Horse Photography: Florida Cracker Cowboys

by | Apr 21, 2020 | Horse Photography | 0 comments

Being from Tennessee, I was unfamiliar with the Great Florida Cattle Drive and the history of the Florida Cracker Cowboys. However, I recently photographed at the Florida Agricultural Museum during a photography workshop. The workshop was happening at the same time as the Great Florida Cattle Drive & Reunion Ride.
 
 

 

Florida Cracker Cowboy on Horse
 
 
 

The History of the Florida Cracker Cowboys

 
Once I got home, I did a little reading up on the Florida Cracker Cowboy’s history.
 
According to an article published by Tampa Magazine, much of the economy and history of today’s Florida was shaped by the bullwhip-toting cowboys of Florida.
 
In the early 1700s, Spain abandoned attempts to colonize Florida. When they did this, they left behind herds of Andalusian cattle. The cattle were hardy and resistant to parasites found in the Florida landscape.
 
As the cattle escaped their enclosures, they multiplied and spread across North America. Those cattle became an ancestor to today’s Texas Longhorn cattle.
 
In the 1800s, cattle drove much of Florida’s economy. And, without these cattle, the cracker cowboy, would not have existed.
 
Throughout central Florida, cattle rustlers were charged with rounding up the loose cattle. They used long, braided, leather bullwhips to bring cattle out from the forest brush.
 
When the cowboys would flail their whips the force would cause the tips to actually break the sound barrier. This earned the cowboys the nickname of “Florida Crackers”.
 
Eventually, people could tell various Florida Crackers apart by the sound their individual whips made.
 
If you would like to read a more in-depth history of the Florida Cracker cowboys, I urge you to check this article. It’s a fascinating read.
 
 
 

 

 

Florida Cracker Cowboy and his horse in the field
 
 
 
 

The Great Florida Cattle Drive & Reunion Rides

 
 
Each year, the Great Florida Cattle Drive celebrates the desire to preserve the culture of the Cow Hunter and Florida Cracker heritage. They also educate people around the world about Florida’s heritage as a cattle state.
 
2021 is the 500th anniversary since Ponce de Leon, brought the first cattle and horses to Florida in 1521.
 
His endeavors ended with him ultimately leaving Florida. But, the animals left behind formed the start of the Florida cattle industry.
 
To celebrate the 500th anniversary, the Great Florida Cattle Drive & Reunion Rides is planning a special anniversary celebration in conjunction with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and the Florida Department of Agriculture.
 
 

 

 

Florida Cracker Cowboy in the Field

Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP,  of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever.  

Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.

Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN). 

Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.

Ride the Sky Equine Photography specializes in on-location photography for horses and their equestrians. Ride the Sky Equine Photography is based in Chattanooga, TN and works in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond.

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