Page 70 - chs-1993

MORE THAN JUST

Jim Cannon got his first horse, a pony,
when he was a young boy. His Dad got
him interested in the sport of cutting
horses. This is a very intense horse- rider
sport that involves much practice and
dedication. At age thirteen, he showed
for the first time in a competition setting.
Since he started showing, he has
finished in the top five every year in the
state of Florida, including a top twenty-
five finish at the national level, in 1991.
Jim hopes to one day have a successful
career and own a large ranch and be able
to ride for his pleasure. For now, though,
Jim settles for riding at every opportunity
and helping his Dad train cutting horses
for other people.

above: Jim jumps on and prepares to
ride. right: Jim "shows his stuff" at
a horse show in Unadilla, Georgia.

Kris Robertson is a sophomore with an
unusual sport- he's an astringer, this
means he flies a certain breed of
hawks. He first became interested in
the sport when he was in sixth grade.
It took about two years for him to get a
hawk and get started. Thor, is Kris's
bird, which he has trained. Lieutenant
Rudy Howell of the Freshwater and
Game Commission is a Master Falconer,
and his sponsor. Kris must work under a
Master Falconer for at least two years.
In order to achieve his main goal, to
become a master, Kris must fly birds for
six years.
Right: Kris poses with his hawk, Thor.
Far right: Thor spreads his wings in
the wind as Kris looks on.

58 Hobbies