PAINTED PONIES ART WALK & AUCTION

painted Ponies art Walk & Auction

Auction Date: April 19, 2026 from 4-6 PM ET

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, in-person 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.

Meet The 2026 painted Ponies

artistry, creativity, and community spirit

#1 - Miss Poppet, Horse of our Heart

Artist: Caleigh Conlin

Sponsors

Carrollton Farm – Karen Conlin

#2 - Kumbha Rasi

Artist: Carl Knutson

Sponsors

Carl Knutson (The Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills)

#3 - A Bit of Comfort II

Artist: Christina Reynolds

Sponsors

Southern Prime Steakhouse & Cabin Branch Tack Shop

#4 - After the Rain Comes Light

Artist: Natasha Russell

Sponsors

Denali Equine: Dr. Kate & Mike Workman & Juli Sillman

#5 - The Tale of The Brightmare- A Story of Childhood Resilience

Artist: Nicole Sinay Torres

Sponsors

Cork: Patrick McKee

#6 - Let It Ride

Artist: Vanessa Grebe

Sponsors

Mike and Aimee Wilson

#7 - Celebrating Pollinators

Artist: Whitney Kurlan

Sponsors

The Pilot: Kathy Desmond

#8 - Seahorse

Artist: Cassidy Oeltjen

Sponsors

Breezeway Sporthorse and Diagnostic Clinic

#9 - Curiouser and Curiouser

Artist: Shelly Turner

Sponsors

WhitLauter Estate Jewelery – Whitney or Leann Parker

#10 - Rein It In

Artist: Lily Comer-Taylor

Sponsors

Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique

#11 - Spring Equine-Nox

Artist: Judi Fleming

Sponsors

The Amazing Grace Farm: Glenda Kirby

#12 - Lotus

Artist: Melissa Tatge

Sponsors

Better Homes & Gardens LPP, Audrey Wiggins, Opulence & DUXIANA of Southern Pines

#13 - 250 Years of American Spirit

Artist: Yvette Sparks

Sponsors

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau

#14 - Mistress

Artist: Tom Trieloff

Sponsors

Don Warren and Heidi Grimm-Powell (Co-Chairs of the Carolina Horse Park Board of Directors)

#15 - an Reul-iùil (Gaelic for the North star)

Artist: Adam Garland

Sponsors

Ashten’s Restaurant

Hawkins & Hawkins

CDP Stables

#16 - Born of Fire

Artist: Leah Thiel

Sponsors

NC Sandhill Prescribed Burn Association, 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