All in the family: a grandfather-grandson Saltwater Cowboy duo share Pony Penning passion

Walking into Patsy and David Savage's home on Chincoteague Island, framed photographs decorate their space with memories of Pony Pennings from years past. 

Patsy shows off photos of her husband riding horseback. She jokes the only photos she has of David are of the back of his head: riding horses, corralling ponies and other jobs in or out of the saddle.  

David is a Saltwater Cowboy and started riding in the Pony Penning events around 12 or 13 years old. He is now 68. He picked up the Chincoteague tradition from his father and has passed it down to his 19-year-old grandson, Cody Britton, who started riding in the event at 16. 

“I’ve always seen a Saltwater Cowboy as somebody who’s been around, somebody who loves horses and loves to do for them,” Britton said about what he and his grandfather do. 

Saltwater Cowboys are one of the backbones of the island's annual Pony Penning event. The event, running this year from July 22-28, brings in people from all over the country and world to watch the Saltwater Cowboys and the Chincoteague ponies during various events like the well-known pony swim. 

It's common for the Saltwater Cowboy tradition to be passed down through generations. David said he picked it up from his father and then passed it down to Britton. Patsy's dad also rode, so the 19-year-old has plenty of family men to emulate. 

Britton said he's watched his relatives ride since he was a little boy. 

“It’s all I grew up around, so I obviously followed in everybody’s footsteps with it," he said. 

RELATED: Saltwater cowboys pass on Pony Penning tradition

Training to become a Saltwater Cowboy involves plenty of listening. David said young men watched the older men and listened to what they said. You'd learn where to ride and how to take care of the horses, he said.

And if someone told you to do something, you'd do it, David explained. 

Now, the rules of riding are a bit different than when David was growing up. Both men agreed there are more cowboys and bigger crowds than there were years back. Fenced-in areas designate where to ride and horse trailers are used for transport. But, the love and work behind Pony Penning is still the same. 

“It’s not just one week here and there,” Britton said.

“No, it’s 365 days,” David responded. 

While visitors come for a one-week event, David and Britton are working daily with their horses, keeping them healthy and active. David also works with the ponies who are a part of the buyback program where guests at the auction buy ponies to place back into their habitat.

But, the week of Pony Penning is still a special event for David and Britton. Both will be involved in this year's festivities. Britton will ride every day except the final day when the ponies swim back. David will ride as much as he can throughout the week. 

“I don’t know any different," David said about why he keeps doing it year after year.

He doesn't have one specific part of the week that is his favorite and he's turned down a week's worth of pay to be able to participate. For Britton, his favorite part is Monday when the cowboys bring the ponies down the beach from the north end to the south end. 

“It’s always just the prettiest day with the horses coming down the beach," he said. 

Patsy holds up a photo of a younger David and Britton riding their horses down the beach side-by-side. It's one of her favorites, showcasing her husband and her grandson. 

Britton said he hopes to take on as many responsibilities as his grandfather has as he ages. Patsy said he's always listened to David – especially when it comes to horses.    

“He’s an outstanding rider,” she said of her grandson.  

On Twitter: @The_MegRyan