St Johns County Cracker Day

Every year long about mid-October the St. Johns County Cattlemen's Association hosts Cracker Day.  This year was the 54th Annual Cracker Day and held on October 16th.  

Watching the horse events
Competitors or Well wishers?

Of course you couldn't have a Cracker Day without the Florida Cattle Women.  In years past they were known as the Cow Bells, a cute but not very flattering name.  At some point the name was rethought and the Belles became Women.  Anyway, my mother Margie served as President.  During the time she was active the Cow Bells cooked and served the famous lunch:  Slow roasted local beef, Hastings potatoes, and coleslaw made from Hastings cabbage.  And of course, a wonderful bake sale.

Mother Margie
President of the Cowbells

Now, it has been years since I went to Cracker Day and things have changed.  The barrel races and other horse events have moved from under the tall pines into a covered arena.  

Races not occur inside a covered arena

You can now select fish and gator from one vendor and chicken or beef from another vendor.  These days a live local band provides a mixed selection of music instead of recorded music.  But the whip cracking contest is still outdoors and the bake sales are still in operation.  Thank goodness for home baked goodies.

Tractors clear the arena between heats
about every 6th contestant's run

The focus of the day is truly horse skills and the Cracker horse.  The Florida Cracker Cattle and Horses are described as of moderate size, brought to Florida in the 1500s by the Spanish. And each year, the St. Johns County Cattlemen’s Association pays tribute to both that date back centuries “just because it has to be done,” said Chuck Stevens, former local association president. There is a need to carry on the tradition of telling the history of Florida Crackers.

Chuck and Margo Stevens
Chuck of the St. Johns County Cattlemen
Margo, my step-sister, carries on tradition
her father was dedicated to Cracker Day

However, the contestants did not necessarily demonstrate ranch skills as I doubt most of the riders have actually worked cattle.  Yes, some have but there were many young girls competing who were still learning horse skills.  Now I am not a horse person but many of those riders and horses seemed to be more adapted to Dressage than Ranch work. 

So many horses!
How many horses are in the area?

Three riders in particular are my sister, niece, and nephew, who love horses but have regular day jobs and each have a horse for recreational riding.  Don't mis-understand me, not everyone can or should work on a ranch but the Cracker and ranching traditions should be kept alive.   

Nephew Jesse astride his new horse

 You could call this a family reunion day as much of the Chauvin-Nease family was present.  My sister Suzette Chauvin King, niece Vivien Williams, and step-sister Margo Nease.

Suzette, my sister, strolling
with her cow dog.

It was good to see the family and have time to visit with them and friends.  As always it was a treat to see Vivien on her horse as you don't find many people who can sit a horse as well as Vivien.

Niece Vivien exercising her horse.

And of course, Bill and I get into the act by preserving the Cracker life, tradition, and history through music, original songs, and selected collected songs.  Normally in appropriate attire.

Great photo taken by the
bake sale staff