Misty of Chincoteague

Slide 1 :By: Halie Chincoteage Ponies


Slide 2 :The Chincoteague Pony is a hardy breed that originates on the Atlantic island of Assateague. The breed varies greatly in physical characteristics since there is no true breed standard. Chincoteague are known for being easy keepers and often do not require shoes. Most Chincoteague are between 13 and 14.2 hands, but some have been known to reach 16 hands. Chincoteague come in most all colors and patterns, with pinto being the most popular and the most prevalent. Chincoteague have excelled in the show ring in a variety of disciplines. The Chincoteague Pony Association was established in 1994. All ponies sold by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department are eligible for registration as well as those bred by private breeders. There are a number of Chincoteague Pony breeders scattered around the United States, the Chincoteague Pony Breeders Association was established in 2006. Several of these breeders also breed descendents of Misty of Chincoteague The Virginia feral ponies are owned by Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. The government allows the fire department to keep a maximum of 150 adult ponies in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. For over 80 years, on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, Pony Penning is held on Chincoteague. The herds on Assateague are rounded up, and on Wednesday of Pony Penning week the ponies swim from Assateague to Chincoteague. The ponies are held in a pen at the carnival grounds on Chincoteague until they swim back on Friday morning. On Thursday, an auction of most of the foals is held with a few kept as future breeding stock. The proceeds of the auction are used to care for the feral ponies and finance Chincoteague’s fire department. A second roundup is held in the fall for a vet check, an informal sale of the foals born after Pony Penning, and the foals sold in July that were too young to be weaned are picked up by their owners.


Slide 3 :Because the Island is so remote, during the 1920s two fires devastated the Town of Chincoteague. In May 1924, determined that these events would not happen again, a small group of men organized the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. At this meeting, the men discussed efforts to buy an American La France pumper (capacity 750 gallons) and 2,000 feet of hose. They opted for this purchase in June 1924. In order to pay for these pieces of equipment, the firemen held their first carnival, which included a "Pony Penning Day." The proceeds were used as the initial payment on the equipment. With the exception of the war years, between 1942 & 1943, the carnival and the penning have been sponsored by the fire company every year since its organization. That will make the 1998 Event the 73rd Annual. All money realized from these events is used to carry on the work of the volunteer company. The wild ponies residing in the Maryland side of Assateague are owned and cared for by the U.S. Park Service. They are referred to as Assateague Ponies.. Before the refuge was established in 1943, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department had maintained their herd of ponies on the island. In 1946, an annual grazing permit system was established for the Chincoteague Ponies.


Slide 4 :Hope you liked my PowerPoint Bye!