Located off the coast of Virginia and Maryland, Assateague Island is home to herds of feral ponies that have roamed free for generations, evolving to thrive on the protected barrier island. These ponies and the community that supports them were made famous by the 1947 children’s novel Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. The annual pony swim, where the ponies are herded across the channel from Assateague to Chincoteague and the weanlings are sold to homes to be trained as riding horses, has become an iconic event.

For 100 years, the pony penning and auction have served to maintain a viable herd size on Assateague Island, where the ponies live on protected land and have no predators. It also raises funds for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, which manages the herd and the events surrounding the swim.

Natural Athletes

The characteristics that nature favors in wild horses — soundness, intelligence, and endurance — are similar to those that make a good sport horse. The Chincoteague Pony’s suitability for sport was on display at the 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling, where two Chincoteagues competed in the USEF Pony Jumper National Championship.

Naponyon, better known as Lux, is a 2010 black-and-white pinto gelding owned by Sanidin Park LLC, and is leased and shown by Siena Gilhooley of Northridge, Calif. Under the direction of trainer Rebecca Bruce, they competed in the Small/Medium Pony Jumpers individually and as part of the Zone 4/6/10 team.

“I feel like I clicked with him right away, because he’s very kind and the way that he listens,” said Gilhooley. “I find that really amazing about him.”

Gilhooley, age 9, has been riding since she was 4 years old, and just started riding Lux this spring. She says he’s energetic and responsive, and overall easy to ride.

“There are a lot of ponies, and every pony is different,” she explained. “But I feel like Lux is very special because he’s a Chincoteague, and also, I’ve never had a more responsive pony than him.”

Splash of Class (aka Lollipop), is a 2016 chestnut pinto mare owned by Noelle Dunn and shown by Chase Malone from Alexandria, Va. They also competed in the Small/Medium Pony Jumpers and represented the Zone 2/3 team. Lolli and Malone are a versatile pair, having trained with Courtney Wilcox for jumpers, Lulu Sullivan Wheeler for equitation and hunters, and even some dressage with Kirsten Brodie.

“Lolli is really fun. She’s very willing and a good mare,” said Malone. “We go show jumping and do the hunters. I hack her at Mustang Trailhead a few times a week and do hunter paces. She’s always up to do anything I ask of her. Lolli and I have a wonderful partnership. She is very responsive and loves to show!”

Malone has been working with Lolli for two years, starting when she was still somewhat green, and they’ve built a rewarding partnership together.

“Lollipop is a fast learner and wants to please,” said Malone. “We’ve built a bond that is deep. I would do anything for her, and I think she would do anything for me.”

Ponies with Personality

Aside from the annual swim each July, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department conducts spring and fall roundups on Assateague Island to provide routine veterinary and farrier care. Only weanlings are sold at auction, and their young age makes them more adaptable when transitioning to domesticated life. Yearling and adult ponies are returned to the relative isolation of Assateague Island after the annual swim along with a handful of “buyback” weanlings that keep the herd numbers and gene pool balanced for the future.

Whether it is because of their wild heritage or despite it, domesticated Chincoteague Ponies are known for being friendly, courageous, and great partners for young equestrians.

“[Lux] is so sweet,” said Gilhooley. “And he’s always looking for peppermints.”

“I wouldn’t have wanted to do Pony Finals with any pony other than Lux,” she added. “He supports me a lot. I knew that we wouldn’t have a rail, because when he jumps, the jump is down here and he’s all the way up here. I trust him very much.”

Lolli is also an enthusiastic competitor, according to Malone.

“Lolli is wonderful on the ground and has all her manners,” she said. “She’s spunky and fearless and has never stopped at a jump. She gets excited in the show ring and wants to go! When we were ringside, she would get excited every time people would clap and cheer because she thought they were cheering for her.”

The Pony Finals Experience

Both Gillhooley and Malone and their ponies were first-timers at Pony Finals this year. The new-for-2025 format for the jumper division offered more heights than previous years, opening the door for more ponies and their riders to experience the fun of Pony Finals and the team environment.

“Just qualifying for me was so amazing, and making it to nationals,” said Gillhooley. “I had a bunch of my friends there and friends from different barns that qualified, too.”

Pony Finals also gave Gillhooley the chance to make new friends as she hadn’t met her teammates prior to the show.

“I felt like it was a really good experience, being part of a team,” she said. Malone agreed that the team aspect was one of the highlights of the week, along with quality pony time.

“I loved getting to spend extra time one-on-one with Lolli,” she said. “It was really fun to be on a team with the other pony jumpers and to get to know and cheer on all my teammates. They were all so nice and great riders with awesome ponies. We don’t get to be on a team often as equestrians, and it made it so rewarding. I hope I get to see them again soon!”