$\"Specators$

Specators brave the swamp for the 2009 Pony Swim<\/p><\/div>\n

$\"The$

The salwater cowboys make their way through the swamp<\/p><\/div>\n

This year though, I decided not to wake up at the crack of dawn. Instead I woke up around 7am, stopped by the Pony Center to feed and check on Minnow, and then proceeded on to the swim site with my mom around 7:30am. We walked a few blocks to Pony Swim Lane (where the horses come ashore) and then proceeded to treck across the swamp to the landing area. And when I say swamp, I mean swamp. You sometimes fall in the muddy, mucky water up to your knees and you better wear sneakers because the crabs are all around ready to prey on unsuspecting victims. So after braving the swamp I was able to squeeze my way under the food bridge for a pretty good spot to view the swim. Luckily I have a telephoto lense on my camera, so even though I had to stand behind several people I was still able to get some nice shots.<\/p>\n

$\"2009$

2009 Chincoteague Pony Swim<\/p><\/div>\n

Seeing the ponies cross the water is such a beautiful site to me. I invision Minnow as a tiny foal braving the water to come ashore. I so wish I could have been there in 1993 when he was a tiny little thing. I believe he was one of the smallest of the herd that year (hence the name Chincoteague Minnow).<\/p>\n

$\"Surfer$

Surfer Dude 1992 Stallion<\/p><\/div>\n

Anyway so with the herd ashore I had no time zeroing in on my favorite stallion, Surfer Dude. He is the favorite to many with his stunning silver dapple coat color and his blonde mane and tail. I’m lucky to own a Sufer Dude grandson, Boomerang. I have developed this theory that Minnow and Surfer Dude are full bothers. Surfer Dude being a 1992 buy-back foal and Minnow being born a year later in 1993 its certainly plausable. Both boys have the same build and body type, and their matching muscle necks are unmistakable! So since there is no way for me to know who Minnow’s dam and sire are, because they didn’t start keeping accurate records until 1994, I have determined in my own little fantsy world that Minnow and Surfer Dude are full brothers! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

$\"Riptide$

Riptide looks for his mom<\/p><\/div>\n

So as I watched the combined herds grazing on shore I notice a lively colt making his way through the crowd, obviously looking for his mom. As he got closer, my mouth dropped, Surfer Dude had a look-alike son! This stunning cold dawned his father’s blonde locks and silver dapple coat as well as a beautiful blaze. I was in love! I watched as Surfer’s son found his mother, a chestnut named Southern Belle, and the pair stuck close to Surfer Dude’s side. Now I know I was not the only one with eyes for the Surfer Dude colt, as word quickly spread around the island of the new beauty. “Surfer Dude’s Riptide” as he was later named ended up fetching the highest price tag at the auction as a last minute buy-back (meaning he would never have to leave the island again) of $11,700. Yeah I definitely didn’t have that in pocket change. But the good news is that Riptide returned to the island. Which means in a few years he will be producing beautiful foals just like his predessesor father, Surfer Dude. Which also means that possibly in 4-5 years I may have the chance to buy a Riptide colt! (I say colt because I’ve never been good with mares\/fillies). That news is very exciting to me, I think Riptide will be sure to produce some wonderful offspring and I hope that I maybe one day I will own one of them!<\/p>\n

$\"Riptide$

Riptide finds his mother, Southern Belle<\/p><\/div>\n

To see all of my photos from the swim and auction visit www.greenhorsestudios.com<\/p>\n

-KD
\nwww.ponypaintings.com<\/a><\/p>\n

$\"Surfer$

Surfer Dude's Riptide<\/p><\/div>\n

$\""Passing$

"Passing of the Torch" Father, Son, Mom<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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