Misty's Red Dawn - Chincoteague Royalty

 By Tiffany Amber Stockton

It's no secret that I have a rather big passion for the ponies on Assateague Island just off the Eastern Shore of Virginia. This year marks the 79th anniversary of the year Misty of Chincoteague (the novel) was published. It's also the 100th annual Pony Penning Day, but I'll cover that in the near future.

If you missed last month's post, you can view it here.

A Chincoteague Legacy Lives On

What would Chincoteague Island be without Misty?

Born on July 20, 1946, at Beebe Ranch, Misty of Chincoteague was the heart of a story that galloped into the dreams of children all over the world. Sired by a chestnut pinto named Pied Piper and out of a smokey black pinto mare named Phantom, Misty had a look all her own. A map of the United States seemed to stretch across one side, and a blaze shaped like Virginia danced down her forehead. These markings stamped her forever as a daughter of this land.

Marguerite Henry first stepped onto Chincoteague in 1946, chasing a story and ending up with a muse. Misty won her heart, and eventually, Clarence Beebe agreed to share the filly after Mrs. Henry promised to include his grandchildren, Paul and Maureen, in the tale. Misty was shipped to Illinois for just $150, but once her story became a bestseller, Grandpa Beebe received another $350 from Rand McNally. That $500 back then would be about $8,000 today. Not a bad payday for lending your horse to an author and giving a pony a purpose.

Misty stayed with Mrs. Henry for over ten years, serving as an ambassador. She shook hooves, stood on stools, and charmed crowds at libraries, schools, theaters, and shows. When it was time to return to her beloved home on the island, over 300 children and 160 adults came to say goodbye at Mole Meadow.

Back on Chincoteague, Misty gave birth to foals, including the famous Stormy. She passed in 1972 at the age of 26. Today, Misty and Stormy remain on display at the Chincoteague Museum, a quiet tribute to the horse who changed everything.

But her story didn't end there.

Her legacy lives on in the generations that followed—including one very special chestnut mare: Misty's Red Dawn. I could barely contain my excitement when one of the handlers at the Kentucky Horse Park told me she was in the next stall. I didn't even know she existed!

Over 60 years ago, my own mother stood for a photo with Misty. Now, I have a photo of Misty's direct descendant.

Misty's Red Dawn carries the spirit of her famous great-great-great-grandmother. She's a living link to a treasured past. Just like Misty was once loaned to Marguerite Henry to help bring her story to life,

Misty's Red Dawn is now on loan to the Kentucky Horse Park. She's representing the Chincoteague ponies, educating visitors, and inspiring a whole new generation.

Meeting Misty's Red Dawn last week felt a little like stepping back in time. Her quiet strength, her calm eyes, her noble posture. She's not just a horse. She's living history and Chincoteague Royalty.

In her, we see the story hasn't ended. It's still being written—hoofprint by hoofprint.

Want to walk where Misty once trotted? Visit Chincoteague Island. Want to meet her legacy in person? Head to the Kentucky Horse Park and say hello to Misty's Red Dawn. Because as Grandma Beebe once said, "Nothing dies as long as there is the memory to enfold it and a heart to love it."

Thanks to Misty, we have plenty of both!

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* Have you ever read or heard of the book, Misty of Chincoteague, or seen the movie, Misty? What do you remember about it?

* Have you ever read a book or seen a movie where a horse was the featured "star"? What was it and what did you like most about it?

* Do you have a favorite book or movie based on an animal? What is it and why is it a favorite?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below.

** This note is for our email readers. Please do not reply via email with any comments. View the blog online and scroll down to the comments section.

Come back on the 9th of each month for my next foray into historical tidbits to share.

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BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has embellished stories since childhood, thanks to a very active imagination and notations of talking entirely too much. Honing those skills led her to careers as an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker, while also working as a professional copywriter/copyeditor. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help them get rooted and live a life of purpose.

Currently, she lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, three dogs, and three cats in southeastern Kentucky. In her 20+ years as a professional writer, she has sold twenty-six (26) books so far and has agent representation with Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.