Chincoteague
Pony Penning 2010 – Day 1
Ammo says goodbye to Minnow at the Farm
Well I’m finally back and slowly recovering from my week spent on Chincoteague Island in Virgina for the 85th Annual Pony Penning. Pretty much my entire year builds up to this event as I prepare Chincoteague Minnow with new tricks and skills that he can showcase for the week that he’s down there. After that last week in July, I sort of collapse, and then slowly recover again as I brainstorm new tricks and ideas for things to work with the ponies on.
So since last year I recapped the entire week on the blog, I thought I’d do the same this year – so that even if you didn’t make it to Pony Penning this year, you can relive the excitement with me!
On Monday, July 26th – I headed out to the farm early to feed horses and finish packing up Minnow and his ever accumulating belongings (he has a bigger suitcase than I do). This year I was dreading leaving the Dachshund at home, as I’ve become even more accustomed to having him with me constantly. I was also worried he’d think I abandoned him since instead of accompanying me EVERYWHERE for the next week, he would instead have to spend about 11 hours home alone each day – as my husband works (with a long commute). Sadly the island isn’t a very “dog friendly” place. It’s kind of ironic since you’ll see ponies walking the street, making appearances at libraries and shops, and strutting the sidewalks – yet spotting a dog is few and far between, not to mention most of the hotels frown on them, they aren’t allowed in the fireman’s carnival grounds, and trying to find a shop that sold dog cookies or items was next to impossible. So as we pulled out of the farm I reluctantly headed to drop Ammo back at my house as he would have to spend the rest of the day alone. (I’ll elaborate later about how Ammo took to being a “homebody”).
Minnow's got the trailer packed with all his trick supplies
The drive down to the eastern shore took us about 5 hours. Minnow is an excellent traveler, and 5 hours is next to nothing for him when he’s made past trips to Kentucky topping out at about 13 plus hours.
We arrived at the Chincoteague Pony Centre about an hour before Minnow was due to perform in his first show – note to self….leave much earlier next time!! We unloaded Minnow and my mom walked him around while I frantically unloaded all of his trick equipment and painting supplies. By the time 4pm rolled around I was a little frazzled – and I think Minnow knew it.
Minnow opened the show by painting a wonderful painting which I dubbed “Dance in the Mist”. I think he was a little out of sorts as well – because although he painted wonderfully I could tell he was a little distracted, and his strokes were a little less focused.
Minnow between performances at the Pony Centre with my mom
Later as we waited outside for his next cue to perform his tricks I could feel his bundle of energy getting ready to explode. I knew all he wanted to do was leap into the air and let it all out, who can blame him after spending 5 hours on a horse trailer – not to mention I had given him some bute (sort of like asprin for horses) to help with the arthritis in his ankle – so he was feeling pretty good.
Minnow entered the arena to perform his tricks and I had a little trouble focusing him again. He performed everything I asked, but had some slight hesitations as I could tell he was thinking about taking a lap around the arena bucking. But Minnow was a trooper, and held it all in. That just goes to show you that my training with him from the beginning with working on controlling adrenaline really paid off.
After the 8pm show I knew Minnow was struggling to control his excitement. As I turned him out in his paddock for the night I watched as he took two huge leaps into the air. He was saying FINALLY I can let it all out! A few circles around the paddock to meet his new Chincoteague Pony neighbors and he was quite happy to dive into his hay.
"Dance in the Mist" by Chincoteague Minnow
I went back to the hotel and crashed for the night – it had been a LONG day, and I knew we would be doing it all over again tomorrow!
"Assateague Riptide" by Chincoteague Minnow
Look for the continuation to our journey to Chincoteague Island tomorrow!
Out of the Sea
So since I just finished reading A Pictorial Life Story of Misty, I had a new book on my summer reading list. “Out of the Sea: Today’s Chincoteague Pony” is a book written by Lois Szymaski, and is a great resource for information on the Chincoteague Pony.
I didn’t know much about his book, but had been planning to purchase and read it for a while now. I was familiar with the author, Lois Szymaski, and knew that she was a founding member of The Feather Fund, an organization that helps children purchase Chincoteague Ponies.
This book started out wonderfully as it explained how the ponies ended up on the island, what is done to care for them, and even how their breeding has evolved over the years. I actually found myself learning a lot!
For example in 1939 the fire company purchased twenty wild mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management and set them free on Assateague Island to help the Chincoteague Pony breed evolve, and keep from inbreeding. Over the years Arabian blood was also introduced into the herd, and a popular Arabian Stallion named Premiere was also introduced, but went missing – never to be seen again – the next day.
I also learned that Chincoteague is an American Indian word that means “beautiful land across the waters” and George Washington owned a Chincoteague pony named Chinky.
Boomer's photograph published in the book "Out of the Sea"
And then I got about halfway into the book and I saw it. A picture of Chesapeake Boomerang, as in “Boomer” MY CHINCOTEAGUE PONY! I had no idea that Boomer’s photo was in a book! Not only that, but there was even an excerpt on him about his days living in North Carolina.
Burta Boysen of 1000 Welcomes Farm in NC (my Blitz and Boomer’s birthplace) had written a wonderful account of the process she goes through when breaking and training their young Chincoteague Ponies. Burta stated that most ponies are started under saddle at the age of two, but then goes on to say that sometimes its best to wait as sometimes ponies take longer to mature.
Blitz & Boomer's father in the book Out of the Sea
“Boysen said their pony Boomer is a prime example of a pony that should have waited. “He was just too immature and not ready,” she said, “so we put him up for awhile and now he’s doing great.” These days, you can find Boomer in the show ring.”
The text then goes on to detail the training technique they use for starting their ponies under saddle. Basically roundpen work, with roping of the ponies – including their feet, and introduction to “whoa” as well as plastic bags, lariats, and old shirts.
Later on in the book there are photos of the Boysen’s stallion, Chesapeake Powhattan’s Promise (blitz and boomer’s father), and a story about how “Squat” got his name.
I was totally surprised to find that Boomer was in this book – but I also found it even more interesting to hear about his immaturity level and the process he undoubtedly went through to be readied to ride. From the day Boomer came to live with me in 2008 I knew he had a lot of growing up to do. He could barely carry himself (let alone a rider) down a hill, and had trouble finding his footing on the trail. He was wiggly and was easily toppled to the ground with a rider’s weight shift. Within the two years I have had him he’s come a long way, he now has solid steps on the trail, and he’s even grown into his body more. I think he’ll just always be one of those ponies that take a long time to “act his age”.
Learning about the methods used on Boomer to start him under saddle were eye opening. They probably attribute a lot to the fact that Boomer is pretty much unflappable. He doesn’t spook, and rarely have I found anything (or any situation) that rattles him. He’ll touch anything and try anything, and is a very trusting pony. I just might have to practicing roping each of his feet to see just what he knows!
Anyway this book definitely gets my vote as another must read – and not just because one of my ponies is in it!
Photos are reproduced from the book “Out of the Sea” by Lois Szymaski
A Pictorial Life Story of Misty
Recently I just finished reading the book, “A Pictorial Life Story of Misty” by Marguerite Henry, which is a must read for anyone who is a fan of Misty or Chincoteague for that matter. I had a lot of fun learning about Misty’s true life – in fact a lot of things I didn’t even know about her! Along with the wonderful photos of Misty and her friends, it also detailed Misty’s life from the day she met Marguerite Henry, author to the famous children’s book, Misty of Chincoteague.
I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite facts from the book.
– Misty was not born wild on the island of Assateague (as I’m sure many think), her parents (Phantom and Pied Piper) were island bred ponies.
-Misty was purchased from the Beebe’s by Marguerite Henry when she was just a few days old. Since she was too young to leave her mother at the time, the Beebe’s had Misty shipped in a wooden crate no bigger than a dog kennel to Illinois to live with Marguerite.
Misty in her shipping crate
-Misty’s most famous trick was standing on her stool and shaking hands (just like Chincoteague Minnow)
-Misty shared her home at Mole Meadow in Illinois with Friday, a morgan horse, Brighty, a donkey, Alex, a Dachshund, and Mom-cat, the farm cat.
-Alex the Dachshund entertained children with his ability to jump through a hoop, he also enjoyed pony rides on Misty, and had great fun with Mom-cat. (just like Ammo the Dachshund and his cat Cricket)
– Misty attended the American Library Association Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was allowed to sit in on meetings and even rode the elevator to attend a party in her honor. Misty was the only four footed member of the American Library Association.
Alex the Dachshund and Mom-cat
– Misty had wonderful Birthday parties every year to celebrate her Birthday, July 20th. The children would get out of school, and the whole town would congregate to see Misty.
– Marguerite sadly returned Misty to Chincoteague (and the Beebe ranch) to have her foal, a promise she had made to Grandpa Beebe when she purchased Misty as a foal.
– Misty’s first foal was dubbed Wisp O’ Mist when the winning name was picked out of the many children that entered the contest to name Misty’s foal.
Misty shakes hands with Marguerite Henry
– When Misty was in foal to her third baby, a terrible storm swept over Chincoteague. Misty was pulled inside the Beebe’s house to help her weather the storm, as everyone evacuated the island. Homes were destroyed the the town was left in rubble. Misty survived the storm and soon after had her third and final foal, Stormy.
-As Chincoteague Island tried to recover from the storm Misty became a source of hope. She made appearances with her new colt to raise money so that the island could thrive again. Its because of Misty that the tradition of Pony Penning
All photos are from “A pictorial life story of misty”
Own a foal by Misty II’s Henry!
Misty II's Henry
Misty of Chincoteague has a legacy that has far proceeded her life span, and her story also lives on in her offspring.
Misty II’s Henry is a decedent of Misty of Chincoteague, and the very last foal of Misty II. More information on Henry can be found on the website, Misty’s Heaven.
Before Henry was gelded some of his specimen was frozen to be used later for special breeding purposes. Henry’s owner is offering up a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a 2011 Chincoteague Pony foal by Misty II’s Henry. ONLY ONE FOAL AVAILABLE!
If you are interested in owning a part of the Misty of Chincoteague Legacy you can contact
Kendy Allen
ponycntr@intercom.net
Misty II's Henry
or you can contact me and I can put you in contact with someone.
Kyley DiLuigi
info@paintingpony.com
610-269-2424 (Studio 3 Gallery – ask for Kyley)
Don’t delay if you are interested….again there will be only ONE foal.
Photos curtsy of Misty’s Heaven
My Favorite Chincoteague Links
I’ve decided that what will get me past my winter blues is thinking about the Summer ahead. In particular, my yearly trip to Chincoteague Island. This will be the third year that I attend with Chincoteague Minnow to paint and perform at the Chincoteague Pony Centre. I look forward to this every year and we start planning months in advance. So to sort of get my out of my funk, I’ve decided to post some of my favorite Chincoteague Pony and Misty of Chincoteague links. So check them out, and if you’ve never been to the magic that is the Chincoteague Pony Penning….maybe this is your year to go!
Pony Paintings
The website for the Trick Ponies of Chincoteague and an outlet for their creative endeavors. See videos, photos, and shop for paintings. Discover the magic of Chincoteague Ponies!
The Colorful Chincoteague
This website details all of the wide array of coat colors that Chincoteague ponies can come in. Run by fellow pony enthusiast, Amanda Geci, this website even features some of the Trick Ponies of Chincoteague. Chincoteague Minnow is under the Tobiano link and Chesapeake Lightning is under the Sabino link.
Misty’s Heaven
Everything you ever wanted to know about Misty of Chincoteague! This website is run by Matt DesJardins and Amanda Geci, and it is evident by their website that they really are Chincoteague Pony Lovers. Misty’s Heaven documents Misty’s life as well as the Misty Family Ponies and bloodlines. Be sure to check out the Misty’s Heaven Blog too!
The Chincoteague Pony Association
A must for any Chincoteague Pony lover. Registering your Chincoteague pony helps to keep track of all the ponies that left the island. The money they earn also goes to help feed and care for the wild ponies of Assateague Island. All three of the trick ponies are registered with the Chincoteague Pony Associations, we also make yearly donations to help their cause.
Thousand Welcomes Farm
A Chincoteague Pony Breeding farm located in Chapel Hill, NC. This is also where my own Blitz and Boomer were bred and raised. A wonderful family run farm that produces an excellent herd of ponies, I highly recommend if you are on the market for a new pony.
The Feather Fund
A wonderful non-profit group that continues the work of Carollyn Suplee by helping deserving children to purchase their very of own Chincoteague Pony. I think its a wonderful organization that brings the magic of the Chincoteague Ponies into a child’s home.
The Chincoteague Pony Centre
The oldest established breeder of Misty Family Ponies, also the once home to Chincoteague Minnow. During the summer season they put on a wonderful pony show at the Pony Centre, Minnow also performs here during Pony Penning week. They also have a gift shop and during the summer months the foals can be seen playing outfront. During the off season the ponies reside off the island on the Allen Family Farm.
