Thunder the Broncos Mascot: The Family Behind 33 Years

The Broncos Never Owned Their Own Horse Mascot

Posted 2 months ago·Updated 6 days ago

Every time the Denver Broncos score a touchdown, a white Arabian horse breaks into a gallop across the field while more than 70,000 fans roar. His name is Thunder. For 33 years, the team he made famous never actually owned him.

A Family Business on the Sideline

Thunder belonged to Thunder Spirit, a private operation run by Sharon Magness Blake and her husband Ernie Blake, not the Broncos organization.

The first Thunder, a stallion registered as JB Kobask, debuted on September 12, 1993, ridden by trainer Angela Moore during a Broncos win over the San Diego Chargers.

Four Horses, One Rider Since 1998

Three more horses have carried the Thunder name since then: Winter Solstyce, who took over in 2004, Me N Myshadow, who ran from 2013 to 2020, and the current mascot, a gray gelding registered as Phantom JD, who has led the team out since 2021.

Ann Judge became Thunder's rider in 1998 and his trainer the following year. She has ridden every horse to carry the name.

Judge grew up on an Arabian horse farm near West Lafayette, Indiana, and competed nationally in Arabian and Pinto shows before ever sitting on Thunder.

Two Super Bowls, Three Parades

Thunder traveled with the team to Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 and Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

He also rode in three Denver championship parades, drawing crowds that packed downtown streets to see the horse as much as the trophy.

Passing the Reins

On August 10, 2026, the Broncos announced that the Thunder Spirit leadership team was stepping away after more than three decades. The Thunder program itself will continue under new management.

"For more than three decades, Thunder created lasting memories for fans as an iconic part of our gameday experience and community outreach," Broncos owner Carrie Walton Penner said.

Magness Blake called the sideline crew a second family. "It's like going home," she said. "It's like your second home."

Ann Judge, in western riding gear, aboard Thunder the gray Arabian horse on the field before a Broncos game — Ann Judge has ridden every horse to carry the name Thunder since 1998.

For Judge, the proudest moments never happened on a football field. She and Thunder spent decades visiting schools, libraries, and elderly care centers.

"Those experiences," she said, "that's where we really changed the course of people's lives."

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Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Denver Broncos own Thunder, their horse mascot?

No. Thunder was owned and operated by Thunder Spirit, the private operation run by Sharon Magness Blake and her husband Ernie Blake, not by the Broncos organization itself.

When did Thunder first run onto the field for the Broncos?

The first Thunder debuted on September 12, 1993, during a Broncos win over the San Diego Chargers, ridden by trainer Angela Moore.

Who rides Thunder the Broncos mascot?

Ann Judge has been Thunder rider since 1998 and became his trainer in 1999. She has ridden all four horses that have carried the name.

What is the current Thunder horse name and breed?

The current Thunder is a gray purebred Arabian gelding registered as Phantom JD, who has served as the Broncos mascot since 2021.

Is Thunder retiring from the Denver Broncos?

The Thunder Spirit leadership team, Sharon Magness Blake, her husband, and rider Ann Judge, announced on August 10, 2026 that they were stepping away after 33 years. The Broncos confirmed the Thunder mascot program itself will continue.