Braving the Swamp – 2009 Pony Swim
Specators brave the swamp for the 2009 Pony Swim
So the main event involved with Pony Penning is the Chincoteague Pony Swim across the channel. Specators wake up early to get a front row seat to this exciting event that only lasts a few minutes. Many wade through the swamp and muck and stand for hours with cameras posed waiting for the coast guard to set off his flare that signals the start of the swim. Last year was the first time I attended the swim, and after waking up at 4am, wading the swamp, and standing for four hours while crabs nibbled at my feet just to see the ponies cross the water, you may be thinking….did I dare do it again this year? Heck yes I did! And it was just as awesome the second time!
The salwater cowboys make their way through the swamp
This year though, I decided not to wake up at the crack of dawn. Instead I woke up around 7am, stopped by the Pony Center to feed and check on Minnow, and then proceeded on to the swim site with my mom around 7:30am. We walked a few blocks to Pony Swim Lane (where the horses come ashore) and then proceeded to treck across the swamp to the landing area. And when I say swamp, I mean swamp. You sometimes fall in the muddy, mucky water up to your knees and you better wear sneakers because the crabs are all around ready to prey on unsuspecting victims. So after braving the swamp I was able to squeeze my way under the food bridge for a pretty good spot to view the swim. Luckily I have a telephoto lense on my camera, so even though I had to stand behind several people I was still able to get some nice shots.
2009 Chincoteague Pony Swim
Seeing the ponies cross the water is such a beautiful site to me. I invision Minnow as a tiny foal braving the water to come ashore. I so wish I could have been there in 1993 when he was a tiny little thing. I believe he was one of the smallest of the herd that year (hence the name Chincoteague Minnow).
Surfer Dude 1992 Stallion
Anyway so with the herd ashore I had no time zeroing in on my favorite stallion, Surfer Dude. He is the favorite to many with his stunning silver dapple coat color and his blonde mane and tail. I’m lucky to own a Sufer Dude grandson, Boomerang. I have developed this theory that Minnow and Surfer Dude are full bothers. Surfer Dude being a 1992 buy-back foal and Minnow being born a year later in 1993 its certainly plausable. Both boys have the same build and body type, and their matching muscle necks are unmistakable! So since there is no way for me to know who Minnow’s dam and sire are, because they didn’t start keeping accurate records until 1994, I have determined in my own little fantsy world that Minnow and Surfer Dude are full brothers! 🙂
Riptide looks for his mom
So as I watched the combined herds grazing on shore I notice a lively colt making his way through the crowd, obviously looking for his mom. As he got closer, my mouth dropped, Surfer Dude had a look-alike son! This stunning cold dawned his father’s blonde locks and silver dapple coat as well as a beautiful blaze. I was in love! I watched as Surfer’s son found his mother, a chestnut named Southern Belle, and the pair stuck close to Surfer Dude’s side. Now I know I was not the only one with eyes for the Surfer Dude colt, as word quickly spread around the island of the new beauty. “Surfer Dude’s Riptide” as he was later named ended up fetching the highest price tag at the auction as a last minute buy-back (meaning he would never have to leave the island again) of $11,700. Yeah I definitely didn’t have that in pocket change. But the good news is that Riptide returned to the island. Which means in a few years he will be producing beautiful foals just like his predessesor father, Surfer Dude. Which also means that possibly in 4-5 years I may have the chance to buy a Riptide colt! (I say colt because I’ve never been good with mares/fillies). That news is very exciting to me, I think Riptide will be sure to produce some wonderful offspring and I hope that I maybe one day I will own one of them!
Riptide finds his mother, Southern Belle
To see all of my photos from the swim and auction visit www.greenhorsestudios.com
Surfer Dude's Riptide
"Passing of the Torch" Father, Son, Mom
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
It sounds like you went to the same place we did to watch the swim, we had an up front view since we left at 6AM to get a good spot. It was my first view of the swim, how beautiful. My daughter and I wore matching tall rubber boots, believe me, we needed them.
I enjoyed Minnows show at the pony center we were there the first night for the huge storm and had a rain check for the next day! My daughter lives on the Island so we visit often.
Last year was my first view of the swim and I fell in love with it after that! Its hard not to love it.
The storms in Chincoteague definitely made it hard for Minnow – he has a big fear of lightning (as anyone should). But I think he tried his best and thats all I could of asked for. I’m glad you were able to catch his show!