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The biggest stars in the Belleville
National Strawberry Festival Parade
this yearwill be easy to spot.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks will be
bringing the famous six-horse
Greenwood Farms Clydesdale Horse
Team to the parade down Main Street
onSaturday.
The Metroparks recently partnered
with Greenwood Farms to help pro-
mote the 13 Metroparks through the
majestic beauty and story of the
Clydesdales as they participate in com-
munity events, festivals and parades
throughout the area.
Greenwood Farms, located in
Memphis, is owned and operated by
Chuck and Cindy Cryderman. The cou-
ple had a long-standing love for draft
horses that lead them to the
Clydesdale breed. They bought their
first Clydesdales in 1995, which led
them to become owners and breeders
of some of the most prestigious
Clydesdales inNorthAmerica.
Clydesdales originated from
Lanarkshire, Scotland, and were pri-
marily used in agriculture and for all
types of heavy hauling. As machinery
and
technology
progressed
Clydesdales were used less and less,
and in the 1950s and 1960s numbers
were critical and the breedwas endan-
gered. Since then, through breeding
programs and conservation, the
Clydesdale numbers have slowly began
to increase with their estimated global
population now at 5,000. This allowed
the Clydesdale breed to be moved to
the watch list and not the endangered
list.
“Our farmhas a successful breeding
program that produces approximately
eight to 10 foals each year. These hors-
es are special because of their size and
sheer strength. They are also the most
loving, caring and gentle mothers, 100
percent devoted to their babies,” said
ChuckCryderman.
As Huron-Clinton Metroparks offi-
cials looked for avenues to help pro-
mote the parks and provide new expe-
Pulling their weight
Clydesdales join celebration parade on Saturday
See
Horses,
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