The Chincoteague Drill Team was founded by Kendy Allen in 1996 and is the only one of its kind in the world. She got the idea by seeing other drill teams perform at the Kentucky Horse Park. Since her Chincoteague Ponies were successful at different equestrian disciplines, she decided to form a drill team, adding this latest skill to the breed's list of accomplishments. Drill work is choreographed movements on horseback often set to music. The team is made up of usually eight to ten riders, all who have had several years experience in riding and training Chincoteague Ponies. Kendy's children have been members and the other riders all hail from different areas of the East Coast. The ponies are Misty family members as well as ponies that were bought at the Pony Penning auctions or born off the island. During her lifetime Misty II was a member of the Drill Team and was the only one of Misty's grandfoals to be part of this endeavor. The 2007, 2008, and 2009 Drill Team included Misty's Heaven's own Matt DesJardins who was usually riding Misty's Heat Wave. Visit our Youtube channel to watch multiple Drill Team performances through the years.

Kentucky Horse Park 1999

Chincoteague Pony Centre 2009. Photo by Barbara Livingston.

Pony Penning 2007

The Drill Team has made appearances at the Kentucky Horse Park, Equitana, the Washington D.C. National Horse Show, and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. They have a standing invitation to perform at Kentucky Horse Park. The team has won several awards of their accomplishments, including being named the Youth Champion Drill Team at Equitana 2000. The Drill Team donated a signed copy of Misty of Chincoteague to the island's library in 2003. Their very own children's book was published in 2006 Black Mist and the Christmas Parade which was written by Kendy Allen.

Equitana 1998

2021 Open House

Fair Hill International Festival 2018

They regularly participate in Christmas Parades on Chincoteague and at others on the Eastern Shore. For 15 years they performed routines at the Chincoteague Pony Centre's nightly shows. The Drill Team does multiple meet and greets around the island Pony Penning week and at other times. Every year since 2006 the Drill Team performed before the start of the Pony Penning auction. The 2010 Drill Team traveled to Richmond, VA to march in the Virginia Gubernatorial Inaugural Parade. They were invited to perform at the 2010 World Equestrian Games at Kentucky Horse Park, but unfortunately the travel costs were too great. In 2018 three members of the Drill Team with Misty's Morning Glory, Misty's Irish Mist, and Misty's Thunderstorm appeared live on the Today Show on NBC. The Drill Team performed for several years at the festival for The Fair Hill International 3 Day Event Competition. They also perform at the Christmas tree lighting on Chincoteague.

Today Show appearance 2018

Christmas 2019

Kentucky Horse Park 2024

The Drill Team is headquartered at Kerkaken Acres in Bloxom, VA. Since 2021 they hold an open house at Kerkaken the Tuesday of Pony Penning week. In 2023 Drill Team rider Sophia Gallivan was inspired by her regular pony Misty's Red Dawn to advocate for the Chincoteague Pony to be made the official state pony of Virginia. Misty's Red Dawn was loaned to Kentucky Horse Park's Breed's barn in 2024 representing the Chincoteague Pony and the Drill Team. The Drill Team was invited to perform at Kentucky Horse Park and performed the weekend of August 3rd and 4th 2024. The last drill of the weekend was bareback and bridleless! Kentucky Horse Park staff said they were one of the best and most precise drill teams they've ever had perform at the Breeds Barn. They have been invited back to the Horse Park in 2025 for a special appearance.

Click on the photo for pictures of the Drill Team through the years

Click on the photo to for Drill Team media coverage

The Drill Team riders fundraise throughout the year to fund their public appearances. From their open house, to silent auctions, bake sales, tshirt sales, and passing the hat at appearances. In the spirit of Paul and Maureen, they gentle foals from Assateague for their new owners to raise funds. To donate to the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team contact them at their Facebook page linked at the photo below.

Click on the photo to visit the Drill Team's Facebook page

Banner photo courtesy of Barbara Livingston.