Posted by Lois Szymanski on Tuesday July 03rd, 2007
"I have dreamed of owning a Chincoteague pony ever since I read the book Sea Feather, and went to the pony swim and auction in 2004.” That’s what 12 year old Elizabeth Suddreth wrote in her essay to the Feather Fund. Suddreth wrote, “I have wanted a horse since 2001 and I often find myself daydreaming about horses. During class I find it hard not to think about the Chincoteague Ponies, and it is just so hard to push them out of my mind. I told you all of this to get down to the point. I have a dream that I will be able to have a pony that I can take care of and love with all my heart, that I can tell all my secrets to and he/she will never tell a single soul, that will love me unconditionally. I think I was meant to see the Feather Fund (web) page, so you could help me fulfill my dream." The Feather Fund Pony Committee was touched by Suddreth’s pony essay and they called to tell her the news. Her family agreed to meet us on the island at Pony Penning. Elizabeth's mom, Gail Suddreth said, “After she read the book "Sea Feather", she started collecting feathers and putting them in a baggy she carried around with her." Then Elizabeth found the Feather Fund webpage and she sent her application and essay in for consideration. Burta and Phil Boysen of 1,000 Welcomes Farm in NC heard about Elizabeth and volunteered to drive all the way to Virginia to get her foal and take it home! Wow! Burta and Phil Boysen will always be a part of our family! The Feather Fund gives away a Chincoteague Pony each Pony Penning in memory of Carollynn Suplee. In 1995 Suplee survived surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor. Over the next eight years she gave away many ponies at Chincoteague. It was her way of "giving back" after surviving another year cancer-free. The family and friends she had touched came together with the help of the Community Foundation of Carroll County to form the Feather Fund, a Maryland Not-for-Profit, 5013c charity. The Chincoteague Fire Department has joined us on our cause, generously allowing the Feather Fund to set up an information table at the auction. Elizabeth spent her first few days on the islands with pen and paper in hand, writing down the numbers of the foals she liked the best. She ended up taking home one of her favorites, a beautiful little bay pinto filly with a diamond on it's forehead. She named her Treasured Diamond. Some of the Feather Fund group met Valerie DiTommaso at the auction when she came to the table to introduce herself. This young lady had sent her application in, but it had arrived past the deadline. Yet she was a perfect candidate. She'd written of how hard she'd worked at a neighboring farm to get free riding lessons. She said her parents were divorcing and it was hard. She wanted a horse to talk to, one that was all her own. Her dad had agreed to board the foal for her. Because Elizabeth's foal did not sell for a high price, the Feather Fund was able to help Valerie's dream come true, too. She took home a lovely chestnut filly she said she would name Dream Feather, calling it Dreamer for short. The auction was nearing a close when a gentleman named Michael Clark from Texas and his daughter, Jacqueline approached us with a stack of paperwork. "We bought a foal to donate to the Feather Fund," he said! We were all shocked and in disbelief. Such incredible generosity from strangers. But at that moment, Michael and Jacqueline did not feel like strangers. They felt like family. Jacqueline named the filly Feather and they handed the paperwork over to the Feather Fund. For now, Blessing will go home with Summer Barrack. The ten year old has volunteered to halter train the foal as we look for the perfect home. Once again, Lara Cornell and her husband Mike stepped in, donating the hauling of the last two foals to MD and NJ. Wonderful people are everywhere. In today's world we don't always see them, but they are there, waiting for the call! |
Elizabeth's Story and More! 