If you were a horse-loving child, chances are that at some point you read Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Maybe you went on to read Stormy, Misty’s Foal, and even Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague. Misty of Chincoteague became a classic in the literary canon of horse stories, but do you know that it was inspired by an actual Chincoteague pony named Misty?

The mare who inspired Marguerite Henry to write Misty of Chincoteague was born on July 20, 1946. She was born on Chincoteague Island in Virginia and was sired by a chestnut tobiano named Pied Piper. Misty’s dam was a black tobiano named Phantom. Misty herself would grow to be 12 hands high and was an eye-catching palomino tobiano and sabino pinto.

Misty was owned by the Beebe family, whom Marguerite Henry would later include in her fictional Misty of Chincoteague. When Marguerite visited Chincoteague in 1946 she purchased Misty to take back home with her to Illinois. Inspired by the pony and the Beebe family, Marguerite wrote Misty of Chincoteague to tell the story of a wild pony named Misty born on Assateague Island who was captured and auctioned during the annual Pony Penning Day, and who became a loved member of the Beebe family.

Misty of Chincoteague, published in 1947, became a bestseller. Marguerite kept Misty for the next 10 years and the pony toured the United States with her, making appearances for fans. In 1957 Marguerite sent Misty back to the Beebe Ranch where she could be bred.

Misty was bred to Wings, a chestnut pinto pony. She had three foals, all by Wings: Phantom Wings, Wisp O’Mist, and, most famous, Stormy. Stormy was the inspiration for Marguerite’s book Stormy, Misty’s Foal. Stormy also made appearances for fans.

The impact of Misty of Chincoteague is difficult to measure. The book raised awareness about the Chincoteague pony and the Pony Penning Day. It brought needed tourism and funds to Chincoteague Island, and even today the book remains a popular children’s book. Misty of Chincoteague was also Marguerite Henry’s first book, launching her long literary career.

Misty died on October 16, 1972. This famous mare’s hide was preserved by a taxidermist and then displayed for Chincoteague visitors. Stormy died in 1993 her hide was also preserved and displayed. The Beebe Ranch remains a popular tourist destination and the two horses are displayed there annually.

Thanks to the work of the Breyer Animal Creations company, young horse lovers can also bring home a Misty and a Stormy of their own - the two horses have been crafted into Breyer models, along with Sea Star, the horse in Marguerite Henry’s Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague; Phantom Wings, Misty’s son; and Misty’s Twilight, one of Misty’s great-granddaughters.

Misty will perhaps be the most famous Chincoteague pony ever. Her birth prompted the career of a great author and increased awareness of the Chincoteague pony breed.

Image Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chincoteague_Pony; flickr.com/photos/coastguardnews/2717818208

Original Source: Misty of Chincoteague Was Born July 20, 1946