Misty of Chincoteague

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Misty of Chincoteague is the title of a 1947 book by Marguerite Henry, based on the life of a real pony named Misty, native to Virginia's coastal island of Chincoteague on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The story is based upon "The Pony penning", which is an annual event that involves rounding up some of the wild ponies who live on nearby Assateague Island for auction as a benefit for the local Fire Department. It features the Beebe family, including a young brother and sister who capture an elusive mare on Assateague named the Phantom along with her foal, Misty.

Misty is a paint pony whose coloration includes a large patch of white on her withers, shaped like the United States. A short film is made about Misty and distributed nationwide; this brings national attention to her and to Chincoteague's potential as a valuable nature preserve.

Possibly due in part to publicity from Ms. Henry's books and the movie, most of Assateague Island was protected from development by the National Park Service and became Assateague Island National Seashore in 1965.

As of 2006, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, the annual "Pony Swim" and auction continues, helping both the community and the herd of wild ponies.