Title: The Florida Cracker Trail Ride: Preserving Floridas Horse and Cattle Heritage
1The Florida Cracker Trail Ride Preserving
Floridas Horse and Cattle Heritage
- Tara M. Minton
- Coordinator of Economic Analysis
- University of Florida/IFAS
National Extension Tourism Conference 2004
Drawing of Florida cowman, Bone Mizell, by
Frederick Remington, 1895.
2Florida Cattle History
Cattle Barons, Desoto County, FL early 1900s
- Florida is Americas oldest cattle-producing
state - Ponce de Leon brought cows to Florida in 1521
- Cattle escaped evolved into Floridas piney
woods cattle - Knowledge of cattle spread during the 1700s
through Spanish missionaries Seminole Indians - Cattle Barons reigned Florida in 1800s early
1900s
3Florida Crackers
- Range was open, fences were not used until 1950s
- Cowmen hunt for wild cattle in Floridas thick
woods brushthey are called cowhunters (not
cowboys) - Use small cow ponies well-trained cow dogs
- 10-12 foot braided leather whips used to control
cattlegiving them the name Florida Crackers - Brands and ear marks used to distinguish cattle
4The Cattle Drive
- Cattle were hunted and gathered into herds
- Large herds were driven from all over the state
to the market on Floridas West coast at Punta
Rassa - Cattle were sold loaded onto ships bound for
Cuba - Cowmen would ride home together with saddlebags
full of Spanish gold doubloons
5Punta Rassa, Florida
- Cattle market
- Near mouth of Tampa Bay
- Prosperous cowtown
- Pictures of hotel wharf at Punta Rassa
Wharf 1890s
Postcard
Hotel 1913
6The Florida Cracker Trail Ride
- Re-enactment of the return ride cattlemen
would make on horseback from Floridas west coast
7The Florida Cracker Trail had humble beginnings
- 1987- Florida State Legislature designated the
Trail - First ride in May 1988
- Led by Roger Haney from Hardee County, small
group of cowmen and their cow ponies rode across
Florida from Bradenton to Ft. Pierce - They just wanted to do it for old times sake!
8Now its an Annual Event
- I participated in the 2004 ride.
- 17th Annual Cross-State Ride
- 120 miles on horseback
- Across 5 Florida counties
- From Bradenton to Ft. Pierce
- 120 participants
Photo by South Florida Water Management District
Cracker Trail route across Florida
9Florida Cracker Trail Association
- FCTA Mission to promote, maintain and enhance
the natural beauty of the Florida Cracker
Trailthat will showcase the natural beauty of
our statefrom the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico - Main event FL Cracker Trail Ride
- FCTA also hosts or supports
- quarterly meetings rides
- preservation of riding areas
- equestrian therapy for the handicapped
- special events
FCTA Website www.crackertrail.org
10Daily Events on the Trail
- Ride 17-22 miles each day
- All meals are catered
- Morning afternoon rest breaks
- Lunch stop, move campers trailers
- Night camp, dinner evening entertainment
11Evening Entertainment
- Historical Storytelling
- Folk Music
- Cowhunter Poetry
- Arena Games
- Auction
- Barn Dance
- Awards Ceremony
- Friday Dance with Bonfire and Band
12Entertainment for Kids
- Whip Cracking Lessons
- Whip Cracking Contest
- Steer Roping Contest
- Arena Games
- Historical Facts Quiz from Mystery Riders
- Prizes for Winners!
Many children give a report to their classmates
when they return to school.
13Cracker Trail Ride Participant Survey
- February 22-28, 2004
- Two-page questionnaire
- Administered at evening camp near dinnertime
- FCTA Board Members encouraged ride participants
to complete survey - 86 survey respondents
- 72 response rate
14Typical Ride Participant
- white, married female, 40-49 years old, lives in
Florida - high school diploma, annual income lt 75,000
- heard about ride from a friend, has participated
for 4 or more years - enjoys spending time with friends, participates
with 4 or more people, camps in horse trailer
with sleeping quarters
15Typical Ride Participant (cont.)
- feels ride is safe, is satisfied with ride fees,
spends additional 175 mostly on vehicle items
such as gasoline - historical storytelling is favorite ride
entertainment - participates in other riding events other FCTA
events - feels heritage preservation is important
Pictures from the trail!
16Parade through Ft. Pierce, FL
- Ride ends with parade through Ft. Pierce
- Commemorative saddle raffle
- Riders mingle with spectators answer numerous
questions - Lunch at local downtown restaurants
17The Trail ends at the Beach
Riders find time to put their feet up!
Riders camp with horses at Ft. Pierce beach
18Acknowledgements
Many thanks to
- UF/IFAS/Indian River REC
- Florida Cracker Trail Association
- Historical photos from Florida State Archives
- Current photos by Judge Nelson Bailey