Not only is today Feel Good Sunday, but it's also Super Bowl Sunday!! As much as I like the Seahawks, I want the Broncos to win - how could I not when this is the Year of the Horse - right?
Thunder, the Bronco's mascot, is going to the 2014 Super Bowl. Thunder's job is to lead the team onto the field, and run across the field every time the team scores a touch down or field goal. Before each game, Thunder gets an extreme make over that includes clipping, blueing shampoo to make him extra white, and he gets his mane and tail brushed out and made nice.
Thunder was flown to the Super Bowl on Fed Ex! Thunder arrived in New Jersey on Thursday and will be staying on a farm with plenty of room for him to around and he has a nice big, and clean stall. Thunder was flown because his owner and trainer were worried about the cold conditions and what might happen to him if he was driven to the Super Bowl. Fed-Ex sponsored the flight that would normally cost around $20,000.
There are actually 3 horses who serve as the Broncos mascot. Thunder I first appeared as the Broncos mascot on September 12, 1993 and was retired in 2004. Since Thunder II is 20 years old, Thunder III (who was foaled in 2000) will be appearing at this year's Super Bowl. All three horses are purebred Arabians.
Below are some videos and an article about Thunder (and the Seahawks mascot who's awesome too) for you to enjoy.
GO BRONCOS and THUNDER!! ~Declan
Denver Broncos' and Seattle Seahawks' mascots head to town for Super Bowl
Thunder, an Arabian gelding who trots out whenever Denver scores a goal, and Taima, an augur hawk who starts Seattle's home games, will be in the area for the big game on Sunday. Thunder was traveling by plane and may make a few television appearances. No word if the same is true for Taima, who has the impressive ability to dart through rings of fire.
BY GINGER ADAMS OTIS / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014, 1:17 PM
JOE TABACCA FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Denver Broncos mascot Thunder is led through Times Square in Manhattan by handler Ann Judge-Wegener, left and Sharon Magness Blake right Friday January 31, 2014.
Super Bowl fans are going to be thunderstruck by the team mascots on Feb. 2.
Thunder the horse and Taima the hawk — whose name means 'Thunder' — are both flying into town ahead of Sunday's big game.
Fleet-footed Thunder, the white Arabian gelding who sprints across Mile High Stadium every time his team scores, is expected to touch down Thursday at Newark International Airport.
The 10-year-old departed from Denver early in the morning dressed in a dark blue, padded Broncos rug.
KEN MURRAY/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Sharon Magness Blake with her horse, Broncos mascot Thunder, which was transported into Newark Airport by FedEx plane.
"My bags are packed and I'm ready to go," said a post on Thunder's Facebook page.
The Bronco mascot is traveling first-class in a cargo plane, accompanied by his rider, Annie Wegener, and a special groom.
"For the Super Bowl, he's going to lead the team onto the field and every time the Broncos score he'll run across the end zone," said his owner, Sharon Magness Blake.
SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/GETTY IMAGES
Annie Wegener rides Thunder during a home game at Mile High Stadium.
"We hope he does it many times!" said the Broncos fan.
Meanwhile, Seahawk mascot Taima is going to swoop into town to lead his team into MetLife Stadium Sunday evening.
The 9-year-old augur hawk sports a distinctive black head with a unique cream-colored throat with a dark stripe.
TED S. WARREN/AP
Taima, the mascot of the Seattle Seahawks, stands on the arm of her handler during a November game in Seattle.
The bird of prey — with its impressive 4 1/2-foot wingspan — is a familiar sight to Seahawk fans.
No game gets started until he unfolds his feathers and darts across the field — carefully watched by his trainer David Knutson.
Taima has to keep his nerve as he navigates 12-foot spires of flame, screaming cheerleaders, booming fireworks and thousands of crazed fans to his trainer's gloved hand.
DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES
Thunder trots around the field each time the Denver Broncos score a goal — which fans hope will happen many times during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Both mascots were handpicked for their ability to deal with loud noises and the super spectacle that is NFL football.
Thunder the horse had to take classes to teach him to run over the white yard lines on the football field.
"Thunder has had all kinds of special instruction to deal with cheerleader pom-poms, big noises, large crowds — he can even ride elevators," said Magness Blake.
BRONCOS THUNDER/VIA FACEBOOK
‘My bags are packed and I'm ready to go — Super Bowl Bound!!’ Thunder captioned this picture on Facebook.
Taima, who began flying for the Seahawks in 2007, was named by the team's fans.
His flights are often accompanied by the Seahawks' drum line, known as the Blue Thunder.
Both mascots are fan favorites - and they're already generating huge interest ahead of the game.
Thunder's owner was busy Thursday arranging for a police escort for her horse to get him into the Big Apple for TV appearances the next morning.
"We need some help getting his trailer around those tight corners," laughed Magness Blake, who said Thunder will be on several network talk shows.
This was awesome, thanks for sharing all of it :)
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