Born: 1974
Sire: Al-Marah Sunny Jim
Dam: Stormy
Misty II was Stormy's fifth foal and was sired by Al-Marah Sunny Jim, an Arabian stallion that brought to the island to introduce new blood in the Chincoteague breed. Misty II is a full sister to Rainy, but she did not show much Arabian influence in her body build as her sister did.
Misty II's life got off to a rocky start. When she was born, Stormy oddly enough rejected her own daughter and wanted nothing to do with her. Perhaps the strain of having five foals so close together was too much for Stormy, the true cause will never be known. However Misty II's half sister Windy had just had a foal as well, and she soon adopted Misty II and allowed her to nurse alongside Cyclone. Misty II and Cyclone formed a loving bond because of this, and Misty II soon grew to be a healthy, beautiful mare. Misty II spent 13 years on the Chincoteague Pony Farm. In the Pictorial Life Story of Misty it stated that Misty II was very flighty and spooky. Evidently she grew out of this behavior when she got older.
Like the other Misty family mareson the Pony Farm, Misty II was a broodmare. She had her first foal in 1978, a chestnut filly named Gusty. Little is known about Gusty, it is uncertain whether this foal was sold or died at a young age. In 1984, Misty II gave birth to the chestnut mare Gentle Breeze. Misty II had a flashy chestnut pinto filly by name of Zephyr in 1986, but it was reported that she died over the winter. The following year, Misty II had another pinto filly, but it was born with very badly contracted tendons and couldn't even stand to nurse. Celina Boltinghouse bottle-fed the filly, who was unofficially dubbed "Virga", but she did not live for very long. The Misty family ponies were becoming inbred in the mid to late 80's, and thus, foals born on the farm had defects.
The same year Virga was born, Keith and Kendy Allen and their family visited Chincoteague for Pony Penning. They had just read Misty's life story and wandered over to the Chincoteague Miniature Pony Farm to visit the Misty family ponies. They fell in love with Misty II and were shocked when Paul Merritt said he would sell her. Paul was getting older and was ready to retire, and therefore was selling his farm and the ponies. Overjoyed, the Allens bought Misty II and took her back to their home in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
The Allens gentled and trained Misty II under saddle. They found her to be a very sweet and intelligent mare, never bucking in the training process. The hardest thing to do was to have her accept a bit, but pancake syrup soon solved that problem. Misty II attended horse shows, and proved to be a great show pony, winning in both Western and English events. Misty II also learned to stand on a stepstool like her famous grandmother and to shake hands. She was very affectionate with adults and children alike. Her favorite treat was fruit flavored Life Savers.
The Allens bred her to a black and white Chincoteague stallion named Rebel in 1988. The following year she gave birth to Black Mist, the first black and white filly foal born in the Misty line since Misty's mother the Phantom. May Day Twister was born in 1991, a beautiful palomino filly. Heat Wave, a full sister to Twister, was born in 1992. Both fillies were sired by Sunpiper another Misty descendant, but not closely related to Misty II. Misty II surprised the Allens by producing a chestnut pinto colt in the spring of 1998. Named Henry in honor of Marguerite Henry, this foal was a result of a secret meeting between Misty II and the Allens' stud, Lightning of Chincoteague.
Misty II and the Allens traveled to tell the story of Misty to a variety of places. Misty II took on the roll of the goodwill ambassador in honor of her grandmother, and readily greeted her admirers. She visited to schools, libraries, prestigious horse shows, and other events. In 1996, in honor of the 50th year of the publication of Misty of Chincoteague, Misty II and two of her foals had models made in their likenesses by Breyer Animal Creations. The trio also attended Breyerfest and Equitana USA the same year and met many fans. Misty II was also part of the Chincoteague Drill Team.
Misty II was on hand for the opening of the Chincoteague Pony Centre, a rebirth of the old Pony Farm where Misty Family ponies could live once more on the island. Misty II stayed there for the summers; performing in the pony shows and meeting visitors. After the death of her sisters Misty II was the last living grandfoal of Misty.
Sadly in 2000, Misty II was diagnosed with cancer. She continued on with her life for a few months like a happy pony, but in August, the life of this extraordinary mare was spent. The Allens had her buried at the Chincoteague Pony Centre, and her headstone can be viewed by the public. Kendy Allen is working on a book, telling the story of her special pet and friend. A carousel horse is being made in Misty II's likeness for a new carousel that will be at a resort on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Click on the photo for more pictures of Misty II
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