Posts Tagged ‘chesapeake lightning
Painting Pony DVD release!
For the past month my family has been working on a little project. My younger brother, Taylor, is a talented filmmaker and editor, and my younger sister, Laurel, has a special talent for photography. Armed with a fleet of talented trick ponies, and a Dachshund, we decided to make a new Painting Pony DVD.
With my brother up from his home in North Carolina, we spent one day shooting out at Iron Horse Farm. The ponies were amazing – performing their tricks over and over again so my siblings could get the right shots – even Ammo endured the hot day in his flannel stuntdog gear so we could capture him among the ponies.
I think the end result turned out fabulous! I think it really shows what life is like for the Trick Ponies (and Ammo). I especially love the music, which was mostly created by my brother (who is also a talented musician) along with his band, Cinder Cat – the music gives it a magic feel.
The DVD is available for purchase in our Online Shop. Give it as a gift, send it to a friend – spread the joy of Chincoteague Ponies! We hope it will bring a smile to your face.
And since we want everyone to be able to enjoy the magic of these special ponies and their Dachshund friend, we’ve uploaded the video to youtube. Spread it around! Share it on facebook, twitter, myspace, etc!
Special thanks to….
Taylor Hellhake from Depthink Productions
Cinder Cat
Laurel Hellhake (in collaboration with O’Leary Photographics)
Iron Horse Farm
and
Ammo the Dachshund & The Trick Ponies of Chincoteague!
Countdown to Pony Penning
Minnow at the Chincoteague Pony Centre 2009
In 17 days it will be time once again. Time to pack up a culmination of years worth of work (and a very fat pony) and make the trip down to the Eastern Shore for Pony Penning.
I taught Chincoteague Minnow his very first trick in 2005 – never thinking that it would lead to this. I taught him because I wanted to, because I wanted to have fun with him, because I loved him. What happened after that was just luck.
Minnow at the Pony Centre 2008
Luck, because my desire to connect with my pony led us to do something that we both love. When Minnow was diagnosed with Ringbone in 2008 and I found out I would never be able to ride him again I was crushed. As Minnow sat around day after day watching the comings and goings around the farm his eyes got sadder and sadder. I missed my pony and he missed me.
Then, as luck would have it, I was contacted by Kendy Allen from the Chincoteague Pony Centre. She had heard that Minnow (who once resided at the Chincoteague Pony Centre) had learned to paint. She invited me to meet up with her at a small event in PA – demonstrating what Chincoteague Ponies could do at a feed store.
Minnow at Pony Centre 2009
I was excited, Minnow and I now had something to work towards. We spent a few weeks practicing tricks, and readying our “props”. I had no idea what I was doing. We had a collection of tricks – none of which made sense together – and I didn’t know what to expect. But when we showed up and Minnow painted, crowds started to form around him. Little girls and boys wanted to pet him, and parents snapped pictures of him. I was proud and Minnow was happy. Minnow’s eyes sparkled and right then I knew this is what he was born to do.
Impressed with Minnow’s performance Kendy invited us to come down for Pony Penning week. I obliged, but honestly I was scared. What should I bring? What should we do? Will Minnow be too nervous to perform? What if I fail miserably?
I headed down early for the 4th of July weekend with Minnow so we could have a little “warm-up”. I had never been to Chincoteague Island, nor the Pony Centre, and I was only armed with my bag of tricks, and my painting pony. Looking back, I didn’t need to worry, because Minnow performed like he had been doing so for years!
Our first Pony Penning in 2008 was full of excitement. I fell inlove with the breed all over again when I watched the wild ponies make their annual swim. My heart ached for one of the newborn foals, even Minnow nickered at each one that trotted by him at the Pony Centre. Minnow performed all week and loved it.
In 2009 we spent all year learning new tricks, and even developing a skit to debut at Pony Penning 2009. Minnow’s fans returned at the end of July and even I was impressed at all he had learned in a year.
Upon our return home last year Minnow started to get fan mail. Letters, pictures, and even emails poured in. Minnow was igniting a spark in children for a life-long passion in horses, and he was helping adults fulfill their dreams of meeting a Chincoteague Pony.
As we ready ourselves once again for the 2010 Pony Penning I am reminded of all of Minnow’s fans who have helped him to discover his purpose. We have begun getting emails and messages asking if Minnow will be back at the Pony Centre again. I wonder if Minnow knows how much he is loved? Does he know that his paintings bring joy and happiness to people all around the World?
We both look forward to spreading the joy of horses in a few weeks. Hopefully you can join us, and if not, I’m sure a full recap will follow on the blog!
For a schedule of events check out our website.
New June Paintings
It took me a while to get these up in the shop, but here are two new paintings that are available on the Painting Pony Etsy Shop. Check them out, and don’t forget you only have a few weeks to snag your favorite before all the paintings head to Chincoteague for the annual Pony Penning. Most of them probably won’t be returning! So don’t hesitate if you have a favorite.
"Movie Star" by Minnow, Blitz & Boomer
"Don't Play with your Food" by Blitz
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
Baby Boomer
A newly born Boomerang, March 21, 2003
I’m so excited to share these!! Last week I got a package of Boomer baby photos in the mail from Boomer and Blitz’s breeder. Both Blitz and Boomer were born at 1000 Welcomes Farm in Chapel Hill, NC. The pair share the same stud, Chesapeake Powhattan’s Promise, but different dams. Boomer is out of Tidewater Sufer Chique (a Sufer Dude daughter) and Blitz is out of Tidewater Fable.
As I’m sure you can tell I LOVE both Blitz (originally “Lucky”) and Boomer, so I’m a big fan of the foals that their stud “Squat” produces. If you are in the market for a pony be sure to check out their sales list, one of their foals, John Henry, is already competing under saddle…and he’s gorgeous! John Henry would make an awesome mounted games pony as he looks to be pretty unflappable (I saw a video!) just like my two boys. I’d take them all home if I could!
Anyway, enjoy a trip down memory lane – way back in 2003 when Boomerang was first born.
A yearling Blitz looks out for little brother Boomer. How cute!!
