Chincoteague Pony Auction sets records

By Allen Hamilton

Following a picture perfect swim Wednesday at Chincoteague’s 98th Annual Pony Penning, the bidding at Thursday’s auction was as hot as the weather. 

The day kicked off with the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team doing a demonstration with five Chincoteague Ponies and the crowd standing for the national anthem. The bidding reached a fever pitch when the 3rd foal out the gate, a Palomino colt buy back sold for an astonishing $34,000 purchased by the Legacy Group, which eclipsed last year’s record bid of $32,00o. The Legacy Group also purchased the record in 2015.

Another well known group, the Feather Fund, was on hand purchasing two foals for $6,700 and $7,200 respectively. The Buyback Friends purchased two buy backs and a third foal which brought $35,000, $24,000 and $8,500 but the big news of the day came when bidding on horse number 72 reached $43,000, a new all time record. This is the 2nd year of both online and on site bedding.

Tim Jennings, auctioneer for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, celebrated his 24th year did as usual an outstanding job. Hunter Leonard, media spokesman for the fire company, announced that the fall pick up will be august 26 and the fall round up will be the end of September. 

This year’s totals at Thursday’s auction are as follows: total foals sold 71, total amount raised $479,100, which broke last year’s record of $450,200, average bid $6,747, low bid $1,800, high bid $43,000.

Friday, about an hour later than Wednesday’s swim, the famous Assateague herd will return to their native Assateague Island until next year when they will again make their much anticipated swim the last Wednesday of July.