Great Florida Cattle Drive 2026: A living piece of history
Jennifer Schuck and Cher
It’s Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, and I’m still wrapping my head around the last few weeks.
I signed up for the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2026 knowing it would be an undertaking. My niece Nikki Nodland and my good friend Heidi Petermann were joining me, which meant preparing not just one horse, but three. No small task — especially when time, weather and life have a way of piling on all at once.
I am a lifetime equestrian. Heidi is a lifetime rancher from Montana. Nikki is an accomplished horsewoman and a mechanical engineer. Between the three of us, there is a deep respect for good horses, hard work and grit that can’t be taught.
I had the privilege of riding in the Great Florida Cattle Drive in 2022, so I knew what I was getting into — long days, unpredictable conditions and the quiet camaraderie that forms when people and horses are tested together. I moved to Florida full-time 10 years ago and while my internal thermostat prefers warm to hot, this event demands preparation well beyond an ordinary ride.
I grew up riding three-day eventing, foxhunting and dressage, the latter being my forte. But if I’m honest, I always wanted to be a cowgirl.
I’m grateful to be a woman of this era. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to live and work before women’s rights were recognized. The women who endured the early history of this country, and this region, had to possess extraordinary grit and resolve. The Great Florida Cattle Drive honors not only cattle and horses, but the people — men and women — who built a way of life from the ground up.
This cattle drive commemorates Florida’s deep ranching roots, tracing back to the first cattle and horses brought by Ponce de León in 1521 and reenacts the great cattle drives of the 1800s. To ride in it is to step briefly into living history.
Arrival and preparation
On Jan. 22, the excitement became real. Nikki flew in from Austin, Texas, and Heidi from Wibaux, Montana. Both had long travel days and having them here meant everything to me. This wasn’t just another ride — this was something shared.
Jan. 23 was a full day. Nikki met her horse, Behr, a sassy little bay tobiano gaited horse I believe has Cracker horse lineage. Heidi was reunited with Cher, a large black-and-white tobiano I bought from her eight years ago as an unbroken 3-year-old — and depending on the day, Cher still qualifies as “unbroken.” Cher is special, with very definite opinions. I was riding Doc, a sweet little palomino Quarter Horse… well, sweet until he fell in love with Cher. We spent the day fitting saddles to both humans and horses, packing for primitive camping and trying to meet the strict 60-pound gear limit per person, for both riders and horses. That’s no easy task, especially if you’re me.
On Jan. 24, we loaded up and headed to the IFAS DeLuca Preserve outside Yeehaw Junction. The drive from northeast Ocala took just under three hours.
Arriving at the Great Florida Cattle Drive 2026 felt like coming home. In 2022, I knew no one. I was told I would meet people who would become lifelong friends, and that has proven true. Seeing familiar faces and meeting new riders was incredibly meaningful.
At check-in, I was greeted with a big hug from Lynn Henshew, whose family has deep roots in Florida’s cattle industry and helped organize the first drive in 1995. We learned our assigned circle was Rust, received our scarves and mess kits, had our horses’ Coggins checked and headed off to set up camp.
Our circle boss was Wayne Wall, with Rebecca Hurm as assistant. Their job is no small task. Each morning feels like moving a village — breaking camp in the dark, feeding and saddling horses, eating breakfast and getting everyone safely on the trail.
Riding abilities ranged from very experienced to first timers on rented horses, adding another layer of responsibility. I felt the weight of offering my horses to my niece and my friend. I trusted their riding but still prayed our horses could handle the excitement.
On the trail
The morning of Jan. 25 began with excitement of a different kind. I woke to Heidi saying, “Loose horses.”
Behr and Doc had taken down fencing and enjoyed a victory lap through camp before being caught in front of our tent. We regrouped, combined corrals, and that decision marked the beginning of Doc’s unreciprocated love affair with Cher.
Sunday itself was joyful, reconnecting with friends, a relaxed ride and our first dinner cooked from authentic chuck wagons. It was seriously cool.
Jan. 26 was a long day. Clouds rolled in, winds picked up and then came sideways rain. Horses stopped, turned their backs to the storm and waited it out. We were soaked, but it wasn’t cold. When the sun returned, we moved on. Florida has been in drought, but low ground held water. For over an hour, we sloshed through it, horses working hard with every step. Doc finally forgot about Cher long enough to focus on his job.
Jan. 27 brought a “loose horse” galloping past us with a flapping slicker, followed by a Wild West performance from Cher and Heidi. Cher bucked; Heidi stayed centered and rode it out flawlessly. Cheers erupted. It became the story of the day.
The morning of Jan. 28 brought frost and ice. Cher’s back was tight and safety became our priority. I offered Doc to Heidi. It was my turn to trust the foundation I had built with Cher.
I asked her to the mounting block. She stood. I mounted. She accepted me. My heart was full —with gratitude, and pride in trusting myself. The ride wasn’t easy, but it was honest. Heidi and Nikki rode close, helping manage space and energy. That night we shared a fire and stories under cold stars.
Jan. 29 brought a 10-mile day through the Okeechobee-Kissimmee River Valley. Cher felt better than ever; settled, confident. That night we reached a two-night camp, giving horses and riders a much-needed break.
Jan. 30 was restful. Horses were groomed and hand walked. We listened to legendary horseman Craig Cameron speak; wisdom earned over a lifetime. That afternoon, we heard about the filming of “A Land Remembered.” It felt especially meaningful to hear that story while living a piece of it ourselves.
That evening, the Seminole Tribe of Florida shared cultural dances and history, reminding us that this land’s story long predates cattle drives. The night also included recognition, camaraderie and fundraising. The drive supports veterans through Operation Outdoor Freedom, at-risk youth through Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and preserves agricultural heritage through the Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee. The enrichment this provides is truly heartwarming.
The final ride
On Jan. 31, we woke to a warm sunrise. We struck camp for the last time, saddled up and lined up for the final ride to the Okeechobee Cattleman’s Arena.
The American flag led the way, followed by cattle, veterans, covered wagons and the riding circles. We rode onto Highway 441, crowds cheering, waving, calling out “Welcome home” and “You made it.” Traffic slowed, horns honked, phones recorded.
The horses were incredible. Cher hesitated at road markings, then figured it out. What a good girl.
At the arena, the End of the Trail Heritage Festival awaited. We entered proudly behind our circle boss and assistant. It was exhilarating — and emotionally draining.
I remembered the words spoken in 2022: You’ll get to the end and not want it to stop. That was true.
Nothing in life comes easy. Progress takes dreamers, doers, hard work, faith and love — of self, of community, and of something greater than ourselves.
To every participant, especially first-timers, be proud. This was no small undertaking.
And to everyone who organized and supported this extraordinary event: thank you. I pray we all get to ride this trail together again.
To learn more, go to greatfloridacattledrive.com
To see Schuck’s comments from the 2022 drive, go to ocalagazette.com/living-history-lesson
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