CHINCOTEAGUE, Va.- The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company voted to terminate the Chincoteague Pony Association, according to fire company spokesperson Denise Bowden.
Bowden said that after much evaluation over the last several months, the fire company has voted to formally terminate the pony association, effective immediately.
"Disbanding the Pony Association is something that has been kicked around for a few years," Bowden told WBOC. "Now it's just gotten to the point where we now it's not feasible for us to continue to try."
The Chincoteague Pony Association, the body responsible for registering ponies auctioned off, was started in 1994, according to Bowden.
Bowden said the manpower and software necessary for maintaining a registry was beyond the fire company's means.
"I'm sorry for the people that would like us to continue the registry, but it's not going to continue on our end," Bowden said.
She adds all past and current registration needs will be brought up to date and completed by June of next year.
In the future, all auction winners will receive a certificate stating that they have purchased a Chincoteague Pony from the fire company.
Bowden says there will still be a pony swim and the animals will still get the same care, but auction winners will not be able to register their ponies as a "Chincoteague Pony."
"We appreciate your past support and hope that you will continue to the support us in our endeavors," Bowden said.
Periodically the fire company will post on its website and Facebook page updates concerning the ponies, according to Bowden.
(Photo: WBOC)
