediate action and called St. Louis Hitch Lead Driver Manny Raber at the Budweiser Clydesdales’ training facility at Grant’s Farm. Raber asked Clarkson to visit the Bells campus to make sure that the visit was feasible in terms of space and report back.

Before the afternoon was through, Clarkson called Martin back with very good news. The Budweiser Clydesdales would visit the following day. With less than 24 hours to prepare, excitement spread quickly throughout the assisted care living facility, Bells Nursing Home and Bells Retirement Village.

“It is really unheard of for us to stop when traveling from one place to another,” says Raber. “It just happened to be a short day and right on the way.”

On April 18, Clarkson led the Budweiser caravan, including three custom-made vans (actually more like semi-trailers) to Bells. The huge vans are outfitted to meet every need the horses may have and to accommodate the drivers and trainers. Approximately 120 residents and patients sat on the lawn in their wheelchairs waiting to see the majestic draft horses. Those not able to come outdoors were peering through the windows.

“It’s kinda like going to Vegas,” says Clarkson. “You kinda had to be there.”

Raber and the other trainers unloaded one of the eight horses – Ladd, who weighs in at an impressive 2,200 pounds and stands more than 6 feet tall. Also ready to work the crowd was Otis, Ladd’s handsome Dalmatian friend who travels everywhere with the horses.

To the delight of all the staff, residents, patients and many others from the community, Ladd, Otis and the drivers and trainers visited for over one hour. Smiles were abundant, and cameras were flashing.

“I feel like this was a visit that a lot of our people will never forget,” says Watkins.

With their gentle, kind nature, Clydesdales make the perfect guests. Despite their size, they move with relative ease and grace. They are patient with people. They rarely get nervous, kick or bolt. They are remarkably calm.

Because Conley was unable to participate in the outdoor activity, Ladd went to her window to visit with her personally. With a trainer leading him every step of the way, he walked through the flowerbed and stuck his head through the opening. Conley realized her birthday wish had come true as she reached up to pet the gentle giant.

“I can’t believe they came,” says Conley. “It was mighty nice of them.”

In 1933, the tradition of the Budweiser Clydesdales began when August Busch Jr. presented his father with the first Clydesdale hitch, celebrating the end of Prohibition. The much sought after Budweiser Clydesdales travel approximately 100,000 miles each year to appear at parades, festivals, rodeos, state fairs and other special events. While on the road, the drivers stop every few hundred miles and let the horses drink and get out and stretch their legs. It takes their handlers about five hours to prepare them for an appearance.

“By the looks in the old people’s eyes, I knew we really did something for them,” says Raber. “It makes everything so worthwhile.”

The Budweiser Clydesdales have performed for heads of state, kings, queens and presidents, and now, Eleanor Conley’s name will be added to the list of those who have been inspired, thrilled and entertained personally by the famous team.

“The people with the Budweiser Clydesdales made Ms. Conley a celebrity,” says Watkins. “After leaving, they called the facility to say, ‘It was our pleasure.’ They told us they were not sure why it worked out for them to come but were glad it did.”

“Good News” is a feature designed to spotlight some of the many positive aspects of long-term care in Tennessee. Know of a “good news”  item? Contact THCA’s Communications Department at info@thca.org.