Pony Swimback on Chincoteague Island

in #beautifulsunday5 years ago




To live. To love. To do something that brings joy to your soul. Mayhap your heart has never been in bloom – and that would be a shame. To experience this passion, embrace the magic. It's so very intriguing, isn't it?

Assateague Island, split between the state of Maryland and Virginia, is a barrier island and is protected as a National Seashore on the Maryland side and as a National Wildlife Refuge on the Virginia side. It is here that the Chincoteague Ponies live in the saltwater marshes, wild and free. There is only one way on and off for them… and so begins the swim back home.... until the next penning. It has been a great Pony Week on Chincoteague island and just so appropriate that they go home on this #BeautifulSunday. Sublimely so.

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The Saltwater Cowboys are a never fail. They do an awesome job.

E.V.E.R.Y. S.I.N.G.L.E. Y.E.A.R.

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The Saltwater Cowboys paraded the ponies from the Carnival Grounds back to Pony Swim Lane where they will swim back to the island. They are truly passionate and their love shows in all their actions. Even though it is a long week with literally thousands of people clamoring to be close to them, they are always interacting Not only are they there for the round-up but, they are committed to spreading their knowledge of the surrounding bio-life and securing a future for these beautiful equines. They are all volunteers and do it for the sheer love of it.



Today is brought to you by #BeautifulSunday by @Ace108 where you show off how you spend your day and also #SublimeSunday by @c0ff33a where any random post will do.

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Are we there yet? Oh, my little ponies. How I love thee.

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It was hot. It is close to one hundred degrees and I am drenched in my own sweat. Totally wet and we haven't even hit the water yet.


So, let us take a moment or three to stop and smell the roses, so to speak...

As always, there is a flower. Always. This picture is for #SundayPurple #ColorChallenge by @Kalemandra., who colors my world.

Bee the person you have imagined yourself, if only for a moment, a moment in time.

”Stop thinking so much and go where your heart takes you” Lori Deschene


Guiding them towards the water for the swim back to their island. I sigh just a bit, knowing that this is the beginning of the end. To be able to be so up close and personal with the entire herd is beyond a dream.

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They jump in and begin their swim. Some of the ponies turn back towards the shore and try to come back, so they whip the water to move them in the right direction. This week was so much fun and attention, perhaps they want to stay longer?


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Day is done. The Saltwater Cowboys turn their horses towards the action at the Fairgrounds, where there is still excitement leftover from the pony auction and the raffle for Queen Neptune, which is the designated name for the first foal to make it to the beach in the swim.


Today is a #BeautifulSunday by @Ace108, where we share our day in the most possibly beautiful way that we can. I find myself sighing with contentment as I sit in my garden of life, and I will call it a day, a definitely #SublimeSunday in the making, by the Meister of my morning, @c0ff33a. I do love my @c0ff33 and he likes eclectic! A definite match made in my heaven.

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And just like that, the pony swim is done. I want to thank @ace108 and @c0ff33a for hosting these challenges and just so you know, although much sun and shine was used up today, I can guarantee that there is still a little left in my heart. Have a most fabulous day!



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Thank you for visiting and reading my post 💖 Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.


I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire



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To know the Saltwater Cowboys do all that work for free is beyond amazing! Certainly some quality people involved.

I can see why you enjoy the event so much. The excitement and the camaraderie would be so cool to experience, not to mention the bonding with nature!

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@dswigle wrote lately about: Pony Swimback On Chincoteague Island Feel free to follow @dswigle if you like it :)

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I grew up riding my cousins' polo ponies In New Mexico as a kid, and have always been a bit soft in the head about horses, and all animals.

I always wanted horses as well, but growing up in L.A it wasn't exactly practical, though my cousin Terry did jokingly offer me one of his horses once.

I fell in love with the Chincoteague ponies the first time I read about them, but haven't seen them in person as yet, though I did love the film "Violets Are Blue" thanks in large part to their presence.

And I am SO grateful to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department for their terrific work in managing the herds, as theirs is a 1,000% improvement over the way the BLM has mismanaged the mainland wild mustangs, resulting in systematic abuse and inbreeding.

ALL wild horses deserve far better, and I'm so grateful that the Chincoteague horses have such avid support and care. Hopefully the BLM will get a clue and follow suit.

Thanks for this wonderful series.

And who knows . . . I now live on acreage, and we have a good barn, so horses may yet be in our future.

Do you ride your Henry, or is he more a pasture pet?

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He is an amazingly smart guy and loves to ride and jump. He is definitely a gorgeous dressage baby. :)

That's awesome to hear.
So happy that he's found a great home.

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To experience this passion, embrace the magic. It's very intriguing....your compliment very meaningful.

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Thank you. I hope you got a chance to read it all. ;)

Have a most amazing day!

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@dswigle wrote lately about: Pony Swimback On Chincoteague Island Feel free to follow @dswigle if you like it :)

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I was hunting for the photo where you jumped onto one of the ponies and rode it bare back through the water - or are you keeping that as a limited edition?

Some great photos of the horse riders, although they are lacking in flowers a little - could have done with a pretty flower tucked into a saddle or hat!

Fascinating how the ponies swim back to the island, I wonder if they enjoy it? !COFFEEA

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Sounds like a big project altogether.
I wonder what do the horses think when they get into the water.

"To do something that brings joy to your soul." I love that. That's the way to combat the monotony of life.

Thank you for taking us to these ponies again. This sure is a beautiful way to unwind, and to stop to smell the roses!

Have a beautiful night, Denise.

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