There may be no place more magical for horse lovers than Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Made famous by Marguerite Henry's classic tale “Misty of Chincoteague,” the island becomes a major destination for horse lovers each July when the feral ponies living on the Virginia side of Assateague Island are rounded up by local Saltwater Cowboys. They are swum to Chincoteague Island for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company's (CVFC) foal auction. The auction raises funds for the CVFC, who owns and cares for the herd while ensuring that the herd stays at a healthy size. Foaled in 2009, Surfer's Riptide is a flaxen chestnut stallion with flashy white markings – just like his late sire, Surfer Dude. Riptide was a “buyback” foal, meaning he was auctioned with the stipulation that he was to be donated back. He was returned to Assateague to live out his life. He's since sired many foals, including a few that can be traced back to Misty! The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the pony swim and auction. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this model go to support the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and the Museum of Chincoteague.