Market Friday: Chincoteague Pony Auction: Don't Forget to Pay the Lady!

over 2 years ago (Edited)

The Saltwater Cowboys rounded up the northern herd on Sunday, close to daybreak. They allowed them to rest for a short while, then the mares and foals were separated at the carnival fairgrounds. This is where the auction usually takes place and the foals stay there until their pick-up day. The remaining herd will be released back into the wild. If this seems harsh, keep in mind that to keep the herd at a sustainable size, most of the foals are actioned off.

Mother and babies spent their last night together, unbeknown to them. The very next day will be a whole new life for them. The last auction was in 2019. Seems like forever ago that they were able to run wild, taking a stroll on the beach in the sun. The Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction is an annual event that is always held on the last week of July. It is sponsored by the caretakers of these free-spirited ponies, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. This year brought us the 97th year of the Chincoteague's Pony Swim/Parade and Auction. A few select foals are kept as buybacks. These are selected for dominant traits they may have, allowing them to replenish the herd.

How to Bid:

Arrive early! It is always crowded and I always like to get as close to the front as possible. There are no bleachers, so bring a chair.
Sunscreen!! It is always hot and you won't want to leave. Your pony may be brought up next! Bring water or make sure you get a drink before taking your seat. I bring a notebook and a pen to write the winning bids down. I have been keeping track of the bids.
No registration is necessary for the in-person auction. If you raise your hand, you bid. Simple as that! This year, for the very first time, they had both online and in-person. It was live, so if you couldn't be there, you could still bid. You must register prior to the auction.

Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.

Each year the Fire Company designates a select few ponies as "Buy Backs". A Buy Back Pony is a foal that is designated by the Fire Company to return to Assateague Island to live out its life there. The Buy Back Pony will be auctioned with the rest of the foals. The winner of a Buy Back Pony will get to name the Pony before it is returned to Assateague. Buy Back Ponies replenish the herd on Assateague. Buy Back Ponies have actually become some of the highest-priced ponies sold at the auction.

Proceeds from the sale of one foal annually go to a regional charity. Past recipients have included Wounded Warriors, Hospice, Palliative Care of the Eastern Shore, and Alzheimer's Adult Care.

Each year the Feather Fund helps deserving children purchase ponies at the auction. The Feather Fund is a charity that was created to honor the memory of Carollynn Suplee, a woman who came to Chincoteague annually to help children buy ponies at the auction until she passed away from cancer in 2003. To learn more visit www.featherfund.org. See enire Chincoteague Island Pony Swim Guide here.

I am always amazed at how gentle these wild ponies are. It must have something to do with not feeling threatened. It was hot and humid. If it wouldn't have made a speckle, I might have lined up with the little kids to get hosed off.

Look at her. Doesn't her nose sort of look like a heart? I think it does and, of course, so did the person bidding on her. You can never go wrong with a heart. ❤️

There was one little glitch that I have never seen before. One pony was sold to two people. The mix-up was the result of serious miscommunication. The person with all the kids got to keep the pony and the other person was happy to pick another pony in its place. Everyone left happy.