Before golf in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area became the world-class and globally-recognized destination it is today, equestrian pursuits dominated the Sandhills region of North Carolina. And for the first time, ponies will roam the streets of downtown Southern Pines – Painted Ponies.
The inaugural Painted Ponies Art Walk and Auction runs through April 2 as 10 five-foot-tall fiberglass works of art will line Broad Street for all to view as visitors walk the downtown area. After the display is over, the ponies will be auctioned off with the proceeds benefitting the Carolina Horse Park Foundation’s educational and environmental programs.
“The Carolina Horse Park is proud to bring the Painted Ponies Art Walk to downtown Southern Pines. It demonstrates our commitment to our local businesses and artists while also highlighting our equestrian heritage and community,” said Bryan Rosenberg, chairman of the board for the Carolina Horse Park. “The Art Walk has been a phenomenal community effort. We look forward to visitors and residents enjoying the painted ponies while they line Broad Street and generously support the auction on April 4.”
Local businesses coordinated to sponsor the painted ponies that are placed at 10 locations in downtown Southern Pines. Artists from the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area have donated their time and talent to transform the fiberglass ponies into exquisite works of art. Once the display ends on April 2, the painted ponies will be removed and auctioned off. The auction will take place on April 4 at Big Sky Farm in Southern Pines.
Painted ponies theme names include: Horses Connect Us All; Horsefeathers; The Chief’s Pony; Living in the Pines; Water for Horses, and more. Local businesses sponsoring the art walk and auction include: McPeake Hotels; C Cups Cupcakery; The Pilot newspaper; Audrey Wiggins/Better Homes and Garden Real Estate Lifestyle Property Partners; Opulance of Southern Pines; WhitLauter Estate Jewellry; McDevitt Town and Country Properties; Pinnock Real Estate and Relocation Services; Longevity Massage and Bodywork Therapy Center; The Country Bookshop; Ashten’s Restaurant; Moore Equine Feed and Pet Supply; English Riding Supply; Cabin Branch Tack Shop and BB&T Bank.
Visitors viewing the Painted Ponies Art Walk are asked to use the hashtag #PaintedPoniesCHP when taking pictures and posting them to social media.
The Carolina Horse Park (CHP) Foundation is a 315 acre, nationally recognized premiere equine competition venue and preservation preserve located in Hoke County, NC. Founded in 1998 as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization by equestrian enthusiasts, CHP is dedicated to the preservation of open space for equestrian events, as well as, educational and recreational purposes. Throughout the year, CHP runs approximately 28 weeks of equestrian events and 10 educational and nature events with visitors and competitors traveling primarily from the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
For more information about the Painted Ponies Art Walk and Auction, visit www.CarolinaHorsePark.com.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
