and celebratory energy to the crowd of the Denver Broncos by working with a team of 7 flagrunners to spell the word BRONCOS behind the love mascot, Thunder. [2] Thunder also attended Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami in 1999. "[19] On one occasion, a person walked out unexpectedly in front of Thunder as he was leading the players onto the field. Since the Denver Broncos team logo features a horse, it is obvious that the mascot has to be a horse. Denver Broncos Mascot Statue. Learn More{{/message}}, Thank you for sharing such great post! He routinely appears in parades, makes hospital and school visits, and attends various other public functions. [13], The horses who have served as Thunder have been trained to remain calm in situations that would normally cause a horse to respond with a fight-or-flight response, such as the flashing explosions of a pyrotechnic display, or items suddenly landing on the field including skydivers with parachutes and various objects thrown by spectators, or loud music and the sounds associated with tens of thousands of cheering fans at Mile High. The original Thunder watched every play. [19] Officially retired in 2014, Thunder II occasionally makes public appearances. What happened that was so amazing, you ask? One of the first stops on President Damani Leech's eventual journey to Denver was as an NCAA intern in Indianapolis. [9] Ann Judge calls him "Tres". It helps that he wears earplugs (hes the first Thunder to tolerate them), but he doesnt wear them to keep him from spooking. Pro Football Hall of FamerSteve Atwater and Gridiron's Michael McQuaid take a deep dive into some of the main storylines and matchups to keep an eye on as the Broncos and Jaguars take the international stage on Sunday. Then, BroncosVice Presidentof Community Development AllieEngelkenoutlines some of the greatest ways the players and organization havemade an impacton theColorado community and beyond over the past few months. gallery Photos: Broncos host inaugural Inspire Change Summit to celebrate partners' impact in the community The Denver Broncos mascot dances on the field before the game of the Los Angeles Raiders against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on December 8, 1985 in Denver, Colorado. JB Kobask also had a substantial amount of Crabbet breeding in his pedigree. And on Wednesday, Leech spoke to nearly a dozen current interns who held the same role that Leech once did. [21] Thunder III is the first of the mascots to tolerate wearing earplugs, which help protect his hearing from loud noises during games. Miller told 9NEWS. Your Price: $49.99 $ 49 99. All Rights Reserved. The stallion was notably gentle around children who wanted to pet him. Thunder I was the teams first mascot from 1993 until 1996, and he was succeeded by Thunder II, who has been bringing the thunder since 1997. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. Behind The Stall Door With: Millfield Lancando. This ceremonial full-field run signifies a Bronco scoring drive. We bring the American flag in to Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA. The original Thunder made regular appearances at events and community functions following his retirement. Free shipping for many products! 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. Who does Peyton Manning play for? On this edition of "Broncos A to Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discuss the decision to waive RB Melvin Gordon III, what the move means for the Broncos' running backs room for the remainder of the season and what the keys to victory are this week in Carolina as the Broncos hope to snap their two-game losing streak. The Denver Broncos Aug 2021 - Present 1 . 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 . [16][17] Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. On this episode of "BroncosAtoZ," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevensidentifysome of the most encouraging moments from the Broncos' Week 17 game against Kansas City. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning joked, "Might have to give ol' Thunder an I.V. [48], Thunder II stands 14.3hands (59inches, 150cm) tall and weighs over 900 pounds (410kg). [23], Thunder appears primarily at home games, but has been transported out-of-state when the Broncos played in the Super Bowl. Times Square isnt the only unusual place Thunder III has been. He retired after the final home game of the 2013 season. How this music star is raising awareness about colorectal cancer, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son, Michelle Yeoh on how her mother congratulated her for Oscar nod, Michelle Yeoh: Everything Everywhere cast ended up as family. Ethan Hardy is an avid gamer, beat composer, artist, and writer. Broncos fans made their presence known on "Monday Night Football" against Kansas City. Filling, Copyright 2023 Thumbwind Publications LLC. Thunder responded to the situation with aplomb, continuing to run forward onto the field, though he performed flying lead changes with each explosion. [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. [22], Magness-Blake said one of the most dangerous parts of Thunder's job is at the beginning of the game when he leads the team onto the field, as there are cheerleaders ahead of him waving their pom-poms and a team of excited football players behind him. To get the maximum of it, hang floor-to-ceiling curtains made of thick fabric., There are plenty of sightings in the thumb of Michigan. With his fun antics and crazy shenanigans, this horse entertainment added a whole new level of excitement to the games. In The News. Quantity. Since its establishment in 1960, the Denver Broncos have had two official mascots, and these two Thunderbolts have created quite a stir. Thunder, the Denver Broncos' mascot, is finally in California, after getting stuck in a winter storm on Interstate 80 in Wyoming. Denver Broncos: Miles, Thunder II: Miles is a white, horse-like anthropomorphic figure wearing an orange jersey; Thunder II is an Arabian horse. [5][19] Ann Judge, also known as Ann Judge-Wegener,[43] became Thunder's rider in 1998. Curiously, Huddles, who was a horse on two legs, has a curious backstory. Offer ends in 23hrs 36min 12sec! On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry preview the Week 14 AFC West showdown between the Broncos and Chiefs. Sharon Magness-Blake has been with the Denver Broncos' living, breathing mascot . Upon arrival, Thunder was stabled at the Stanford Equestrian Center. (Parker Seibold /. She is an accomplished equestrian. Together, adorned in blue and orange, the duo adds full-speed elegance to the hard-nosed game of football. Thunder III? Broncos Country was as strong as ever in the Big Apple. Thunder is perfect.. [20] Thunder usually leaves the field before the game is over. Thunder, provided by Thunder Spirit LLC of Denver, will be entering his 5th year during the Broncos' 2018 campaign. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). [44] He continued to make community appearances[13] until his death in 2009 at age 27. [20] Thunder II would become tense, requiring ground handlers and his rider to help steady him. 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. [56] In 2018, another horse, foaled in 2007,[57] was announced as in training to become Thunder IV, but as of 2021[update] has not been publicly identified.[58]. [12] Another unexpected event occurred in 2014 during Super Bowl XLVIII when the pyrotechnics display was supposed to have been executed before Thunder led the team out but it went off unexpectedly during his run. -- Thunder, the beloved mascot for the Denver Broncos, is making his third trip to Super Bowl Sunday. They also touch on the possible return ofoutside linebackerRandy Gregory, how the Cardinals might try to containwide receiverJerry Jeudy and how Denver's defense might be able to shut down Arizona's biggest weapons. [9] He also traveled to appear at Super Bowl 50. 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! Salmon sushi cups: Get Joy Bauers recipe! after this one." The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. [25] He has a large private box stall located next to the visitor's locker room, and has hay, water and treats,[6][26] including a big basket of carrots and apples. [33], At Super Bowl XLVIII, Thunder led the team onto the field at the start of the game,[35][36] making it the first Super Bowl where he was allowed to do so. Allow us to take you on a whimsical journey as we uncover the history of the Denver Broncos mascots, a history filled with jokes, pranks, and all-around good times. [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. Broncos Country made its presence known as the Broncos picked up its second consecutive win. 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. Who needs to step up as the Broncos look to score at leasttwomore touchdownspergame? [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 is a regular at . On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," canthe Broncos'offense overcome the Jets' stout defense to snap their three-game losing streak? The horses were, not surprisingly, huge Broncos fans. [19], Winter Solstyce, an Arabian gelding foaled in 1994,[12] became "Thunder II" in 2004. Instead of watching players on the field the way Thunder Sr. did,[19] Thunder II liked to observe the people in the stands. The original Thunder served as the Broncos' mas- cot for 11 years before retiring at the start of the 2004 campaign. Denver Broncos fans are no strangers to the legendary players whove donned the orange and blue, but what about the mischievous Denver Broncos mascot whos added an extra dose of humor and hootenanny to the field? [18] FedEx sponsored the plane trip for its promotional value;[9] the cost for which normally runs about $20,000. Finally, hear some of the best sound bites from some of the Broncos' most vocal leaders from over the past month. Tune into this Broncos Broadcast special airing Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. MT on 9NEWS or catch it on the Broncos YouTube channel at 7 p.m. MT. Thunder II served . Super Bowl 50championRyan Harris breaks down a fewgame-changingplaysfromdown the stretch and points out ways the Broncos can improveagainst the Jets. [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. The Broncos' popular live animal mascot Thunder was the inspiration to incorporate a horse-head profile as part of the logo on the team's helmets. [12] Ann Judge has also remarked about the team getting "amped up" with energy and excitement as Thunder leads them onto the field, explaining that "To him, amped up means danger. [19] Like the other horses, though, he dislikes pom-poms and was unsettled when fans in the stadium did the wave. The fans of Broncos Country showed up in force and were loud all game against Houston. Throughout the next eight-and-a-half seasons, D.T. Miles, the Horse, was the successor to Huddle and made his first appearance in 1995. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. It would be almost two years later before Denver fans would be able to see this amazing creation. Extra handlers ensure the safety of the horse and surrounding people. One of the first stops on President Damani Leech's eventual journey to Denver was as an NCAA intern in Indianapolis. He was founded on January 31, 1999, the same day that the Broncos became Super Bowl champions for the second time at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. Mascots can also function as team ambassadors, encouraging team spirit and establishing a sense of camaraderie among fans. The purebred Arabian gelding is also part of a good luck ritual for the Broncos. The original Thunder performed in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII; Thunder III appeared in Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl 50. Denver Broncos Mascot - Thunder. Thunder walks off the field after a touchdown in the fourth quarter in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Denver. The Broncos' mascot since 1993, Thunder is a familiar sight, circling Mile High Stadium with rider Angela Moore on his back at the start of every home game. Even in freezing and snowy conditions against the Rams, Broncos Country held strong during Sunday's game. Cheerleaders Thunder - Denver Broncos Mascot 1 / 14 2 / 14 3 / 14 4 / 14 5 / 14 6 / 14 7 / 14 8 / 14 9 / 14 Part of Thunder's training schedule is a trail ride. [2] Yet he remained calm and controlled in very intense situations,[20] and Judge believed he had a sixth sense for when to be energetic for a performance and when to calm down. The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8, TODAYs Al Roker visits Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Colorado to see what it takes for the Denver Broncos real-life mascot Thunder to prepare for games.Sept. Since its establishment in 1960, the Denver Broncos have had two official mascots, and these two Thunderbolts have created quite a stir. 88 and the impact he had on and off the field. Can Denver's defense use the same approachittook last week against Titans RB Derrick Henry to slow down Raiders RB Josh Jacobs? On this edition of "BroncosAtoZ," with Nathaniel Hackett out as head coach, Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens share their biggest takeaways from the joint press conferencefrom BroncosOwner and CEO Greg Penner and General Manager George Paton and previewwhat can possibly be be expectedin the coming weeks and months here in Broncos Country. The Chronicle of the Horse . [1] Me N Myshadow is sired by Monarch AH out of a *Gondolier daughter, making him a distant cousin to Winter Solstyce. So we can expect Thunder IV soon to be in Broncos games. The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener - Denver Broncos History The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener is seen on the playing field during the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game He also learned how to unscrew water bottles and squeeze them to get water. [2][8] Magness-Blake replaced him with Thunder II,[2] a 1994 Arabian gelding registered as Winter Solstyce. Thunder II was much more timidso much so that Judge wasnt sure he would make the cut. 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. On this edition of "Broncos Country Connected," Austin Brink provides an exclusive look back at the Broncos' Week 10 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Jan. 19, 2014. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. 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. [4] He is known for being people-friendly and particularly gentle with children who became acquainted with him prior to each game. IE 11 is not supported. 10 / 14 Ann Judge-Wegener waves to the crowd. All Rights Reserved. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Thunder's driver was near Rock Springs on Sunday night when the Wyoming Highway Patrol closed the highway because of ice and snow. He also appeared at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. [11] Judge grew up on an Arabian horse farm near West Lafayette, Indiana,[43] and graduated from Purdue University in 1980 with a degree in English Education. They also offer a unique chance for marketing and branding, assisting the club in spreading its message and connecting with supporters on a personal level. 2016-2021 Thunder Foundation All rights reserved. I saw one in St. Clair Co. And there is, The one who forgot is the Filoli estate in Woodside, CA. I feel grateful to be the spokesperson for Thunder and, in doing so, for the Arabian breed. 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. Thunder and his rider take the field before the game. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. 7400 Orchard Road, Suite 230 Englewood, CO 80111 Phone: 303-796-8881 Email: info@thunderandco.com A year later, Judge took over as trainer as well as rider. She is also a horse show judge who has adjudicated national and international events. [21] His handlers used operant conditioning with positive reinforcement, associating pom-poms with a carrot treat. They also look back at the Chargers' Week 5 win over the Browns and point out ways Denver's defense can contain Justin Herbert and his arsenal of weapons. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. "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. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. [9] It was the first time a Thunder mascot had been flown. [4][12][20][30], At Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 in San Diego, Thunder Sr. appeared on the field after touchdowns. [47], The stallion was kicked by a mare in a 1997 breeding accident, resulting in a fracture that required two arthroscopic surgeries on his stifle, akin to knee surgery on a human, and was out of commission for six weeks; another two months was needed before he could gallop at full speed. "He definitely looks rejuvenated," Campbell said of his former boss. [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. Denver Post Staff Writer. On this episode of "Broncos A to Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discuss how the Broncoskick-startedtheir offense in the second halfvs.Arizona, defensive linemanDeShawnWilliams explains what has sparked his game as of late andwe sharean early preview of the Broncos' Christmas Day showdown with theLos AngelesRams. [11] In 2004, she married Ernie Blake, an attorney and the mayor of Breckenridge,[42] who also loves horses. Denver Broncos mascot Thunder runs on the field before in the first half of the football game between the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans at Empower Field Field in Denver, CO. Derek Regensburger/CSM/Alamy Live News Credit: Cal Sport Media/Alamy Live News. After two years, Miles felt his place wasn't in the mountains any longer. "[7], The original Thunder, also known as Thunder Sr., was retired in 2004 after serving 11 years as the team mascot. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge, leads players onto the field before a game against the Houston Texans at Empower Field at Mile. She is an accomplished equestrian. Thunder is a purebred Arabian gelding that, according to the Denver Broncos, "displays his impressive canter from one end zone to the other," when the team makes a scoring drive or touchdown. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Thunder III is a 16-year-old Arabian gelding, registered as Me N Myshadow. For Judge, whose ridden Arabs since she was 12, it doesnt surprise her at all. Thunder is a purebred Arabian gelding that acts as the club's mascot. His only travel companions are Magness Blake, her farm manager Rudy, and Judge as they make the drive to Stanfords infamous Red Barn. [28], JB Kobask, a purebred Arabian stallion foaled in 1983, became the first live horse mascot for the Broncos in 1993 after a successful horse show career. Intentionally putting on Thunders coat inside-out with the tags showing has helped the team win games before, according to his trainer and rider, Ann Judge. Although Thunder II was still active as team mascot during the 201314 season, Thunder III was sent to Super Bowl XLVIII because he was younger and better able to handle air travel. He longed for greener pastures; in fact, Miles wanted the greenest turf he could find. The Blakes, Thunder in tow, would go to the ranch for some relaxation and horse riding, but at this point, Magness Blake says, "we have a huge life in Denver, and we don't get there as much . The reality is that the current mayor of Denver, Michael Hancock, was the man under the suit of Huddles. [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. Thunder III initially served as the understudy for Thunder II,[9] and was trained specifically for the role of team mascot from his start under saddle. Even behind enemy lines, Broncos Country was loud and proud at Arrowhead Stadium. Thunder isn't just a horse. Part of Thunder's training schedule is a trail ride. Judge described him as being somewhat timid when he first began his role as mascot but eventually grew into it. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. The actual mascot, a horse named Thunder, was used for this newest . 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. 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. [44] She has been the trainer and rider of Thunder II for his entire career with the Broncos,[13] and also does so for Thunder III. The Denver Broncos are notorious for having thunderstorms throughout the fall and winter that is Thunder storming the field. 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. They get to Mile High Stadium 2 hours early for meet and greets, and Thunder pulls out of Mile High Stadium at the two-minute warning to head back to Judges farm in Bennett, Colorado. He also appeared at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. [8][33][41] She grew up poor in Philadelphia, and did not ride a horse until she was 20 years old. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry discuss what theBroncos' identitymight be down the stretch, who needs to step up with a few starters still battling injury and what to expectinWeek 10 as the Broncos head to Nashville to take on the Titans.
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