Handler Marissa Kaminski ‘15 brought the legendary horses to Blacksburg for a stop at Virginia Tech’s new Equitation Barn.
When Marissa Kaminski needed a place for the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales to spend the night, she chose a barn that already felt like home — Virginia Tech’s Equitation Barn.
In July, Kaminski visited Blacksburg with 10 of the iconic draft horses for their first-ever overnight stay on campus. The team was traveling from Washington, D.C., where they marched in the National Independence Day Parade, to Atlanta for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.
“I knew it was a great barn, and I couldn’t wait to come back and see it,” Kaminski said.
The 29-stall, 18,000-square-foot barn was completed in 2023 as part of a $31 million upgrade to School of Animal Sciences infrastructure. Alongside new state-of-the-art facilities for poultry, swine, and cattle, it provides teaching and research space designed to serve students and strengthen industry.
For the past three years, Kaminski has worked as a Budweiser Clydesdale handler, a role that blends horsemanship, logistics, and public relations. She helps care for the horses, transports them across the country in a 50-foot tractor trailer, and serves as an ambassador for one of America’s most recognizable icons.
“The best part of the job is traveling and meeting people,” she said. “We’re in a different city almost every week. I love hearing the stories people share about seeing the horses for the first time and what they mean to them.”
Kaminski grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, riding horses and hanging out at the barn where she took lessons. As an animal and poultry sciences major at Virginia Tech, she sharpened her skills by competing in the Equestrian Club, interning in the Equitation Barn, and studying horse management in Germany.
“I always knew I wanted to work with horses in some way,” she said. “I just didn't know exactly how I could turn my love of horses into a career.”
After graduation, Kaminski worked for several years in private and university horse barns before meeting the Clydesdale team at an event. She was inspired to join them and combine her love for horses with a passion for traveling.
Kaminski said one of her career highlights was bringing the Clydesdales to her alma mater.
“A trip to Blacksburg and campus always feels like coming home,” she said. “The new barn was fantastic. We’ll definitely keep it in mind when we’re passing through.”