June 2020 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN June 2020 Page 13 By Lois Szymanski In 1947, the world was in- troduced to Chincoteague Ponies through “Misty of Chincote- ague,” Marguerite Henry’s novel for children. While reading about Paul and Maureen Beebe’s efforts to purchase a wild pony foal, readers across the nation learned of the tiny island off the coast of Virginia and its wild pony round- up, swim, and auction. For many, a dream was born. Tipson Myers of Hughes- ville, PA was one of those kids. Today, Myers offers a unique service from her 40-stall 45 acre farm, Stoney Creek Chincote- agues. Working with veterinarian Allison Dotzel of Laurel High- land Veterinary Clinic, Myers guides clients in choosing and bidding on wild pony foals at Pony Penning, the last full week of July annually. Additional ser- vices include hauling, boarding, and gentling newly weaned foals. Because Chincoteague ponies can range in height from 12.2 to 15 hands with temperaments that vary, choosing a foal can be hit or miss for the inexperienced. Prior to formation of the Chincoteague Pony Registry, Mustang and Arab lines were added to the herd. Those with a Mustang background mature to a stockier build, while the Arab lines are more refined. Myers, who began riding at the age of 6, has a BS degree in Equine Studies from Centenary Stoney Creek Chincoteagues Steers Prospective Owners to Suitable Wild Foals University. She is assistant coach at Penn State University for the Western Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team and is a coach for the Stoney Creek Stables Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) high school team. She opened Stoney Creek Stables in 1997 with a focus on mostly AQHA and APHA horses. Then, in 2009, she purchased her first Chincote- ague Pony, Cody, and fell in love with the common-sense tempera- ment of these easy-keeper ponies. Veterinarian Allison Dotzel was Tipson’s first client in 2015, bringing home her Chincoteague Pony, Finn. “Allison has such a wealth of knowledge of the entire herd and the bloodlines,” said Myers. “While we both are excellent on the topic of conformation, I really enjoy figuring out a foal’s person- ality and what discipline they’ll be best suited for. Together, we try to find the best match for both the foal and the client.” A business that started small has grown to 19 clients in 2019. Clients reserve their own place to stay for Pony Penning. Then, they are guided to Facebook to follow the DSC Photography page or the I Love Chincoteague Ponies page where photos of newborn foals are regularly posted by hiker Darcy Cole and others. Once on the island, Myers provides each client with a copy of DSC Photography’s annual foal book so they can make notes and mark their favorite foals. “Allison and I take them to the pens, and we go through the book together,” Myers said. She and Dotzel ask a lot of questions, including pre- ferred sex and color choice, and whether the foal is for a child or an adult. “We also ask them about their level of experience, [the] intended use of the pony, desired size range etc.,” Dotzel said. “It helps if we know what they are looking for so we can steer them towards foals that are more likely to meet their needs.” Myers spends a lot of time observing foals to assess their personalities. “If they are doing flying lead changes, they are extremely bal- anced,” Myers said. “If they want an English pony, the length of the shoulder - which goes into the stride length - is important. I look for a bigger stride and a longer neck. The bloodlines are import- ant too. Finn for example, he is not much of a Western horse, but boy could he do dressage. Then, with that, comes a bigger attitude too.” Myers relies on Dotzel and her encyclopedic brain for equine background, sire and dam and previous foal data. “I usually tell the buyer what I know about the foal’s parents and anything [I know] about foals they’ve thrown before, [includ- ing] personality and height. Once we get a look at all the foals on the buyer’s list, Tipson and I consult with them, and then help them come up with a bidding game plan. What will they do if one of their other choices comes up before their favorite? I am © 2020 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Legends ® feeds are fortified by Kentucky Equine Research to meet your horse’s individual needs. For feeding advice or to create a custom ration, visit microsteed. com/legends. Visit ker.com/legends to read the latest in equine nutrition and health and subscribe to the Equinews ® newsletter presented by Legends ® Feeds. VISIT US AT LEGENDSHORSEFEED.COM CARBCARE ® BALANCER PELLET A premium pelleted low starch/low sugar feed specially formulated to help keep easy keepers, ponies and miniature horses looking and feeling healthy. Low starch/low sugar formula Nutrient dense for ration balancing Digestive aids to promote gut health (Continued on page 30) Allison Dotzel and Tipson Meyers with Summer's foal, a colt born after pony penning and sold over the winter to one of their clients.