August/Septemer 2026 Issue

By Lois Szymanski Pony Penning 2026 began Saturday, July 25, as cowboys rounded up the southern bands of wild ponies on Assateague Island. De- spite a rainy ride, the ponies and foals arrived at the pens in good condition. Days earlier, a new foal had been spotted with Fancy Free, but by mid-afternoon the mare had abandoned it. Because she had also deserted her 2025 foal, the buckskin pinto was taken to the medical building and placed with EJ, a mare from the Leonard family’s Chincoteague Pony Farm. EJ had already adopted and raised Fancy Free’s previous foal and an orphan in 2024. After receiving a plasma transfusion and overnight monitoring, the foal was doing well with his experienced nurse mare. The northern bands came in Sunday. Veterinarians found a gash on Raven’s leg, treated it and moved her and her foal to the medical building. A full recovery is expected. Four young northern stallions were also trailered to the carnival pens to prevent confrontations with mature stallions. During Monday’s Beach Walk, the northern bands traveled down the shoreline to the south corral against a backdrop of sea, sand and sunrise. On Tuesday, seven buyback foals were selected to remain on the island and help maintain genetic diversity. The only colt was #38, out of Rumor by Ace or Maverick. Fillies select- ed were #5, #14, #15, #66, #73 and #82. Spray paint identified each pony’s status. Orange marked po- nies that would be trailered rather than swim, including older an- One More Into the History Books Chincoteague’s 101st Pony Penning delivered new foals, dramatic rescues and $635,600 for the herd’s care.