BROOKSVILLE, FL -
The Budweiser Clydesdales stole the show during Sunday night's Super Bowl. The commercial, called "Brotherhood," tells the story of a Clydesdale and his trainer. It's already gotten nearly 10.5 million hits on YouTube.
"It's not about Budweiser, the beer, to me," said Tommie Turvey, owner of Equine Extremist Entertainment. "It's about Budweiser, the brand, and their Clydesdales."
Turvey is an expert horse trainer, who often prepares animals for roles in movies and television. He usually works at his property in Brooksville, called Liberty Horse Ranch. Turvey got a call from Budweiser in mid-December, asking if he could train the horses the company planned to use in the spot.
"You've got to get their trust first," he said, "and then respect and everything else kind of falls in line after that."
Turvey hadn't worked with Clydesdales before, but said they only difference was their size. His main challenge was to get the horses to follow his commands by using voice or body language.
The commercial follows the birth of a Clydesdale, who is then raised by his trainer. When the horse grows up, he joins the Budweiser Clydesdale team. The trainer comes to watch, the horse spots him the crowd, and runs through the streets of Chicago to reunite with him.
"Jake Scott, the director made it very clear, he says, I want that horse to come running up and stop feet from the actor," explained Turvey.
Turvey spent three weeks working with the horses to get them ready for the commercial, which took three days to shoot.
"You know, 13 is my lucky number and I said at the beginning of this year, this is my year," he said with a smile. "I was really happy, so we'll see what else great happens this year."
Tommie Turvey, owner of Equine Extremist Entertainment.
