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Denver broncos mascot thunder

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. That’s right. We’re not talking about a guy in a horse costume (although the Broncos have one of those too). We’re talking the grey Arabian gelding that leads the team past pyrotechnics, skydivers, cheerleaders with pom-poms, and an enthusiastic drum line.

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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.

That’s right. We’re not talking about a guy in a horse costume (although the Broncos have one of those too). We’re talking the grey Arabian gelding that leads the team past pyrotechnics, skydivers, cheerleaders with pom-poms, and an enthusiastic drum line.

Thunder leading the charge of the Broncos team onto the field. Photo courtesy of Ann Judge

Oh, and he’s running into a stadium of 75,000 screaming fans. And that’s just a regular season home game.

Speaking as someone who has had to get off their horse to lead her past a scary patch of grass, it’s almost impossible to imagine a horse doing what Thunder does. But trainer and rider Ann Judge has been making the impossible possible for over 20 years.

We went behind the stall door with Judge and Thunder before they hit the road for the big game. Here’s everything you need to know about the world’s most unflappable horse:

• Thunder has been portrayed by three horses over the years—all Arabians owned and bred by Sharon Magness Blake. The original Thunder (the only stallion) passed away several years ago, and Thunder II is retired at Magness Blake’s farm in Silverton, Colorado. But if the Broncos win the Super Bowl, Thunder “Dos” is coming out of retirement. “He’s healthy, he’s doing great. He’s 22 years old and hopefully going to be able to participate as well. If we should happen to win the Super Bowl, we can’t get Thunder III back in time for parade [in Denver],” rider and trainer Ann Judge explained.

From left to right, trainer and rider Ann Judge, Thunder III, Thunder II, and owner Sharon Magness Blake. Photo by Angela Lieurance

Thunder III is a 16-year-old Arabian gelding, registered as Me N Myshadow. His first game was in 2013—at Super Bowl XLVIII, no less. The game was in New York, Thunder II was 20 years old, and Judge didn’t want Dos flying across the country in bad weather. “We’d decided we were going to fly, and we thought for a 20-year-old horse we were asking a lot,” Judge said. “So I said, ‘Hey buddy, I know you’ve only done preseason, but what do you think about the Super Bowl?!’”

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Judge’s dog, Spider, does his best to show Thunder some love. The adorable black lab did his best to land a kiss on Thunder’s nose throughout the interview, much to Thunder’s dismay. Photo by Laura Cardon

• Thunder’s pre-game ritual is pretty low-key. Judge bathes him the night before; it saves time the next day and lets him have more downtime before he goes on. They get to Mile High Stadium 2½ hours early for meet and greets, and Thunder pulls out of Mile High Stadium at the two-minute warning to head back to Judge’s farm in Bennett, Colorado. “I love taking him out on a trail ride [the morning before a game],” Judge said. “I feel like he has so much stimulus the rest of the day, so I just let him go out and lope in the fields. Now that it’s cold, I work him in the indoor arena for about half an hour just to loosen him up and leg him up.” Judge continued, “They give us warm-up time before the game. We usually have three to five minutes to be out on the field before the game starts. We lead the team out of the tunnel before the game and then after that, we just stand on the sidelines.”

Decked out in Broncos gear from head to toe, Thunder loads up for the second leg of his drive to California. Photo by Ann Judge

• The original Thunder watched every play. Thunder II was partial to people watching. Thunder III? He’s more into meditation. “He doesn’t care about watching the field or the people! He kind of leans into Sharon and I. Sometimes he looks at us like, ‘People are so stupid,’ like if they’re banging or leaning over the front [wall on the sidelines]. He’ll just put his head into Sharon’s chest like he’s going away into his own little world.
• It helps that he wears earplugs (he’s the first Thunder to tolerate them), but he doesn’t wear them to keep him from spooking. Mile High gets loud. “I’m always so worried I’m going to damage their hearing because it’s so loud in there. He’s never acted like the noise bothered him, but I was worried about his hearing so I wanted to try them,” Judge said. “He LOVES them.” “I forgot to put them in the first part of the last game—I totally spaced it. He was on the sidelines and he was just kind of mad at us, bumping us with his head. As soon as I put his ear plugs in, he was like, ‘Ahhh, thank you.’”

Thunder’s custom saddle, complete with Broncos bling. Photo by Laura Cardon

• Thunder III may differ from his predecessors on the field, but Judge describes him as the perfect blend of each of their personalities. The first Thunder was a stallion, and had the ego to match. Thunder II was much more timid—so much so that Judge wasn’t sure he would make the cut. “His timidity actually worked out even better because he so looked to us for support. Thunder III is a kind of a mix of the two. He’s really softhearted but he’s bolder than Thunder II. He’s got kind of a cocky attitude, but he wants to partner with his people so much.”
• Unlike most other famous horses, Thunder rides solo. His only travel companions are Magness Blake, her farm manager Rudy, and Judge as they make the drive to Stanford’s infamous Red Barn. “They’ve been so nice,” Judge said. “They’re so excited! I was excited to be going to Stanford, and now Stanford’s excited to be having us!”
• One last thing—let’s address the elephant in the room. An Arab that’s calm, cool, and collected (Judge says she could walk him across the field if she wanted to) doesn’t really fit the stereotype. For Judge, whose ridden Arabs since she was 12, it doesn’t surprise her at all. “I always describe them as emotional horses that aren’t for everyone. You really do have to get inside their head. They’re not hot. They are so in tune to their people, which is probably what makes them kind of emotional. If you tap into that in a positive way, you can really make it work for you.”

Thunder shows off is photo posing skills with the author, who is trying not to drop the lead rope out of extreme childlike excitement.

• Updated
• February 7, 2016
• 7:57 am

Denver broncos mascot thunder

For 30 years the Denver Broncos have been led into the field, at every home game, by a majestic Arabian horse called Thunder.

Thunder has also been there to celebrate each touchdown and field goal.

Since 1993 there have been four horses that have earned the honor to be called THUNDER.

In 2019 Breyer added Thunder to its model horse collection. (No. 1811 Thunder).

Breyer model horses, which begin as artist’s sculptures, are handcrafted and hand-painted with airbrushes and paintbrushes – a process which is still done by human hands, not machines.

Breyer models are without equal in authenticity and artistry, and are destined to become the centerpiece of a collection that will last an entire lifetime.

The History of Thunder

When Thunder, the Denver Broncos mascot opens each home game in Denver, Colorado, more than 76,125 fans show their Love of Thunder with resounding Mile-High cheers and applause. With each scoring drive, Thunder engages the crowd running full-stride from the south end zone down the center of the field to the north.

Four purebred Arabians have been cast in the mascot role that debuted on September 12, 1993, a Bronco victory over the San Diego Chargers. “To me,” owner Sharon Magness Blake says, “Arabians have so much presence, and when you get close to them, you can see their intelligence and kindness.”

Winning multiple show champion awards, Sharon explains that the first Thunder was a stallion. “He was smart – a lovable handful with a hilarious sense of humor.” Thunder I led the Bronco charge during the inaugural ten seasons and represented the team during Elway-led wins in Super Bowls XXXll and XXXlll. Thunder II, a gelding nicknamed “Dos”, rode as the mascot through the 2012 season. Thunder III also known as “Shadow” was appointed with mascot duty and has led the Broncos onto the field in Super Bowls XLVlll and 50. Thunder IV took over in 2021.

Team Thunder

Rider and trainer Ann Judge has saddled-up Thunder I, II, III and IV. Together, adorned in blue and orange, the duo adds full-speed elegance to the hard-nosed game of football. Judge commands the scoring sprint while waving a flag and saluting the crowd … yes, all without holding onto the reigns. This ceremonial full-field run signifies a Bronco scoring drive.

Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake are Chief Executive Owners and the force behind every element that continues to make the Bronco’s mascot possible for all who enthusiastically embrace the Thunder Spirit. Together, they orchestrate countless preparations behind the scenes in addition carrying out pre-game and on-field details that allow us to enjoy the NFL’s finest mascot.

Accompanied by Team Thunder, the Arabian mascot requires a support crew of professionals. “We have a great team on the field,” Ann says. “In addition to Sharon and myself, there is Sharon’s husband, Ernie who clears the pathway on the field as well as the sidelines between cameras and players.” Team Thunder is completed with Rick Holman who serves as bodyguard. Also, Rudy Mendiola and David Blake take a position on each side of Thunder’s hindquarters while in the end zone. They steady the horse, keep field staff at a distance and … "manage the shovel in case of falling ‘meadow muffins.’"

Off-the-field Community Involvement

Off the field, Thunder’s connection to the community helps support local charities. Through Sharon’s involvement in diverse nonprofit efforts, Thunder has been a special guest to benefit organizations like Children’s Hospital, Denver Rescue Mission and the American Heart Association and Western Fantasy. As co-founder, this remains the pinnacle event and Sharon’s favorite night out with Thunder. The evening begins with Denver’s most distinct opening tribute. Sharon explains it this way. “Thunder and I ride around a hundred and twenty tables full of guests who love seeing the mascot up close and personal. We bring the American flag in to Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA. Thunder is perfect.”

Since 1994, Western Fantasy has raised one million dollars annually for Volunteers of America. Thunder also hosts an annual Christmas party for 300 children from local Boys and Girls Club organizations, complete with a kid-style lunch, pictures with the mascot, face painting, balloon art fun and gifts from Santa.

For Our Love of Thunder …

Fans, players and game day staff alike, stand in awe watching Thunder run. For that awe-inspiring Love of Thunder, we have owner Sharon Magness Blake to thank for the gift of reveling in 30 years of special mascot moments.

On Sunday February 7, Thunder lead the Denver Broncos to victory in Superbowl 50!

Appeared in the NFL Hall-of-Fame Parade.

And was Grand Marshal for the National Western Stock Show Parade.

It is recommended to allow the cleaner to sit on the surface for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate and loosen the dirt before agitating it with a brush or sponge. After cleaning, the wheels should be rinsed thoroughly with water to remove any residue. It is also recommended to dry the wheels using a microfiber cloth to avoid water spots.

In The News

Over the last 30 years, the Denver Broncos' live mascot, Thunder, became a fan favorite and a beloved part of a game-day tradition in the Mile High City. Find out how owner Sharon Magness Blake and her team of horse experts have kept Thunder running for three decades and how he creates special connections with players, fans, and the Denver community. - April 2023

ESPN Peyton's Places, Season 1, Episode 17 - November 2019

Fox 31 Denver - October 2019

The Repository, Canton, Ohio - July 2019

Denver Broncos - September 2017

Broncos TV - January 2016

9News - January 2016

ABC News - February 2016

SkySports - February 2016

NBC's The Today Show 2014

Peyton Manning's 509 Touchdown Pass - NFL Network 2014

Thunder (Denver Broncos)

Thunder is the stage name for the horse who is the official live animal mascot for the Denver Broncos football team. Three purebred Arabians have held this position, all gray horses whose coats lightened with age until they were completely white. Thunder has appeared in four Super Bowls with the Broncos, including an appearance by "Thunder III" at Super Bowl 50 in 2016. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a fake horse head and a Broncos uniform.

Thunder's job usually includes leading the team onto the field at the start of every home game and running from one end of the field to the other when the team scores a touchdown or a field goal. He and his rider also interact with fans prior to each game; the horse is particularly popular with children, who are allowed to pet him. The horses who have served as Thunder are trained to trust their handlers and to remain calm in situations that would normally frighten horses, including being inside loud football stadiums filled with thousands of fans and performing in the presence of exploding pyrotechnics, loud music, cheerleaders waving pom-poms, skydivers landing on the field, and other spectacles common to both American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) games. The first Thunder performed at two Super Bowl games during his career, and, as of 2016, Thunder III has appeared at Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl 50. In 2014, Thunder III also made promotional appearances in Times Square and on television morning news shows in New York City. Thunder is routinely asked to appear in parades and at many other public functions. He has needed to travel in airplanes, ride on elevators, appear indoors for press conferences, visit hospitals and schools, and on at least one occasion, walked amongst banquet tables in a hotel ballroom.

The first Thunder, later named "Thunder, Sr.", was a stallion whose registered name was JB Kobask. Originally a show horse, he was the original mascot from 1993 until his retirement in 2004, and continued to make community appearances until his death in 2009. He was succeeded by the gelding Winter Solstyce, foaled in 1994, the personal pleasure riding horse for his owner, who took over as "Thunder II" in 2004. Thunder II retired from performing in games in early 2014 after the Broncos won the AFC Championship for the 2013-2014 season, but continued to make public appearances. "Thunder III", whose registered name is Me N Myshadow, was the understudy to Thunder II, specifically trained to become the next Thunder, beginning when he was started under saddle at age three, and began performing at preseason games in 2013. Although Thunder II was the mascot for the 2013-14 season, Thunder III went to Super Bowl XLVIII because he was younger and better able to handle being shipped by air to the east coast. Each mascot had a different personality: JB Kobask was very bold, while Winter Solstyce was more timid at first but grew into the role, being notable for his friendliness to people and for his tendency to pose for cameras. Me N Myshadow is laid-back and would prefer to doze off during games when he is not performing; he wears ear plugs to protect his hearing. Sharon Magness-Blake has owned all three horses. The trainer and rider of Thunder is Ann Judge-Wegener.

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