On the Carnival Grounds - Chincoteague Pony Photos

After Wednesday's swim from Assateague to Chincoteague Island, and then after being herded south on Ridge Road to Beebe Road and then north on Main to the Carnival Grounds, the ponies get to rest and sort themselves out.  For about 18 hours.  Thursday morning (today) is the Pony Auction.  There are sixty (60) foals on the Carnival Grounds at this time - and all will be sold to the highest bidder.  Two foals will go to Feather Fund girls, and either eight or ten fillies will be Buy Backs.  A Buy Back is a foal that is purchased with the right to name the foal, and to have your photo taken with it; but it is then returned to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to live on Assateague for the rest of it's life.  You buy the pony, but leave it behind.
   Most foals will be leaving the island for their new permanent homes. Some will be too young to separate from their mothers at this time; arrangements must be made to pick up these foals at the Fall Round-Up in October. I remember when there were set prices for the colts and fillies; recently the lowest prices have been $350 to $500 and the highest price was $25,000.  Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  No checks.
  Here are photos from the Carnival Grounds on Wednesday...

Saltwater Renegade, the Mystery colt, Bay Girl and Lyra's Vega

have had the pasture to themselves - they look surprised to see

everyone appear...

Riptide and Hoppy have a dispute

Legacy and Surfer Princess snuggle, as usual

Suzy's Sweetheart and her little escape artist

Phantom Mist's last colt and mom Daisy

Misty Mills' filly has a cat on her right shoulder, plus this Star Fleet badge

Kimmee Sue and Ken's filly has one blue eye (her left)