Misty's Desert Sun 1999-2025

Written by Kendy Allen:

We had to say goodbye to one of the great ones a few weeks ago.

Misty's Desert Sun, Sunny for short, was one of those ponies with the perfect personality and a natural beauty that could take your breath away. She was a favorite at the Chincoteague Pony Centre which we managed for 17 years.

When she was born, my daughter Kerra came to the barn to see her and said " mom, she's as red as the desert sun". And just like that she had her name.

She certainly was red all over, with just a few white hairs on her forehead. No white socks or pinto markings, but she was beautiful in her red color and her confirmation just enhanced her looks.
But most remarkably, she never met a person she didn't like and she loved kids. She was the number one pony ride Pony at the Centre and we would have to force her to have time off because she loved her work. She was always ready to meet her next rider. I'm sure there are still many photos out there of happy kids taking their first ride on a Chincoteague pony.

And you may not know it but she was on the cover of Virginia magazine, whose photographer called her the most photogenic horse he had ever seen. The magazine crew showed up at 6am one day to catch the best light for a perfect picture. They brought two children models to pose with her, one who was very afraid of horses but Sunny soon won her over and had the girl feeding her treats. It took forever for the "shoot" to happen but Sunny was the star thru it all.

Sunny is now roaming the pastures of heaven, but I find myself still looking for her in the paddock every morning. I'm sure she is gathering children around her and giving Pony rides to her heart's delight.

I was the first to see you when you were born, Sunny, and you stayed with me all your 27 years. Yes, you were one of the great ones.