Posts Tagged ‘pony

The Super Painting Ponies

Halloween is one of my favorite “Holidays”, mostly in part because I have always loved creating costumes. None of my animals are safe during Halloween time, and even the ponies got in on the fun the other day as they so kindly allowed me to dress them up as Super Ponies!

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

Our adorable trio make for some pretty striking Super Heroes!

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

Our two brothers, Blitz and Boomer, made for a particularly adorable pair. And I’m pretty sure Blitz was convinced that younger brother Boomer was dressed as his sidekick.

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

Of course somehow Boomer always manages to steal the show…..

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

But Blitz was determined to be top Super Pony, and he showed us just how fast he can fly!

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

I’m pretty sure if I was in need of rescuing I’d want these Super Heroes to save me!

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

Meanwhile on the sidelines, adorable Ammo was in charge of all costume changes….

The Super Painting Ponies // Super Heroes

If you want to check out what Ammo dressed up as for Halloween, be sure to check out his blog post!

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Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at Fair Hill International

Over the weekend I attended the Fair Hill International Event to watch my friends from the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team perform. The Fair Hill International Event is one of the most prestigious international three day events in the world.

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

The Drill team was fantastic, and it was fun getting to watch them perform so close to home.

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team at the Fair Hill International

You can check out Ammo’s recap of the day on his blog.

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Pony Penning 2013: Chincoteague Pony Auction

The Pony Auction was held on Thursday, and kicked off with a great performance by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team.

I stayed throughout the whole auction and was able to photograph all the foals that came through.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Auction // Painting Pony

Prices ranged from about $600 – $2,500 for the foals that you were able to take home, but the buybacks always seem to go the highest.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Auction // Painting Pony

The foals that are marked as buybacks can be purchased at the auction but they get to go back to Assateague to live out the rest of their days as a wild pony. So essentially you are making a donation to the fire company and you get the right to name your foal.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Auction // Painting Pony

This year the highest priced foal was a cute little black and white filly that was designated as a buyback.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Auction // Painting Pony

This foal sold for $12,000 and was purchased by a woman for her 80th Birthday. The auction crowd promptly sang her Happy Birthday as she entered the ring to meet her foal.

Later in the auction there was another foal purchased by a 100 year old woman – who’s dream was to own a pony. Her’s was a buyback foal as well for $10,000.

Someday I would love to purchase a foal from the auction, but that day was not this year. Regardless it’s always fun to watch the auction as people’s dreams come true!

Incase you missed it you can read our other posts on the 2013 Pony Penning:
Beach Walk HERE
Painting Ponies HERE
Pony Swim HERE

You can check out all the photos from the beach walk, pony swim and auction HERE. They are also available for purchase!

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Pony Penning 2013: Chincoteague Pony Swim

The highlight for many who attend Chincoteague Pony Penning is the annual Pony Swim. I love watching the swim and taking photos and with this being my 6th year attending – I pretty much have a system down for getting a great spot for photos.

So on Wednesday morning my mom and I hiked down to Pony Swim Lane and into the swamp to find a spot to stand in the bay. As we were waiting for slack tide for the ponies to swim across a dark storm cloud began to approach behind us.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Just as the dark cloud was upon us the coast guard set off the flare to let us know that it was slack tide and the ponies were ready to swim.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Within minutes it was POURING rain, I was drenched and I was worried my camera would be damaged. Most people ran to hide under a nearby dock, while others left the pony swim site with crying children all together. But the diehards rode out the storm and cheered as the ponies dove into the water. I was among those diehards.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

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Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

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Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Once the ponies were safely ashore they evacuated the area pretty quickly. So I didn’t get to stick around too long to take photos of them.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Eventually we made the soggy wet walk back to the fairgrounds to see the saltwater cowboys herd the ponies into the pen.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

I watched the ponies in the pens for a while, it’s always fascinating to see the stallions round-up their mares and try to keep the other stallions away.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony Swim // Painting Pony

This year’s swim was definitely one for the record books and I’m sure I will always remember it!

Tomorrow I’ll be back with photos from the auction. You can read our other posts on the beach walk HERE, and our painting ponies HERE.

You can check out all the photos from the beach walk, pony swim and auction HERE. They are also available for purchase!

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Pony Penning 2013: Painting Pony Performs in Chincoteague

Each year our ponies are invited to perform during Pony Penning week at the Chincoteague Pony Centre. This great honor is the main purpose of our trip each year – and something we look forward to.

This year we decided to bring two ponies, the ever talented Chincoteague Minnow and his buddy Chesapeake Boomerang. This was Boomer’s first trip to Pony Penning and his first time ever performing tricks in front of a crowd.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Boomer settled in quite easily, and Minnow enjoyed having a buddy to boss around with him. Minnow quickly took on the roll of head “stallion” and kept a close eye on his younger pal Boomerang.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

One of the first ponies they met on the trip was Boomer’s little half sister Juniper, who had been born on the last day of June. Boomer was particularly fascinated by her, and took every chance he had to get close to her.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Juniper reminded me a lot of Boomer, fearless and brave – not much fazed her, even as she plodded around the arena in the nightly shows at the Pony Centre.

When it came time for our boy’s performances in the Pony Shows at the Centre Minnow performed like the pro he is.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Minnow opened each show by painting a special work of art that would later be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Minnow always does his best work while on the island, and he created 8 wonderful paintings that all went off to happy new homes.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Later in the show Minnow came back out for everyone to sing Happy Birthday to him as we celebrated his 20th Birthday. He loved being the center of attention.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Now Boomer had spent the weeks leading up to Pony Penning learning a trick skit that he would perform during the shows. Having never even performed in public before let alone learn an entire performance, this was a completely new experience for Boomer. And honestly I wasn’t sure how he would react.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Boomer’s skit was based on the idea that he was headed off to Trick Pony School, and as his teacher I had lessons that he had to learn. Here you see me holding up a photo of Misty shaking hands with Marguerite Henry, and then asking him to mimic the photo by shaking my hand.

The first time Boomer entered the arena things seemed to be going well, and then the crowd let out a cheer and applause and he about jumped out of his skin – bolting to the gate. I was able to get him to return to his pedestal to perform each trick, but every time the crowd clapped he would again bolt to the gate.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Amazingly Boomer performed every single trick I asked him to – including his spectacular sit on the beanbag trick, he was just clearly frightened of the clapping. But about the 3rd performance in he started to get over it and by the end of the week he could of cared less that people were cheering and clapping for him.

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Boomer got so into his performances that he knew the order of tricks that were coming before I could even ask him to perform them. I would have to rush to get his beanbags set up for him before he decided just to sit on the ground!

I was so pleased with how he did, and I think everyone loved his big personality. He did a wonderful job showing just how smart and talented these Chincoteague Ponies are, and I’m sure this is just the first of many performances for Boomer.

On our last day on the island Boomer got to compete in the Pony Show’s Extreme Pony Race – I think he was a bit surprised to enter the arena this time with a jump in front of him, but he did well – and only threw in a few small bucks! I was relieved he didn’t decide to show the crowd his bronco bucking skills!

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

Pony Penning 2013 // Chincoteague Pony // Painting Pony

By the end of the week I was so proud of both of my boys. Thinking back on how far both of them have come, and how talented and amazing they are makes me proud. I love being able to share these amazing ponies with people and I hope everyone that gets to meet them think they are just as special as I do.

Tomorrow I’ll be back to share all about of experience at the epic Chincoteague Pony Swim, and you can read all about the Beach Walk in yesterday’s post.

You can check out all the photos from the beach walk, pony swim and auction HERE. They are also available for purchase!

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