PAINTED PONIES ART WALK & AUCTION
painted Ponies art Walk & Auction
Paint the Town with the Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk and Auction!
The Ponies will be revealed on January 31, 2026!
Celebrate the artistry, creativity, and community spirit of Southern Pines with the Carolina Horse Park’s Painted Ponies Art Walk & Auction! Along Broad Street from February, March and part of April, the Painted Ponies will grace Broad Street, each uniquely designed by local artists and sponsored by area businesses and residents. This free, family-friendly art walk is the perfect way to explore Southern Pines while supporting a great cause.
View this year’s ponies at the bottom of the page!
When & Where to See the Ponies
A community affair in downtown southern pines
The Painted Ponies will be on display along Broad Street from February, March and part of April. Complimentary maps are available at the Southern Pines Visitors Center in the Train Station to guide your walk. Snap a photo with your favorite pony and share it with the hashtag #CHPPaintedPonies—your photos may even be featured on our social media!
the auction: April 19, 2026
a live, online auction with a great cause
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 19, 2026 for the LIVE Online Auction! This thrilling event is the pinnacle of the Painted Ponies season, with all 16 ponies finding new homes through spirited bidding wars. In 2024, the auction raised over $100,000 for the Carolina Horse Park Foundation, with ponies selling for anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000. Proceeds directly support the Park’s mission to preserve open space, provide exceptional facilities, and host equestrian and community events.
why it matters
let’s paint the town and leave a legacy
The Painted Ponies Auction is one of the top fundraisers for the Carolina Horse Park, a 501(c)(3) charitable Nonprofit Organization. Funds raised help keep the Park in prime condition, ensuring the safety of horses and riders, and maintaining open spaces for equestrian and recreational activities—all free and open to the public.
the 2026 painted Ponies are coming soon!
artistry, creativity, and community spirit
#1
Artist: Caleigh Conlin
Sponsors
Carrollton Farm – Karen Conlin
#2
Artist: Carl Knutson
Sponsors
Carl Knutson (The Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills)
#3
Artist: Christina Reynolds
Sponsors
Southern Prime Steakhouse & Cabin Branch Tack Shop
#4
Artist: Natasha Corday
Sponsors
Denali Equine: Dr. Kate Workman & Dr. Gabrielle Cataford-Sauvé
#5
Artist: Nicole Sinay
Sponsors
Cork: Patrick McKee
#6
Artist: Vanessa Grebe
Sponsors
Mike and Aimee Wilson
#7
Artist: Whitney Kurlan
Sponsors
The Pilot: Kathy Desmond
#8
Artist: Cassidy Oeltjen
Sponsors
Breezeway Sporthorse and Diagnostic Clinic
#9
Artist: Shelly Gerrtsma
Sponsors
WhitLauter Estate Jewellery – Whitney or Leann Parker
#10
Artist: Lily Comer-Taylor
Sponsors
Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique
#11
Artist: Judi Fleming
Sponsors
The Amazing Grace Farm: Glenda Kirby
#12
Artist: Melissa Tatge
Sponsors
Better Homes & Gardens LPP, Audrey Wiggins, Opulence & DUXIANA of Southern Pines
#13
Artist: Yvette Sparks
Sponsors
Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau
#14
Artist: Tom Trieloff
Sponsors
Don Warren and Heidi Grimm-Powell (Co-Chairs of the Carolina Horse Park Board of Directors)
#15
Artist: Adam Garland
Sponsors
Ashten’s Restaurant
Hawkins & Hawkins
CDP Stables
#16
Artist: Leah Thiel
Sponsors
NC Sandhill Prescribed Burn Assoc., Jesse Wimberley
Behind the scenes
a creative mind, long hours and beautiful results
It takes over two months for local artists to design and create these stunning sculptures, each paired with their sponsors to finalize a unique theme. The ponies are then clear-coated by Sandhills Community College’s Collision and Automotive Center to ensure their beauty shines in any weather. Each pony features a plaque with its name, artist, and sponsor, along with a QR code linking to additional details about the pony’s creators and supporters.
Whether you’re walking the walk or joining the excitement of the live auction, the Painted Ponies Art Walk & Auction is a cherished Southern Pines tradition. For more information about sponsorships, artists, or the auction, contact our Director of Development.
Thank you to our sponsors
