Kids Misty MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.) Misty II of Chincoteague, the only remaining grand foal of the legendary Misty of Chincotea gue, and a celebrity in her own right, died Thursday, Aug. 24 due to complications from can cer. The 26-year-old pony had been under treatment by two vet erinarians for the disease. She was spending the summer at the Chincoteague Pony Centre on Chincoteague Island, VA. Owned by the Keith Allen family of Lancaster County, the mare had spent the last 13 years with that family. Bought by the Allens when she was 13, and gen tled to ride at age 14, she went on to become a representative of the Chincoteague Pony breed at horse shows, equestrian events, schools, and special functions. During her lifetime, she was invited and appeared at many events and places, including, the Washington D.C. International Horse Show, Pennsylvania Na tional Rodeo, Pennsylvania Na tional Horse Show, Breyerfest, Kentucky Horse Park, Virginia State Fair, Equitana USA, the Wayne, Illinois Celebration of Marguerite Henry, Hartford County Maryland Fair, Chinco teague VA Seafood Festival, and of course, Chincoteague Pony Penning. She traveled to about 200 schools during her stay with the Allens, where she made the story of Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry come alive. More than 20,000 students were given the opportunity to come II Of Chincoteague Dies and pet her while she would pa tiently stand. She would also shake hands with selected stu dents and stand on her stool just as her famous grandmother did. She was a member of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team until this year, a group of 10 Chincoteague ponies that per formed intricate drills set to music. She loved to perform and always was ready to go in the show ring and do her best for her rider. In the show ring, the pony was known for her winning ways. She brought home many trophies and blue ribbons for the Allen chil dren, and was often used by chil dren who did not own a pony of their own, who rode her in com petition. Countless children in 4-H and open competitions rode her for their own personal mo ment of being a part of the story of Misty and brought home a horse show ribbon. The pony was well known by the late author Marguerite Henry, who owned her famous grandmother, the original Misty of Chincoteague, until her death. Ms. Henry kept a framed picture of Misty II in her home where she could see it while she wrote. One of her favorite stories to tell visitors was the story of the suc cess and joy of Misty II carrying on the tradition of Misty to the world. The daughter of the pony Stormy, made famous in her own Marguerite Henry book, Misty II has four foals of her own at the Allen Farm. Black Mist, Misty’s Korne r ■r ,i\du Misty II was a Chincoteague pony mada famous by Marguerite Henry’s popular booKs on the real-life adventures of the island ponies. Although the Allens fiave 15 Chine,on teague ponies on their farm, Kendy said. Misty II was the family favoirite. May Day Twister, Misty’s Heat- Wave, and Misty IPs Henry, have all already been part of the tradition of telling the story of Chincoteague Island by making personal appearances at public events and they will continue to do so. Misty II received fan mail from all over the world even getting boxes of oat cakes sent to her from school children. The Al lens kept a guest book for visitors at their Pennsylvania farm for people who would come to see her, and the book is filled with names from all over the country and around the world. She was buried at the Chinco teague Pony Centre in Chinco teague and will have a stone marking her burial place there. “We spent 13 wonderful years with a pony that was one of the Misty II lived for 26 years, the last half of her life on the Manheim farm of Keith and Kendy Allen. Son Kenneth Allen, 11, rode the pony in the equestrian events of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team. The Allens often took Misty II to invitational events to which the famous pony was invited; best in the world.” Kendy Allen commented. “We wanted her to return to the island of her ances tors, and are thrilled that this was possible. This way there will be a permanent remembrance of a pony that truly was one in a million.” The mare was diagnosed with cancer in June of this year, and had two surgeries over the sum mer. Up to the end, she kept her friendly attitude and met her public, daintily accepting treats from her youngest admirers, and greeting her public in her stall. “She was a wonderful repre sentative of Misty and of the Chincoteague breed,” Allen noted. “She showed all the won derful qualities that make the breed special, she was very intel ligent, loved kids, and would do anything you-asked her. She has been such a part of our lives, it is really hard to believe that she is gone.” Her grandmother, Misty of Chincoteague, also died at age 26. Of all the Misty descendants, Misty II has been the only one to show the same markings, includ ing the famous map of the Unit ed States on her side. “The only way we could have a Misty 111 would be for one of Misty IPs descendants to have that map on her side,” Allen noted. “We’re looking forward to some foals next. year. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if there ever is a Misty 111.” Those interested in remember ing Misty II may send contribu tions in her name to the Chinco teague Pony Drill Team, in care of Mrs. Pay Varner, 339 Oak Tree Road, Manheim, PA 17545.
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