Misty of Chincoteague - Chincoteague, Virginia

Misty of Chincoteague - Chincoteague, Virginia

Have you ever read, or heard about, the book by Marquerite Henry which was published in 1947?  It is the story of a Chincoteague Pony named Misty.  And yes, there truly is a breed of horses named the Chincoteague Pony with an association that was formed in 1994 to maintain and promote it. 

The story tells of a family, the Beebe's, that raise a pony born to a wild horse.  The book was so popular that it was made into a movie in 1961 called "Misty".  The film was shot in Chincoteague using many of the locals as extras on the film. 

The horses live on Assateague Islands, which is under the care of the National Park Service.  The horses are actually owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department began their connection with the horses in 1925 when they were authorized to hold a carnival during Pony Penning to raise funds to buy equipment needed for the fire department. 

The horses are called pony's because of their smaller, stunted size, but in fact they are horses.  It is believed they are descendants of herds turned loose by early settlers.  The island provided a perfect grazing land with naturally "fenced" boundaries which allowed for them to flourish.  

Once a year in July, Salt Water Cowboys round up the Chincoteague Ponies for auction of Pony Penning Day. This is what was begun, and still is, as a way for livestock owners to claim, brand, break and harness their loose herds.  It began prior to the 1700's and by then had become an annual event with drinking, eating, and party going by those in attendance. Today the Chincoteague Volunteer Firemen's Carnival has the horses herded across the narrowest part of Assateague Channel at low tide, after which they are examined by veterinarians.  After resting period, they are herded through town to a corral at the Carnival Grounds where they stay until they are auctioned off the next day.  The Pony Auction does two things, it is a source of revenue for the fire department and it trims the herd's numbers.  To retain the permit to graze on the refuge, the herd must not exceed 150 horses.

The horses are Pintos, either black and white or red and white and there are some solids in black or brown with white markings.

When the horses swim across the Assateague Channel the first colt to come ashore is the King or Queen Neptune and is given away at the carnival grounds.  The auction of the horses begins at 8 AM and goes until 12 Noon.  On the day after the auction the remaining horses are returned to Assateague.  Just to give you an idea of the prices these horses bring, in 2001 the highest bid for a pony was $10,500 for a black and white pinto filly.

People from all over the world attend the annual Pony Swim and auction.  There are hotels and restaurants on the island to accommodate those coming ot see the horses or to attend the auction and carnival.

After the foals are sold, the stallions and mares are taken back to Assateague Island. 

The movie "Misty" depicted the Pony Swim and auction and one young boy's quest for ownership of a pony.

There are approximately 1980 privately owned Chincoteague Ponies in the United States and Canada.

Because there is such a strong, worldwide interest in Misty he has been immortalized by being placed on display (taxidermy style) at the Beebe Ranch.  Her foal, Stormy is also mounted and on display in the house.  There is the kitchen where Misty was harbored during the "Ash Wednesday Storm of "62" (before she gave birth to Stormy at the vets office in Maryland following the storm.) 

Location: 3062 Ridge Road, Chincoteague, Virginia (The Beebe Ranch)

Admission: Adults $3

Hours: Weekends ONLY - Sept. - November (all first to make sure)

Phone: 757-336-6520