Rider and trainer Ann Judge has saddled-up Thunder I, II and III. Judge commands the scoring sprint while waving a flag and saluting the crowdyes, all without holding onto the reigns. The Denver Broncos' iconic mascot, Thunder, will lead the team on to the field at Super Bowl 50. He is loaded into a horse trailer and hauled out of the stadium at the two-minute warning. [19] Officially retired in 2014, Thunder II occasionally makes public appearances. [53], Thunder III had been trained specifically for the role of Thunder, beginning at age three when Judge first started working with him under saddle. 12 / 14 Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. Finally, a good mascot may improve the overall fan experience and instill a sense of unity and passion in the game. Peyton Manning's quip makes horse a hero", "Denver Broncos mascot Thunder the horse heading to the Super Bowl", "Cheerleaders and Thunder Meet the Press", "YepBroncos mascot 'Thunder' is flying FedEx", "Denver Broncos' and Seattle Seahawks' mascots head to town for Super BowI", "Get Ready for the Super Bowl at the TODAY Pep Rally", "Super Bowl 2014: Denver Broncos come galloping out at Super Bowl 48 (GIF)", "Thunder, the Broncos mascot, on his way to Super Bowl; NFL says he can gallop on field", "Denver Broncos' Equine Mascot Thunder Takes Manhattan", "Cheerleaders, Miles and Thunder bringing Broncos style to Super Bowl", "Broncos' Mascot Thunder Traveled Through Snow, Ice For Super Bowl", "Ann & Thunder, Denver Bronco's [sic] Mascot", "Broncos Mascot Thunder to Retire at Sunday Night's Game", "The Squeeze: Von's Vision, Key and Peele and Thunder II", "Handling the Broncos' horse is more than scooping poop", "Davidson: 20 years, $20 million for Volunteers of America's Western Fantasy", "Western Fantasy: It's not just the cowboys who have true grit", "A game in the life of Denver Broncos mascot, Thunder", "The Denver Broncos Mascot's $23 Million Ranch Is for Sale", "Super Bowl 2014: Broncos, Seahawks Enter the Field", "Denver Broncos Thunder during opening ceremony", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thunder_(mascot)&oldid=1137594742, Individual Arabian and part-Arabian horses, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2022, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 13:45. The original "Thunder", JB Kobask, was loaned to the Denver Broncos by Sharon Magness-Blake of Magness Arabians after she received a phone call from team officials asking if she had a "white" horse. [20] Thunder II would become tense, requiring ground handlers and his rider to help steady him. Here's everything you need to know (and probably didn't know) about Thunder, the Denver Broncos mascot.SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: https://www.youtube.com/ABCNews. He was also afraid of the cheerleaders' pom-poms. So we can expect Thunder IV soon to be in Broncos games. "Super Bowl XXXII: The Revenge Tour" is a one-hour documentary special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Denver Broncos' first world championship. When he arrived, he was shocked and delighted to find that the grass he had seen was that of the greatest stadium in the world and the home of his beloved Broncos, Broncos Stadium at Mile High! "Demaryius Thomas: The Heart of a Legend" reflects on the unforgettable legacy of the late No. [1][2][a] Thunder's debut as team mascot was on September 12, 1993, during the Broncos' victory over the San Diego Chargers. [24] Thunder III, age 14 at the time, made the trip because of concerns over Thunder II's age (20 years) and the stress some horses experience during air travel. But if the Broncos win the Super Bowl, Thunder Dos is coming out of retirement. The Raiders won 17-14. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. In case you werent already self-conscious about how your horse doesnt even like walking into the indoor, Thunder has been to hospitals, libraries, gymnasiums, and even rides the elevator. [13] He may also make a run after a field goal, but not a safety. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. [1] Me N Myshadow is sired by Monarch AH out of a *Gondolier daughter, making him a distant cousin to Winter Solstyce. Salmon sushi cups: Get Joy Bauers recipe! [20][31] He served as the Broncos mascot for 11 years and was retired in 2004 after developing arthritis, which made it difficult for him to gallop down the field. He had been the personal pleasure riding horse of Magness-Blake. It helps that he wears earplugs (hes the first Thunder to tolerate them), but he doesnt wear them to keep him from spooking. [24] While at home, Thunder arrives at Mile High approximately two-and-a-half hours before kickoff. family finished by Mrs. Roth. Out of Stock. He retired after the final home game of the 2013 season. Add to Cart. Miles is one of two official mascots of the Denver Broncos, an NFL football team. *An asterisk before the name of an Arabian horse indicates that the horse was imported to the United States. [11], Thunder leads the team onto the field at the beginning of each home game,[12] and typically gallops from one end of the field to the other whenever the team makes a touchdown. Broncos TV - January 2016. He also appeared at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. Miles, the Horse, was the successor to Huddle and made his first appearance in 1995. The Denver Broncos mascot today is an Arabian gelding horse known as Thunder and thunder can be seen in some version or another on every Denver Bronco logo throughout history. DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Ann Judge, riding Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, celebrates with fans after a Denver Broncos score against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on . Thunderis the stage namefor the horsewho is the official live animal mascotfor the Denver Broncosfootball team. Broncos Country showed their true colors on Sunday, bringing lots of orange to StubHub Center for the Broncos' road game vs. the Chargers in Week 11. While the Thunders are horses that represent the citys culture and are dedicated to equestrian arts, Miles is responsible for animating the crowds and cheering the Empower Field at Mile High. Thunder II was partial to people watching. Fabulously spotting Denver Broncos' mascot Thunder, a White Arabian gelding and rider/trainer, Ann Judge-Wegener leaving Times Square after appearing at #Fox. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. Then, Super Bowl 50champion Ryan Harrisbreaksdown a few plays from the Broncos' Week 12 game against the Panthers and pointsout some of the ways the Broncos can improve with six games remaining on the schedule. Denver Post Staff Writer. Thunder II was much more timidso much so that Judge wasnt sure he would make the cut. Required fields are marked *. Thunder made his Mile High debut on Sept. 12, 1993, during a Broncos victory over the San Diego Chargers. For example, sealing all the gaps also, Closing blinds and draped works great, indeed. Fans, players and game day staff alike, stand in awe watching Thunder run. When the Denver Broncos run out of the tunnel in Santa Clara, Calif., on Super Bowl Sunday, they'll have a little extra horsepower on their side: Thunder, the team's live mascot for the last two decades. Thunder made his Mile High debut on Sept. 12, 1993, during a Broncos victory over the San Diego Chargers. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. Denver Broncos Mascot Statue. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. [2] Thunder has gone up elevators, walked through indoor tunnels, has been ridden among the banquet tables at Magness-Blake's Western Fantasy fundraiser, and has attended indoor and outdoor press conferences. [8][33][41] She grew up poor in Philadelphia, and did not ride a horse until she was 20 years old. [9] Ann Judge calls him "Tres". "Rod Smith: Catching Greatness" details how Rod Smith grew a young boy from the projects of Texarkana, Arkansas with dreams of playing professional baseball to became the greatest wide receiver in Denver Broncos history.Through firsthand accounts from the people who most believed in him, this production documents Smith's perseverance and pathway to become one of the most beloved and admired Broncos of all time. The Denver Broncos mascots have been making fans laugh and smile for almost 25 years, and they have become a crucial aspect of the team. Denver Broncos mascot "Thunder" and rider Ann Judge take the field during player intros before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports. He once marched right through the kitchen of the Sheraton in downtown Denver to meet President Bill Clinton. Watch the video above to learn about Thunder in a minute. Spectators were allowed to interact with Thunder and pet him prior to the game. Theyalso take a look at some of Denver's most dominant defensive players from overrecentweeks and outline how they might be able to make an impactinWeek 12 in Carolina. Three purebred Arabianshave held this role since 1993, all gray horseswhose coats lightened with age until they turned completely white. These mascots, from Miles the Horse to Thunder II, have been a vital part of the Broncos experience and will continue to provide fans with fun and excitement for many years. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Started by Bourne? It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. etched himself into the Broncos' record book, as well as the hearts of his teammates, coaches and fans. He retired after the final home game of the 2013 season. As we speak, Thunder is on a Fedex cargo plane, on his way to the Super Bowl. Stage name for the Denver Broncos football team live animal mascot. "Thunder III", a gelding registered as Me N Myshadow, was the understudy to Thunder II, and trained specifically for mascot duties beginning at age three when he was started under saddle. Alexis Perry is joined byPro FootballHall of Famer Steve Atwater and former Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin to discuss some of the adjustments the Broncos need to makein Week 7.Then, Atwater and Franklinbreak downa coupleofkey plays from the Broncos' and Jets'Week6 showings and point out some of the key matchups to keep an eye on this Sunday. Also, Alexis Perry and Zac Stevensdiscuss the positives from the Broncos' Week 14 effort against the Chiefs and share what you can expect as the Broncos host the Cardinals in Week 15. Off the field, Thunders connection to the community helps support local charities. IE 11 is not supported. Times Square isnt the only unusual place Thunder III has been. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry discuss the directionin which the franchise is headed with Owner and CEO Greg Penner leading the search for the Broncos' next head coach.Also, Atwater and Franklin explain what fans might be able toexpect asInterimHeadCoachJerryRosburgfacesKansas City head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefsin his first game with the reins, as well as which Broncos players needto step upon New Year's Dayfor the Broncos to snap their 14-game losing streak to the Chiefs. Hancock, who was a senior in high school at the time, was Huddles during the 1986 season when Broncos was a finalist of the Super Bowl. [18] The day after his arrival in Newark, New Jersey,[33] Thunder was hauled into New York City for television appearances on Today,[34] and Fox & Friends. Thunder is perfect.. Every time the Broncos score a touchdown, Thunder will celebrate with fans by galloping across the gridiron. Thunder, the Broncos' team mascot, a gray Arabian gelding, will head the traditional the 2017 National Stock Show Parade through Downtown Denver on Jan. 5 to kick off the 16-day stock show. Clutch the Bear is presented the NBA Mascot of the Year award during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 22, 2021 at the Toyota. The Chronicle of the Horse . Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. Thunder is the stage name for the horse who is the official live animal mascot for the Denver Broncos football team. [19], Thunder's record number of runs may have been during a 5220 win on September 29, 2013, when he crossed the field eight times. 7400 Orchard Road, Suite 230 Englewood, CO 80111 Phone: 303-796-8881 Email: info@thunderandco.com [48], Thunder II stands 14.3hands (59inches, 150cm) tall and weighs over 900 pounds (410kg). Huddles: Denver's Mayor's Curious Past 9News - January 2016. Thunder appeared at Elway's 1999 retirement gala. They discuss how the Broncos can ignite theiroffenseon Sunday,breakdownthe defensive blueprint for containing Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelceand highlight the some of the other key matchups that might impact the outcome of the game. The Denver Broncos' mascot, Thunder, is an Arabian gelding. The horse reflects the enthusiasm and excitement that Denver Broncos fans have grown to know and love, from his death-defying antics to his upbeat disposition. As of 2022[update], Thunder has appeared in four Super Bowls. He was exposed to a variety of situations, including open horse shows where he could become accustomed to crowds and activity. An Arab thats calm, cool, and collected (Judge says she could walk him across the field if she wanted to) doesnt really fit the stereotype. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. Mascots can also function as team ambassadors, encouraging team spirit and establishing a sense of camaraderie among fans. Monarch AH was a race horse who won 19 of his 23 races, including several graded stakes races for Arabians, earning US$213,646. [9] He also traveled to appear at Super Bowl 50. Thunder kicked off Monday Night Football with a spirited entrance. Thunder III also made appearances in Times Square and on television morning news shows in New York City as part of the pre-game promotion for Super Bowl XLVIII. Sharon explains it this way. [14] Each time he makes a run, a four-person crew runs down the sidelines to the end zone to escort Thunder back to his sideline position. [2] Thunder also attended Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami in 1999. Next came the traditional presentation of colors Sharon Magness Blake circling the arena floor on Thunder, mascot of the Denver Broncos, as a recording of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the. Thunder rolled all across the foothills of Coloradobut went all but unnoticed. Before Miles came along, Huddles was the mascot chosen by Denver Broncos. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. [24] His paternal grandsire is *Salon, a Russian-bred Arabian stallion from the Tersk Stud exported first to Germany and later brought to the United States. He serves as a continual reminder that the Broncos are more than a team; they are a community. gallery Photos: Broncos host inaugural Inspire Change Summit to celebrate partners' impact in the community Miller told 9NEWS. The remainder of his lineage traces back to the Arabian horse breeding programs of Poland and Russia. [1][40], "The fact that all of this is done with an Arabian horse is satisfying Arabians are smart, kind, brave, quiet, gentle, athletic and personable. Thunder is a collectible Hand-Crafted Breyer Model Horse The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. "All the things that I thought coming into the role about this tradition of success and winning and a rabid fan base is true," Leech said. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. That's right. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. For 30 years the Denver Broncos have been led into the field, at every home game, by a majestic Arabian horse called Thunder. Ships Free. Al Roker goes behind the scenes with Denver Broncos live mascot, Thunder 00:00 00:00 An unknown error has occurred TODAY's Al Roker recaps his recent time spent in the Mile High City,. The secluded, private ranch on Triple Creek Ranch Road in Silverthorne, Colorado, is located about a 90-minute drive west of Denver, 30 minutes from the Kremmling airport and just 10 minutes to I-70. He came out of retirement to lead the Broncos Super Bowl 50 Championship parade. On this edition of "Broncos Country Connected,"ILB Alex Singleton details his path to Denver and shares his mental approach while preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time this season. Then, they look ahead to Denver's final game of the 2022 season as the Broncos hope to secure their first divisional win. Sharon Magness-Blake has owned all of them, and Ann Judge has been their rider since 1998 and trainer since 1999. You May Also Like. Behind The Stall Door With: Millfield Lancando. They taught Miles all about the great Broncos traditions and the great players who had carried the team to numerous wins and two world championships. The original Thunder, later named "Thunder Sr.", was described as bold and courageous. "He definitely looks rejuvenated," Campbell said of his former boss. Broncos Football; Broncos News Wire; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Broncos Country made themselves heard at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the Broncos' Week 7 win over the Cardinals. [23], Thunder appears primarily at home games, but has been transported out-of-state when the Broncos played in the Super Bowl. Who does Peyton Manning play for? [19] Like the other horses, though, he dislikes pom-poms and was unsettled when fans in the stadium did the wave. Thunder has also been there to celebrate each touchdown and field goal. After two years, Miles felt his place wasn't in the mountains any longer. Quantity. [1][18] Ann Judge has explained that because so many unexpected things can happen, it is important that the people working with him remain calm; it is trust in his rider and handlers, not just desensitization, that helps the horse remain steady: "You want them to look to you for the appropriate response and for confidence and faith so that the flight response doesnt get initiated. "Thunder" the Denver Broncos mascot walks along the sidelines on Aug. 19, 2006 at Mile High Stadium at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. It's been 25 years since the Denver Broncos earned their first world championship, butthat season is still fresh in the minds of the men who earned it. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. [4] Both Thunder II and Thunder III are stabled at Judge's farm in Bennett, Colorado. Thunder Sr. was succeeded in 2004 by "Thunder II", an Arabian gelding registered as Winter Solstyce. Ethan Hardy is an avid gamer, beat composer, artist, and writer. Can Denver's defense use the same approachittook last week against Titans RB Derrick Henry to slow down Raiders RB Josh Jacobs? "He definitely looks rejuvenated," Campbell said of his former boss. "[4], Magness-Blake owned all three of the Arabian horses that portrayed Thunder. One of the first stops on President Damani Leech's eventual journey to Denver was as an NCAA intern in Indianapolis. 88 and the impact he had on and off the field. The actual mascot, a horse named Thunder, was used for this newest . Winter Solstyce's maternal grandsire is *Gondolier, who was a Polish National Champion and World Champion Arabian stallion at the Salon du Cheval in Paris, imported to the U.S. in 1981. His registered name was JB Kobask, but the stallion was given the stage name Thunder for his mascot duties. She and Magness Blake take Thunder to visit schools, libraries, hospitals and more to bring a little well, big bit of sunshine into peoples' days. Not long ago, high in the Rocky Mountains, an amazing thing occurred in the great history of Broncos football. [4] Thunder's mascot duties were expanded to include delivering the game ball to the referees at the start of each home game. [4], Thunder II would look attentively with his ears forward, seemingly on cue, for his picture to be taken whenever a photographer pointed a camera at him. These mascots exemplify the essence of the Broncos and are a treasured part of the teams history and culture, whether theyre performing on the field or spreading joy in the stands. The fans of Broncos Country showed up in force and were loud all game against Houston. Thunder and his rider take the field before the game. He began performing at preseason games in 2013. It was a snowy Sunday evening -- January 31, 1999, to be exact -- when a big flash of lightning split the blue and orange sunset sky.