100 Years of Saltwater Cowboys and Penning Ponies

  By Tiffany Amber Stockton

This is it! It's finally July. And that means a special trip with my daughter to the 100th anniversary of the first official Pony Penning Day on Chincoteague Island. I haven't been back to the island where my grandfather was born for nearly ten years, and I just discovered a potential B&B owned by distant family members. If you missed last month's post about some of my family legacy on Chincoteague, you can view it here.

The History of Pony Penning Day on Chincoteague & Assateague Islands

Wild ponies have inhabited Assateague Island for hundreds of years. A lot of evidence says they are the descendants of the survivors of a Spanish galleon which wrecked off the coast of Assateague. This story, which has been passed from generation to generation on Chincoteague Island, is stronger than fiction. :) I heard it myself from my grandfather, and it's common lore among island residents.

If you ever view a shipwreck map of the mid Atlantic coastline, you'll see a remarkable number of shipwrecks. Before modern navigation, ships used lighthouses and the stars to navigate at night. It worked well until a bad storm came up or heavy fog set in, which impaired visibility. This caused ships to get off course and hit sandbars along the coast, which resulted in a lot of wrecks all up and down the eastern coastlines.

These wrecks would usually occur during a storm, and the large waves would beat the wooden ship apart. The large number of shipwrecks, together with it being common for ships to be transporting ponies to the Colonies or South America, makes it very likely that ponies originally got to Assateague from a shipwreck.

A book written in 2007 by Mr. John Amrhein, The Hidden Galleon, suggests the local story about the Spanish galleon is true. In the book, he describes the wreck of the La Galga in 1750, its location, the circumstances surrounding the voyage, the great storm of 1749 which decimated all the livestock on Assateague Island prior to the La Galga wreck, and the appearance of "Beach" Ponies shortly after the demise of the La Galga, along with other evidence. This might not be 100% provable, but the circumstantial evidence he presents is very powerful. You can easily see why this story has been favored for passing down the line. For more information, go to www.thehiddengalleon.com.

History of Pony Penning

Penning began as a way for livestock owners to claim, brand, break and harness their loose herds. By the 1700's it had become an annual event, complete with drinking, eating, and plenty of revelry by the entire community. The earliest known description of Pony Penning was published in 1835. The practice was then already an "ancient" custom held in June on Assateague Island. Penning on Chincoteague Island is not mentioned in print until the mid-1800's, and it's believed to have been begun by two islanders who owned large herds that grazed on Chincoteague.

The penning continued on both islands for years. By 1885, they were held on Assateague one day and Chincoteague the next. Assateague also had a Sheep Penning, which is believed to be a custom even older than the others. Word of the events began to spread, and hotels and boarding houses were booked for the festivities. In 1909, the last Wednesday and Thursday of July were set as the official dates for the yearly events. As Pony Penning increased in popularity, Assateague's Sheep Penning wound down and was discontinued by 1914.

Modern Day Pony Penning

After a string of disastrous fires in the Town of Chincoteague, the villagers realized their fire fighting equipment was seriously inadequate. In 1925, the town authorized the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to hold a carnival during Pony Penning to raise funds. That year, over 15 colts were sold to benefit the fire company, and the carnival was a huge success. Bolstered by the interest in the pony swim, visitors began arriving from across the country for the annual penning.

The crowd in 1937 was estimated at 25,000. The increased revenue from the carnivals and auctions enabled the fire company to modernize its equipment and facilities, and in 1947 it began to build its own herd by purchasing ponies from local owners. They moved the herd to Assateague where the government allowed publicly owned herds to graze on the newly established Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

That same year, 1947, Marguerite Henry published Misty of Chincoteague, the story that made Pony Penning internationally famous. A movie followed, as did several sequel books. The tale of the wild pony Phantom, her foal Misty, and the children who buy and raise her was awarded the Newbery Medal of Honor and has become a classic, still loved and enjoyed by each new generation.

Pony Penning is still held in July during the Chincoteague Volunteer Firemen's Carnival. "Saltwater Cowboys" herd the horses across the narrowest part of Assateague Channel at slack tide (between low and high tides), after which they are again examined by veterinarians. After a resting period, they are herded through town to a corral at the Carnival Grounds where they stay until the next day's auction.

The Pony Auction not only provides a source of revenue for the fire company, but it also serves to trim the herd's numbers. To retain the permit to graze on the refuge, the herd must not exceed 150 horses, so they hold this annual event to keep the herd within limits.

Each year thousands of people flock to Chincoteague Island to watch the Pony Penning and enjoy the Firemen's Carnival. For many of them, the trek to the shores of Assateague Channel on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July has become an annual event, an opportunity to participate in a tradition older than the country itself.

This year, they're projecting nearly 50,000 people in attendance. What have I gotten myself into?

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* Have you ever attended Pony Penning Day on Chincoteague, or is it on your bucket list? What would you most look forward to seeing?

* What do you think makes traditions like Pony Penning so enduring and beloved, even 100 years later?

* The story of the shipwrecked Spanish ponies has been passed down for generations. Do you believe it’s fact, folklore, or a powerful mix of both? Why?

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.

---

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 just 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, two 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.

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.

---

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.

The Beebe Legacy

 By Tiffany Amber Stockton

Last month, the famous horse, Misty of Chincoteague, received spotlight treatment right here. I shared about her birth, how she came to be beloved by children all around the world, and how her name lives on in books penned by Marguerite Henry, as well as in the movie that was made based on the book and the museum established on the island.

If you missed last month's post, you can view it here: https://www.hhhistory.com/2021/04/a-world-famous-horse-misty.html.

THE BEEBE FAMILY

Clarence Beebe

Ida Beebe

To showcase the Beebe's connection to Misty of Chincoteague, you really need to begin with Clarence Beebe, the grandfather from the books. He was born on Chincoteague Island in 1884, four years before the woman who would become his wife in 1906 (Ida Virginia Whealton). Ida also was born on the island, and they both are buried there as well. They had ten children together, but only six of them survived beyond infancy.

As the owner of a horse ranch on the little island, Clarence became known as the "Chincoteague Pony Man." He developed a solid reputation for breeding and gentling ponies from Assateague which he purchased during the annual Pony Penning Day events. Although the book and movie portray Paul and Maureen Beebe as living with their grandparents, that part is fictionalized. The children lived with their parents, but spent a lot of time at the Beebe Ranch.

Paul & Maureen Beebe

When Marguerite Henry visited the island and met the children, she asked them what they wanted most. They told her they wanted to own a real pony. Grandpa Clarence owned many, but he purchased them to sell. He never kept them long. Paul and Maureen wanted a horse of their own.

Misty ended up being that horse.

Maureen & the Phantom

Clarence and Ida had already purchased the Pied Piper and Phantom, and from them came Misty. They operated their busy ranch and were well-known on the island, but their claim to fame came when author Marguerite Henry arrived and witnessed the Pony Penning events, then decided to write about the wild ponies.

Home of Clarence & Ida Beebe

Through an agreement with Clarence Beebe, Ms. Henry purchased Misty for $150 and had her sent to Illinois for a few years before returning her to Chincoteague when Misty was only 11 years old. Misty went on to foal several horses, and her domesticated status allowed her to remain at the BeeBe Ranch where the Beebe family cared for her and her foals. Since Clarence died not long after Misty was bred, Ida asked their son Ralph to take over Misty's care.

Beebe Ranch business card

Ralph and his wife Jeanette took over Beebe Ranch and continued Clarence's legacy. Their son, Billy King Beebe, turned the ranch into a museum and opened it to the public in 1999, and it's been open every summer since. The barn with Misty's and one of her foal's (Stormy) stalls is also on the premises. Memorabilia of the family and the horses they raised is on display at the ranch.

What began as a simple island man with a dream turned into a legacy that's enchanted hundreds of thousands and spanned several generations.

Beebe Ranch museum

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* What legacies exist in your own family that have been passed down through the generations?

* Have you ever read a book that was a fictionalized account of real life in some way only to later discover the "facts" presented in the book were a result of the author's creativity and didn't really happen that way? What was the book and what did the author change?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below. Next month, I'll be sharing about my grandfather and his direct ties to the island of Chincoteague. Come back on the 9th of June to find out more.

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BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help better their lives.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, two dogs, and two cats in Colorado. She has sold twenty (24) books so far and is represented by Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

A World-Famous Horse: Misty

 By Tiffany Amber Stockton

So...who wanted to race out and book tickets to attend the 96th annual Pony Penning Day after reading last month's post? *grins* Not too long and we'll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the event. I bet that will be a celebration not to miss!

Next year is the 75th anniversary of the year Misty of Chincoteague (the novel) was published. That's why my focus this year is on the little island and the horse and the author which made it famous. If all goes well, the first book in my series set on Chincoteague Island will release next year, and a special nod will be given in tribute to Misty, as well as my grandfather, who would have been 6 years old and running around the island at the time my first book is set.

If you missed last month's post, you can view it here: https://www.hhhistory.com/2021/03/wild-pony-annual-swim.html.

MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE

What would this tiny little island be if not for the horse born there which went on to become a beloved children's book feature character and who delighted children all over the world?

Misty of Chincoteague was born on July 20, 1946 at Beebe Ranch on Chincoteague Island, sired by the chestnut pinto Pied Piper. Misty's mother was the smokey black pinto Phantom. Misty stood 12 hands tall and had very unique markings on her coat. What looked like a map of the United States on one side and a blaze shaped like the state of Virginia on her forelock tied her to her home state and country.

Marguerite Henry first visited Chincoteague in 1946 to attend the annual Pony Penning in the hopes of finding a story to write for a book. When she met Misty, it was love at first sight. She wanted to buy Misty to take back with her as the model for her book. Clarence Beebe at first refused, but once Mrs. Henry promised to include his grandchildren (Paul and Maureen) in the book, he agreed. Misty was sold for $150 and once weaned was shipped to Mrs. Henry.

Misty arrived at Mole Meadow in Wayne, Illinois on November 18, 1946. She stayed with Mrs. Henry for over ten years, appearing at schools, movie theaters, museums, libraries, and horse shows. Misty was trained to ride and perform tricks such as standing on a stool and shaking hooves. After Misty's book became a bestseller, the publisher Rand McNally rewarded Clarence Beebe with a $350 check as a thanks for loaning Misty to Mrs. Henry for inspiration. So, "Grandpa" was actually paid $500, which today would be about $5,000! Not a bad payday just for loaning out your horse. *grins*

Misty was sent back to the Beebe's in 1957 for breeding. A goodbye party with over 300 children and 160 adults in attendance was held at Mole Meadow. Misty remained on Chincoteague for the rest of her life where she died in October of 1972 at the age of 26. She was taxidermied and preserved then put on display at the Chincoteague Miniature Pony Farm, where she and her last foal (Stormy) remain today.

Misty may have left us, but she lives on through her books, her descendants, and the millions of people around the world who have read, and will read her story. As Ida "Grandma" Beebe was famously quoted in A Pictorial Life Story of Misty, "Nothing dies as long as there is the memory to enfold it and a heart to love it."

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. Next month, I'll be covering the BeeBee family and their ties to the island. Come back on the 9th of May to find out more.

---

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help better their lives.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, two dogs, and two cats in Colorado. She has sold twenty (24) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

Little Ponies and Saltwater Cowboys

By Tiffany Amber Stockton

Last month, I wrapped up the year's focus on Colorado history featuring a historical marker honoring the very first Christmas in this state. If you missed that post, you can read it here: https://www.hhhistory.com/2020/12/by-tiffany-amber-stockton-last-month-i.html.

Today, it's a new year, so we have a new theme. I'm in the process of writing a 3-book series set on a little island called Chincoteague, just off the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It will feature the stories of my family on my mother's side, many of whom grew up or spent a lot of years on the island.

CHINCOTEAGUE PONIES

I don't know about you, but growing up on the Delmarva Peninsula (made up of the entire state of Delaware, and parts of Maryland and Virginia) meant the 1947 book, Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry was famous in those parts. Everyone I knew had heard of or read this book, and the majority of them had actually been to the island itself.

For me, there's an even more personal connection, as my grandfather (mom's dad) grew up on the island. His father owned a barbershop there where he first learned to cut hair. In 1961, Marguerite's book was made into a movie, and the barber shop was featured in one scene. That shop was sold just prior to WWII when my grandfather's family moved to Washington, D.C. and a Father & Son barbershop was opened on Pennsylvania Avenue. In the early 1950's, my great-grandfather retired and returned to his beloved Chincoteague where he died in 1956. When my grandfather left D.C. to also return to Chincoteague in 1978, he took over ownership of a barbershop and continued cutting hair until he passed away in 1982.

I grew up hearing the stories of Misty and the BeeBee family on which Ms. Henry based her book. It wasn't until I was in my late teens when I realized there are several streets on Chincoteague island named after members of my family. There's no doubt in my mind that this connection is the primary reason for my love of horses as a little girl and even to this day.

So many evenings were spent reading about Misty, drawing pictures of horses, and dreaming one day of owning a horse of my own. We had a family reunion one year on Chincoteague, and it took place right around the time of the annual Pony Penning Day. This is a time when the ponies (who actually live and roam wild on the neighboring Assateague Island) are rounded up by the island's fire department volunteers and driven across the shallow channel between the islands.

This event has been taking place since 1925, and the men who do the roundup are called "saltwater cowboys" as they often have to get into the water with the ponies to keep them swimming toward Chincoteague or help the yearling foals swim.

Ms. Henry highlighted this event in her book, which went on to receive the coveted Newbery Award Medal for children's literature. As a child, I never really questioned much about the horses depicted in photographs, and their size never made a difference to me until I saw them up close and in person this one year during Pony Penning Day.

They weren't much taller than I was, and their bodies appeared to be rather plump. I learned this is because of their diet consisting mostly of the grass from the saltwater marshes surrounding Assateague. The salt actually stunts their growth and causes their bellies to be slightly bloated. There have even been times when these ponies have been connected to the Shetland Ponies, located on the Shetland Isles to the northeast of Scotland, but there is no tie between these two breeds.

For years, I was so enamored by Marguerite Henry and her stories. I've read every single one of her books about horses, and even one about a donkey named Brighty in the Grand Canyon. Once I began writing my own historical fiction, it never dawned on me to use Chincoteague as a setting in any of my books.

During a conversation with an editor at a writer's conference, I realized I had actually been putting Ms. Henry and her stories of Chincoteague on an unreachable pedestal. That editor laughed a bit and told me it had been 65 years since that story was written, which meant it was probably safe to use the island as a setting. (grins)

So, that's what I intend to do this year. That editor is interested in a series set on the island and including some of the stories of my family intertwined with the stories of the primary characters. Over the next several months and possibly through this entire year, I'll be featuring various aspects about Chincoteague and Assateague Islands as they pertain to the research I'll be doing for my newest series. Grab your reins and saddle up with me as we travel along this journey and engage in a little horseplay. *smile*

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* Have you ever read Misty of Chincoteague? Had you even heard of this book before reading this post?

* What is your favorite memory from childhood, and has that memory inspired anything you do or love to this day?

* Do you have any historical connections like this that beg to have their story told? What are they?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments below. Next month, I'll delve more into the history of Chincoteague Island.

---

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help better their lives.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, two dogs, and two cats in Colorado. She has sold twenty (24) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

Miniature Ponies and Saltwater Cowboys

By Tiffany Amber Stockton

New year, new theme. Last year, I delved into the fascinating life of Spencer Penrose and his philanthropic ventures that benefited the city of Colorado Springs. Now, I'm shifting gears and traveling 2000 miles to the east to a little island called Chincoteague, just off the Eastern Shore of Virginia and to the east of the Delmarva Peninsula.

CHINCOTEAGUE PONIES

I don't know about you, but growing up on the Delmarva Peninsula (made up of the entire state of Delaware, and parts of Maryland and Virginia) meant the 1947 book, Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry was famous in those parts. Everyone I knew had heard of or read this book, and the majority of them had actually been to the island itself.

For me, there's an even more personal connection, as my grandfather (mom's dad) grew up on the island. His father owned a barbershop there where he first learned to cut hair. In 1961, Marguerite's book was made into a movie, and the barber shop was featured in one scene. That shop was sold just prior to WWII when my grandfather's family moved to Washington, D.C. and a Father & Son barbershop was opened n Pennsylvania Avenue. In the early 1950's, my great-grandfather retired and returned to his beloved Chincoteague where he died in 1956. When my grandfather left D.C. to also return to Chincoteague in 1978, he took over ownership of a barbershop and continued cutting hair until he passed away in 1982.

I grew up hearing the stories of Misty and the BeeBee family on which Ms. Henry based her book. It wasn't until I was in my late teens when I realized there are several streets on Chincoteague island named after members of my family. There's no doubt in my mind that this connection is the primary reason for my love of horses as a little girl and even to this day.

So many evenings were spent reading about Misty, drawing pictures of horses, and dreaming one day of owning a horse of my own. We had a family reunion one year on Chincoteague, and it took place right around the time of the annual Pony Penning Day. This is a time when the ponies (who actually live and roam wild on the neighboring Assateague Island) are rounded up by the island's fire department volunteers and driven across the shallow channel between the islands.

This event has been taking place since 1925, and the men who do the roundup are called "saltwater cowboys" as they often have to get into the water with the ponies to keep them swimming toward Chincoteague or help the yearling foals swim.

Ms. Henry highlighted this event in her book, which went on to receive the coveted Newbery Award Medal for children's literature. As a child, I never really questioned much about the horses depicted in photographs, and their size never made a difference to me until I saw them up close and in person this one year during Pony Penning Day.

They weren't much taller than I was, and their bodies appeared to be rather plump. I learned this is because of their diet consisting mostly of the grass from the saltwater marshes surrounding Assateague. The salt actually stunts their growth and causes their bellies to be slightly bloated. There have even been times when these ponies have been connected to the Shetland Ponies, located on the Shetland Isles to the northeast of Scotland, but there is no tie between these two breeds.

For years, I was so enamored by Marguerite Henry and her stories. I've read every single one of her books about horses, and even one about a donkey named Brighty in the Grand Canyon. Once I began writing my own historical fiction, it never dawned on me to use Chincoteague as a setting in any of my books.

During a conversation with an editor at a writer's conference, I realized I had actually been putting Ms. Henry and her stories of Chincoteague on an unreachable pedestal. That editor laughed a bit and told me it had been 65 years since that story was written, which meant it was probably safe to use the island as a setting. (grins)

So, that's what I intend to do this year. That editor is interested in a series set on the island and including some of the stories of my family intertwined with the stories of the primary characters. Over the next several months and possibly through this entire year, I'll be featuring various aspects about Chincoteague and Assateague Islands as they pertain to the research I'll be doing for my newest series. Grab your reins and saddle up with me as we travel along this journey and engage in a little horseplay. *smile*

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* Have you ever read Misty of Chincoteague? Had you even heard of this book before reading this post?

* What is your favorite memory from childhood, and has that memory inspired anything you do or love to this day?

* Do you have any historical connections like this that beg to have their story told? What are they?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below. Next month, I'll delve more into the history of Chincoteague Island.

---

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who has partnered with Nerium International in the anti-aging and personal development industry, helping others become their best from the inside out.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, a Retriever mix named Roxie, an Australian cattle dog named Timber, and two Betta fish. She has sold twenty (20) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.