RUSKIN - They're few and far between now, but as far back as the 1600s, a little steed that became known as the Cracker horse ruled the Florida range.
The Florida Cracker Horse Association, founded in 1989 when the breed was on the brink of disappearing, is pushing for the Cracker horse to be named the state's official equine. James Levy, the association's executive director, said the move could entice more horse lovers to buy them and keep the line going.
To call attention to a bill in the Legislature that would make the Cracker Florida's "heritage horse," two association members will ride Cracker horses on a 300-mile trip from Ruskin to Tallahassee. Billy Ray Hunter of Alachua, astride a 3-year-old colt named Buddy, and Carlton Dudley of Newberry, riding a 5-year-old stallion named Harvey's Dun Dealing, are scheduled to set off from Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve, 3709 Gulf City Road, at 10 a.m. Monday.
They plan to stop at 4 p.m. a week from today at Alafia River State Park, 14326 S. County Road 39 in Lithia, then proceed through Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa. Their route, which roughly follows the Hernando DeSoto Trail, will take them through state forests and parks until they reach the DeSoto Site Historic State Park in Tallahassee on March 6.
The horses are genetically linked to animals brought to Florida by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s, and later were widely used by Florida's cattlemen. Levy said about 850 of the horses remain statewide, including some in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Joe Sumner of Balm has about a dozen Cracker horses.
Susan M. Green
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