AIA Auctions Three During ‘Name that Foal’ Fundraising Event

How would you like to name a foal on Assateague Island?

Assateague Island Alliance holds a ‘Name that Foal’ fundraising auction for Assateague Island National Seashore’s wild horse management program each year. The auction kicked off on Dec. 8, allowing three winners to name the newest born members of the island.

According to AIA, the National Seashore’s horse population is currently at 89 horses, which is within the target range of 80 – 100, meaning more mares were allowed to foal. A total of six horses were born into the herd in 2016.

One winner of the auction was Leigh Shuck of Frederica, Del. Shuck placed the highest bid in the first of four Name That Foal fundraising auctions and chose to name N2BHS-O, a sorrel colt, ‘Sarah’s SweetTea’ to honor her late daughter.

N2BHS-O, also know as ‘Sarah’s SweetTea,’ on Assateague Island (Photo: AIA).

“I lost my daughter, Sarah, to cancer in 2009,” Shuck says. “She loved to ride horses and had one of her own. I have chosen the name ‘Sarah’s SweetTea’ for this colt in honor of my Sarah. She loved drinking sweet tea and was my sweety.”

Sarah’s SweetTea was the first foal to be born in the Maryland herd of Assateague horses in 2016.

Sarah’s SweetTea’s dam is the famed Carol’s Girl, otherwise known as N2BHS, who is immune to the contraceptive vaccine PZP used to control the horse population. His sire is most likely the pinto stallion Yankee, otherwise known as N9BM-E. All three horses tend to stay in the developed zone of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park.

N2BHS-AIO running on Assateague Island (Photo: AIA).

The results of the second and third auctions will be announced in January as the highest bidder is presented naming rights of foals N2BHS-AO and N2BHS-AIO as a holiday surprise.