Chincoteague Pony Centre

09/19/2026

A Chapter Closes, but Our Purpose Continues
With great sadness, we share that our management team’s chapter at the Chincoteague Pony Centre has come to a close.

We will always appreciate the opportunity we were given to help reopen the Centre and, throughout the past two seasons, bring back Chincoteague pony rides, lessons, and shows while adding thoughtfully structured programs that gave families new ways to experience and connect with these remarkable ponies.

To every person who walked through the doors during our time at CPC, our longtime supporters, newcomers, visiting families, and the many friends we gained along the way, THANK YOU. We enjoyed each and every visit, the stories you shared, and the kindness you extended to our team and families.

Many of you came alongside us at such an important turning point, and your encouragement meant more than you may ever realize. Each time we heard, “We are so glad you are back open,” it reminded us why we worked so hard. You became our encouragers and such an important part of our “Why.”
We will truly miss seeing and hearing from each of you there.

Our journey with the Chincoteague pony began long before our time at CPC, and it will not end here. We are not leaving this community behind. The same trusted care, training, and foundation-building methods will continue through Willow Hill at our home farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with more opportunities and programs to come throughout our Shores.

We hope to welcome you again in an even more meaningful way as we continue carrying forward the traditions and legacy of the Chincoteague pony. Their intelligence, versatility, heart, and unique attributes deserve to be recognized, preserved, and celebrated.

Although this chapter is closing, the heart and purpose behind our work will continue. Thank you for walking alongside our management team, supporting our families, and becoming such an important part of this journey.

09/17/2026

We’re Here for You Today at CPC
We will not be conducting retail sales or pony rides today, we have set up a visitor-information table right here at the entrance because we still want to be present for you.

Stop by for CPC rack cards, visitor interest and stay connected sheets, and coloring pages for the children. Everything is free, no donations will be accepted, and one of the ponies may even join us for a supervised hello.

Since we stepped in to reopen the Chincoteague Pony Centre the week before the 2025 Pony Swim and carried these experiences through the 2026 season, your support has meant more than you know.

Today is our opportunity to listen. Tell us what impressed you most, what your family connected with and what you hope to see continue into 2027. Your voices help us understand which experiences should be preserved and carried forward for you and your families.

Sometimes moving forward begins with an open conversation at the front door.

09/14/2026

To celebrate forward in the horse world and year of the horse. A little Delmarva History.
The GlenRiddle Golf Club
RuthChris steak house

Thank you to our follower Lois Thomas for this article from our local Ocean City paper. Tom Ruark, the developer, was our very first meeting way back when we started this journey. Tom was enthusiastic about our project. Thank you to my dear friend Alan Korb for the introduction to Tom. Ocean City, MD - Tourism Oceancity,Md

09/14/2026

Seasonal Schedule at CPC:
Thursday through Sunday
10:00 AM–4:00 PM

As we move into the quieter season, guests can still enjoy meaningful, hands-on moments with our ponies and other animals. Experiences and pony rides will be offered on select days based on staff availability.

Come slow down, make a new friend and enjoy a little time at the Pony Centre. We look forward to welcoming you!

Please follow our page for weekly activities and availability.

09/14/2026

Every Dream Begins Somewhere
On Grandparents Day, we are reminded that dreams, traditions and stories are often carried from one generation to the next.

A generous friend who has come to enjoy visiting the Chincoteague Pony Centre the past year, donated this special little horse for the programming and experiences we hope to continue bringing to our visitors at CPC.

Watching this little visitor climb into the saddle in front of Miss Chincoteague was a beautiful reminder of why these moments matter. Surrounded by memories of the Pony Swim and generations of island tradition, children are given a place to discover ponies, explore history and experience the freedom to imagine.

Grandparents have a special way of keeping yesterday’s stories alive while encouraging the dreams of tomorrow. We never know which small experience may spark a child’s confidence, awaken a lifelong love or inspire a dream for the future.

Dreams and aspirations can begin anywhere, at any time and at any age. Sometimes, they begin with one little wooden horse, a child’s imagination and someone who believes in all that child may someday become.

Happy Grandparents Day to those who preserve our stories, encourage our dreams and connect one generation to the next.

09/12/2026

When you use a few creative aids to get your end result!
Poppy found quite the spot to greet our guests today right on Blue’s back! This brief, spontaneous moment happened under supervision, and she was quickly redirected. The funny part is that Blue doesn’t seem to mind what Poppy considers fun!

Blue is a seven year old micro mini, and Poppy is a five month old Nigerian Dwarf goat.

These two certainly make quite the pair!

09/08/2026

Schedule Update‼️
The Chincoteague Pony Centre will be closed to the public today & tomorrow.
• Tuesday, September 8
• Wednesday, September 9

Our normal behind the scene care of animals and training will be conducted.
We will reopen to visitors on Thursday, September 10.

Thank you for understanding!

09/07/2026

After Months of Reigning at the Pony Centre… Our Queen Has Found Her Home.

Several months ago, we introduced our Island Highland Queen and created a writing competition for the young people visiting the Chincoteague Pony Centre. We asked them to tell us why they would like to adopt her, where she would reign, and what her crown represented to them.

We received some wonderful thoughts, but one young lady’s story stayed with us.

Callie wrote that the Queen’s crown represents being brave and overcoming things. She told us how she would care for her, keep her safe, give her a special place in her home here on the island and even make sure she gets to watch the Pony Swim every year. 🤍

It wasn’t simply that Callie wanted the Queen. It was the care, thought and determination behind her words that touched us.

And that is exactly why I continue to pour my time, resources and, often, my own funds into creating opportunities like these.

I believe in giving young people places where their ideas matter. Where they can write, create, work with animals, learn our heritage and discover that their own determination can take them somewhere. Sometimes all a young person needs is for others to recognize that spark and encourage them to keep going.

Those little opportunities may look simple from the outside, but we never really know what they might plant for the future.

So after months of reigning here at the Pony Centre, I think our Queen was waiting for exactly the right young Keeper.

Congratulations, Callie. Our Island Highland Queen is going home with you. 👑🤍

Keep creating. Keep caring. Keep being brave. And never lose that determination to succeed.

09/07/2026

Daisy Wants to See Her Humans!
$1-A-Minute baby Goat Socials Today

Soon she’ll head back home to her farm and its grassy pastures, and I know she is going to miss all the love from her humans.

At only five months old, Daisy has spent much of her little life here meeting people, climbing into laps and making friends of all ages. These are just a few of her favorite moments. 🤍

Before school and work begin again, come share a few minutes with Daisy and her friends today and get a little pony fix while you’re here.

$1 per minute, per person • 5-minute minimum

09/06/2026

Thank you for visiting the Chincoteague Pony Centre and beautifully capturing the lineage and coloring of some of these remarkable ponies.