Gentle Breeze

The first photo shows Misty's family tree that was found in A Pictorial Life Story of Misty. This ultimately led to the idea of Misty's Heaven and researching the Misty family ponies, especially since many were sold from the Chincoteague Miniature Pony Farm as the owners Paul and Helen Merritt grew older.

The Merritts sent Marguerite Henry updated lists of Misty's family. In the first printing of the Pictorial, only 6 of Misty's granndfoals were listed and two great grandfoals. Those ponies were described at the end of the book. In the updated printing, the family tree was updated with an additional grandfoal, Foggy Mist, and several great grandfoals.
When we came into contact with Celina Calvo whose family took care of the ponies at the pony farm in the late eighties, she had mentioned a discrepancy in the family tree with Salty Mist who was said to be a son of Misty II, and Gentle Breeze, who was listed as a daughter of Beebe Breeze. She had said the tourists and other visitors to the farm swore the foals were switched, that Misty II had the filly and Beebe Breeze had the colt. The young ponies had gone to another farm as weanlings, along with Rainy's Boy, and when they had returned, it was forgotten which pony belonged to which mare. Rainy's Boy was identified as Rainy's son because the woman who later bought Rainy had pictures of dam and foal together.

As Salty Mist and Gentle Breeze matured, it was easier to tell that listings had been mistaken. Salty Mist, who was later renamed Thunder II, was stocky in built, much like his dam, Beebe Breeze, and the rest of the foal she had. Gentle Breeze was lighter built, resembling Misty II. And indeed, Misty II, had had previous solid chestnut offspring before.

We have listed Gentle Breeze under Misty II's offspring and Salty Mist/Thunder II under Beebe Breeze's for many years. And finally, just recently, this was solidified with many thanks to Kendy Allen, owner of Misty II who dug through some old photos. The picture of the solid chestnut filly with the blaze is of Gentle Breeze, and though her mother is not entirely in the picture, you can see it is Misty II with her distinctive markings!

Another interesting fact was the listing of Dewy, daughter of Rainbow. A newspaper article announced the arrival of Rainbow's filly and calling her Raindrop. Perhaps Marguerite Henry saw that was already a Raindrop in the family tree and perhaps suggested an alternative name.

This is why we are always looking for pictures from the late 70s and 80s of the Pony Farm. It helps fill in the holes, rectify mistakes, and puts faces to names. We thank everyone who has contributed over the years with pictures and stories!