Chincoteague: Part II.
Chincoteague’s 2022 pony penning is over. On Friday the herd swam back to Assateague Island where it’ll stay until the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July 2023.
A number of foals were left behind, however. They were sold at the pony auction Thursday morning. The proceeds of the sales go to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.
One of the highlights of the auction was the bidding for the “buy-back” ponies. Two lucky foals were selected to be auctioned purely for charity. The successful bidders got to name “their” foals and were photographed with them. But the youngsters returned to Assateague with the herd where they will live out their lives in the wild.
The first buy-back set a record: $30,000. And as I watched the bidder posing for a photograph with his filly I was touched by his extraordinary generosity.
At moments like that you’re reminded that America is full of good people, but too often governed by craven leaders.
The herd resting after Wednesday’s channel swim.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival draws thousands of visitors during pony week. That’s my granddaughter and me in the third car from the bottom.
Greeting one of the ponies on Main Street. That’s Misty’s Irish Mist, a great-great-great-grandson of the legendary Misty of Chincoteague. I THINK that’s the correct number of greats!
Carnival Bingo!
The only ponies that didn’t swim.
