Dreams come true at 2017 Chincoteague Pony Auction

Cheers erupted and tears were shed on the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds as winning bidders took ownership of their own ponies from Assateague Island. 

Following up Wednesday's Pony Swim, the Pony Auction brought a large crowd on Thursday, July 27, with the event starting at 8 a.m. A hazy morning turned into a sunny afternoon as guests waited out in lawn chairs to place the highest bid on their favorite foal. 

The Pony Auction is the final event in Pony Penning week before the swim back on Friday, July 28. The auction serves as a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, but also as a way to control the population of Assateague's wild ponies. 

Guests can bid on a colt or filly available to take home, or a buy-back pony. Buy-back ponies return to their natural habitat on Assateague, spending the rest of their lives on the island and replenishing the herd. 

A total of 62 ponies were auctioned off this year. According to an unofficial tally, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company raised a record-breaking total of $210,000 with ponies going for an average of $3,387. Ten of the 62 ponies were buy-backs. 

Every bidder had their own story and connection to the foals, made famous by the book "Misty of Chincoteague." 

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For Rachael Ellis and Cindi Herman, two Chincoteague Legacy Group administrators, the importance of the auction is keeping the legacy alive. 

“I don’t ever want to see these ponies off this island," Ellis said. "They just make it. They just have stolen our hearts.”

The Chincoteague Legacy Group began in 2015 as an organization that is dedicated to purchasing buy-back ponies. The group raises money to purchase ponies and donates its leftover funds to the Chincoteague Pony Rescue, an organization dedicated to rescuing and finding new homes for Assateague ponies. 

The group purchased multiple ponies Thursday. Its first was one of the earlier ponies brought out during the auction, sold for $8,400. Its second was purchased for $15,000. 

Last year, the Legacy Group had enough money left over to donate to the Feather Fund as well, Herman said. The fund is a charity created to help selected children purchase a pony.  

The group sees importance in its donations, especially to the Chincoteague fire department. Herman said supporting the firemen is extremely important for the ponies' well-being, as a portion of the funds raised Thursday goes to the ponies' veterinary care. 

Every year, the fire company donates the proceeds of one buy-back pony to a selected charity. This year, The Kiwanis Club of Chincoteague was selected. The chosen pony sold for $7,100. 

"It will go toward what the club sees necessary," said Kiwanis President John Sparkman. 

Sparkman was elated to be chosen by the fire company and plans to use the donated money toward helping children and senior citizens through the Kiwanis Club. 

As for the Feather Fund, the charity represented two young girls this year. At separate times, each girl waved her feather in the air, signaling her perfect foal had arrived. 

California resident Kensington Nelson, 13, said becoming a Feather Fund recipient became a dream of hers last summer. 

“I read 'Misty of Chincoteague' when I was young(er) and last year we were taking a vacation to Virginia," she said. "When we found out about the Pony Penning week we were like, ‘Oh yeah, we can incorporate that into our vacation,’ and when we came here I saw the Feather Fund girls bidding and I was like, ‘Oh that’s so cool.’" 

Nelson did her research and applied to be a recipient. She said she's had eyes for months on a few of the foals, and when she saw her pony, she knew it was the one. The Feather Fund purchased her male pony for $2,200.

“I’m really excited to create and share a bond between my pony and I," she said. 

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Nelson has horse experience, but hasn't owned her own pony for about three years. This is her first pony from Chincoteague. 

“Chincoteague ponies are just so special," she said. "They have this shine to them.”

As for Texas residents Sydney Moore, 16, and Kiera Dunn, 15, the Pony Auction was especially emotional. 

This is Moore's 11th year attending and Dunn's first. Moore owns Assateague ponies, but this year the two wanted to give back and purchased a buy-back pony. 

For Dunn, purchasing a buy-back pony needs no explanation since its essentially buying its freedom. 

"This is amazing," she said through tears. "I can't describe it."

On Twitter: @The_MegRyan