Corolla Wild Horse Fund

Fall Open House at the CWHF Farm
2025-11-01 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, 102 Young Rider Lane, Grandy, NC, 27939, United States
Join us Saturday, November 1st for our Fall Open House at the Farm! Visit the farm on the mainland in Grandy and meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care on the walking tour, where you can spend time with our staff. Attend a free movie screening of The Secret of Corolla, a 32-minute documentary on the Banker mustangs, the culture, and lifestyle of the island. There will be a Q&A directly after the screening with the CWHF staff.
Suggested donation of $10 per vehicle at the gate.
CWHF shirts, hats, and other gifts will be available for purchase. You can also sponsor any horse that you meet at the farm! Digital sponsorship includes a photo, certificate, your chosen horse’s story, as well as video updates on your sponsored horse.

THINGS TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME:

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No outside food permitted
Please do not bring apples, carrots, or other food for the horses.
No outside dogs permitted. Service dogs welcome but must be leashed and under control at all times.
Photography is permitted for personal enjoyment. Photos cannot be used for profit without consent from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
CWHF reserves the right to ask any person or persons to leave the property at any time.
Max speed limit is 5 mph at all times.
Check our event page or call before attending, in case of last-minute cancellation. Event is rain or shine, but farm will be closed in the case of lightning or other dangerous weather. Farm may close in the event of certain emergencies or other issues with the horses.
Gates close fifteen minutes prior to the end of the event.
Please remember, this is a working farm! There are mud puddles, biting insects, and animals that poop. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. There is a bathroom on site, but facilities in general are limited.
We are unfortunately unable to accommodate visitors at any other times. The farm is closed to the public outside of open house hours.

CWHF's Meet a Banker Horse
2025-08-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Duck Town Park, 1200 Duck Rd, Duck, NC, 27949
Come meet a rescued, gentled Banker horse and learn more about the wild horses, the rescue farm, and what the Corolla Wild Horse Fund does to keep the horses safe and thriving.

CWHF's Meet a Banker Horse
2025-07-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Dowdy Park, 3005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959

Holiday Open House / Meet a Banker
2024-11-30 11:00 - 20:00 | CWHF Museum & Gift Shop, 1130-E Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC, 27927
CWHF Holiday Open House / Meet a Banker @ the Museum Gift Shop in the Historic Corolla Village
Saturday, November 30th, from 11 am – 8 pm / Meet a Banker from 4 pm – 5 pm.
Celebrate the holiday season at The Corolla Wild Horse Fund Open House. Meet a previously wild Banker horse from 4 pm to 5 pm. Shop for a cause, learn about the legendary Banker horses of the Outer Banks, let the magic of the season begin!
Our event occurs during the Corolla Christmas Village festivities in the Historic Village, where you will step back into a winter wonderland and experience the magic of sparkling lights, winter delights, ice skating, and more.

Book Signing
2024-10-16 13:00 - 15:00 | CWHF Museum & Gift Shop, 1130-E Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC, 27927
Join us at the CWHF Museum & Gift Shop on Wednesday, October 16th for a Book Signing of An Independent Spirit by author, Donna Campbell Smith.

Mustang Mornings - This Event Canceled
2024-08-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, 102 Young Rider Lane, Grandy, NC, 27939, United States
Due to the tropical storm we are canceling the event on 8/7/24.

Join us on Wednesdays this summer for Mustang Mornings at the Farm. Beginning May 22, the Betsy Dowdy Equine Center will be open to the public from 10 am – 2 pm. Visit the farm on the mainland in Grandy and meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care on the walking tour, where you can spend time with our staff. Attend a free movie screening of The Secret of Corolla, a 32-minute documentary on the Banker mustangs, the culture, and lifestyle of the island. There will be a Q&A directly after the screening with the CWHF Director of Herd Management, Meg Puckett.
Suggested donation of $10 per vehicle at the gate.
CWHF shirts, hats, and other gifts will be available. All purchases benefit the horses. You can also sponsor any of the rescue horses. Sponsorship includes a photo and certificate, as well as quarterly updates on your sponsored horse.

THINGS TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME:

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No outside food permitted
Please do not bring apples, carrots, or other treats for the horses.
No outside dogs permitted. Dogs may not be left unattended in vehicles. Service dogs welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
Photography is permitted for personal enjoyment. Photos cannot be used for profit without consent from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
CWHF reserves the right to ask any person or persons to leave the property at any time.
Max speed limit is 5 mph at all times.
Check the event page or call before attending, in case of last-minute cancellation. Event is rain or shine, but the farm will be closed in the case of lightning or other dangerous weather. The farm may close in the event of certain emergencies or other issues with the horses.
Gates close fifteen minutes prior to the end of the event.
Remember, this is a working farm! There are mud puddles, biting insects, and animals that poop. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. There is a bathroom on site, but facilities, in general, are limited.
We are unfortunately unable to accommodate visitors at any other times. The farm is closed to the public outside of open house hours.

CWHF's Meet a Banker Horse
2024-07-23 10:00, 2024-07-09 10:00 | Duck on the Green, 1200 Duck Road, Duck, NC, 27949
Description is the same for all: Come meet a rescued, gentled Banker horse and learn more about the wild horses, the rescue farm, and what the Corolla Wild Horse Fund does to keep the horses safe and thriving.

CWHF's Meet a Banker Horse
2024-07-16 16:00 - 19:00 | Dowdy Park, 3005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959

CWHF's Meet a Banker Horse
2024-06-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Sanctuary Vineyards, 7005 Caratoke Hwy, Jarvisburg, NC, 27947, United States

Meet Riptide in Historic Corolla Village
2023-11-25 16:00 - 18:00 | CWHF Museum & Gift Shop, 1130-E Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC, 27927
Start the holiday season by spending an evening in the lighted village with a Banker horse! Riptide is a four-year-old stallion who was removed from the wild as a colt due to a serious infection requiring life-saving treatment. Our Director of Herd Management, Meg Puckett, will talk about the wild horses of Corolla and our work to protect them. Our museum and gift show will also be open along with many other local businesses in celebration of the upcoming holiday season.

Holiday Open House at the Farm
2022-12-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, 102 Young Rider Lane, Grandy, NC, 27939, United States
Join us Saturday, December 10th for a Holiday Open House at the Farm! Meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care and chat with the staff responsible for their care, and the management of the wild horses. At 11:00 am there will be a special screening of the award-winning documentary “The Secret of Corolla”.
Shop for holiday gifts! CWHF shirts, hats, and other gifts are available for purchase and local vendors and artisans will be on-site. There will also be raffles for paintings by the horses! You can sponsor any of the rescue horses too. Sponsorship includes a photo and certificate, as well as quarterly updates on your sponsored horse.
There is a suggested donation of $10 per car at the gate.

THINGS TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME:

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
No outside food permitted.
Please do not bring apples, carrots, or other treats for the horses.
No outside dogs permitted. Service dogs welcome, but must be leashed and under control at all times.
CWHF reserves the right to ask any person or persons to leave the property at any time.
Max speed limit is 5 mph at all times.
Check event page or call before attending, in case of last minute cancellation. Event is rain or shine, but farm will be closed in the case of lightning or other dangerous weather. Farm may close in the event of certain emergencies or other issues with the horses.
Gates close fifteen minutes prior to the end of the event.
Remember, this is a working farm! There are mud puddles, biting insects, and animals that poop. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. There is a bathroom on site, but facilities in general are limited.
We are unfortunately unable to accommodate visitors at any other times. The farm is closed to the public outside of open house hours.

The Secret of Corolla Film Premiere
2021-09-11 | Musem of the Albemarle, 501 S Water St, Elizabeth City, NC, 27909, United States
Join us for the premiere of The Secret Of Corolla on September 11th at The Museum of the Albermarle in Elizabeth City, NC. It will be an all day event. Check here for an update of scheduled activities for this event.
The Secret Of Corolla is the story about the Wild Colonial Spanish Horses found on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and how they have made those islands their home. It’s a story of perseverance. Not just by the horses, but also by the people who call this very special place their home. Through devastating hurricanes, swarms of biting flies and mosquitos, and the constant pressure from developing the islands into prime beach vacation property, these horses, and the people they share the islands with have found a way to live together in a most uncommon accord. They have created an incredibly remarkable and uniquely wondrous place.

Sunset Sounds - Free Concert Series
2021-07-15 17:00 - 19:30 | Historic Corolla Village Courtyard, 1130 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC, 27927, United States
LIVE MUSIC – MERCHANT SPECIALS – MEET A MUSTANG
FREE Family-Oriented Event in Historic Corolla Village:
Start your evening at Sunset Sounds, a free concert, and community event in the Historic Corolla Village, on Thursday, July 15th. Enjoy live music from singer-songwriter Janet Martin from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the courtyard adjacent to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Museum. Stroll through the old, restored village to find specials and sales, the best BBQ, delicious pizza, wraps, and sandwiches — all available from local merchants. Sanctuary Vineyards will be there too! Lawn chairs and blankets welcome. Weather permitting, a rescued Corolla mustang may join us… if he’s in the mood.

Hoofstock - A CWHF Fundraiser
2021-06-12 12:00 - 17:00 | Sanctuary Vineyards, 7005 Caratoke Hwy, Jarvisburg, NC, 27947, United States
Sanctuary Vineyards loves the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and wants to help spread their message (and have some fun at the same time.)
On June 12, Sanctuary Vineyards celebrates the Corolla Wild Horse Fund with a day of live music, food trucks, and local wines and beers. There is a suggestion of a minimum donation of $10 to attend, and you will receive a cardstock cutout of a horse to paint – your painting will be added to a community art project that will be displayed for future CWHF visitors. There will be the opportunity to meet real Corolla previously wild horses on-site, and learn more about the Corolla Wild Horse Fund’s mission.
A portion of Sanctuary Vineyard’s sales that day (and the entire week prior) will be donated directly to CWHF too, so you can feel good about that glass of wine!
Band Schedule to be announced.
This event will not feature advance tickets, simply make a donation at the entrance gate and enjoy the party!

Sebi the Colt Book Signing and Meet a Mustang
2021-06-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Dowdy Park, 3005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959

Meet a Mustang
2021-04-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Sanderling Resort, 1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC, 27949, United States
Join us for the Opportunity to Interact with a Majestic Wild Mustang!
Our wild horses are the pride of the Outer Banks in the 8,000+ acres of National Wildlife Refuge where they frolic along the shores. Before your wild horse tour with Corolla Outback Adventures, meet a rehabilitated wild mustang right on the beach here at Sanderling! Learn from a Corolla Wild Horse Fund Herd Manager about the ancestry, diet, threats, and advocacy needed for these very special majestic neighbors.
• On the Beach (adjacent to Beach House)
• Weather Dependent

Mustang Rock & Roast - Cancelled
2020-10-17 - 2020-10-18 | Mike Dianna’s Grill Room, 777 Sunset Blvd, Corolla, NC, 27927
Sorry, this event has been cancelled due to Covid-19.
A barbecue cook-off on Saturday, October 17 plus an oyster roast on Sunday, October 18 coupled with nonstop funk, rock n’ roll, jam, and blues music all weekend will make the Third Annual Mustang Rock & Roast the ultimate end of the season party at Mike Dianna’s Grill Room in Corolla.
Mustang Rock & Roast will serve up the ultimate music and food experience, providing festival-goers with a full weekend of live music by more than 10 different bands as well as North Carolina oysters and barbecue.
Tickets to Mustang Rock & Roast will be available online as well as at Trio in Kitty Hawk and Mike Dianna’s Grill Room once the full music lineup is announced. The two-day and single day tickets include live music, unlimited food from the oyster roast and/or barbecue cook off, plus free access to the after parties. Children 12 and under are free.
For tickets and more information about the Third Annual Mustang Rock & Roast, click here.
A portion of the proceeds from the Third Annual Mustang Rock & Roast will go to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and the Mustang Outreach Program. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund protects, conserves, and responsibly manages the herd of wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs roaming freely on the northernmost Currituck Outer Banks. The Mustang Outreach Program supplements the cultural arts programs in local schools with world class music performances, residencies and mentoring programs.

Christmas with the Corollas
2019-12-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, 102 Young Rider Lane, Grandy, NC, 27939, United States
Join us on Saturday, December 21 for a holiday open house! Visit with Santa from 12pm-2pm, take a festive horse-drawn wagon ride, meet the rescued horses – and mule! – and get some last minute Christmas shopping done. Horse sponsorships, mustang paintings, and CWHF gear make great gifts!
Suggested donation of $10/vehicle at the gate.

Fall Festival at the Farm
2019-11-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, 102 Young Rider Lane, Grandy, NC, 27939, United States
Join us for a special open house and fall festival at our rehab facility in Grandy, with a special ribbon cutting for Raymond the mule’s new pasture at noon. Drawing for a horse hair pot at 1pm – must be present to win. Suggested donation of $10 per vehicle at the gate. Be the first to purchase our limited edition new tee-shirts in honor of our return to the Old Village in Corolla. Wagon rides, Paint a Mustang, bounce house, and more! Meet the rescued mustangs who live on the farm – including Raymond! Food and drink vendors will be on site.

CANCELLED TODAY - Meet a Mustang at Sanctuary Vineyards
2019-09-05 17:00 | Sanctuary Vineyards, 7005 Caratoke Hwy, Jarvisburg, NC, 27947, United States
CANCELLED TODAY – sorry cancelled due to weather.
Join Us for our final Meet a Mustang event of the season at Sanctuary Vineyards Acoustic Sunset event. Meet a rescued, gentled mustang and learn about the history of the wild Colonial Spanish mustangs of the Currituck Outer Banks. Enjoy live music, free wine tasting and bring a blanket, chair and a picnic basket for a wonderful evening and fun for all.

CANCELLED TODAY - Member Mornings on the Rescue Farm
2019-09-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, 102 Young Rider Lane, Grandy, NC, 27939, United States
CANCELLED TODAY – Sorry cancelled due to weather.
Beginning May 29th, the Betsy Dowdy Equine Center will be open from 10am – 2pm every Wednesday. Visit the farm located on the mainland in Grandy, and meet the rescued Corolla horses current in our care.
We look forward to meeting many of our members, and we invite all prospective members as well!
While visiting, shop for CWHF branded merchandise, all proceeds go directly to the care of the horses. Ask about how you can sponsor any of the rescues you meet while here.
Stay tuned to our event page for information about demonstrations and other special presentations each week.
Suggested donation of $5 per vehicle goes directly to the care of the horses.
THINGS TO KNOW:
• Visitors are only admitted during Member Mornings events
• Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times
• No outside food permitted
• Please do no bring apples, carrots or any treats for the horses
• Event is rain or shine except in case of lightening/dangerous weather
• Please see website for more details
• Check CWHF events page or call before coming

CANCELLED TODAY - Meet a Mustang at The Cotton Gin
2019-08-29 16:00 | Cotton Gin – Duck, 1185 Duck Road, Duck, NC, 27949, United States
The Cotton Gin and CWHF team up for family fun with “Meet a Mustang” events throughout the summer. Come by and learn the history of this legendary breed, only found on the Outer Banks. This event series is family fun and vacation memories for all!
This event is subject to change due to weather and other factors when dealing with horses and their care. Check our website/Facebook for update info on this event.

Cancelled Due to Weather Today! - Meet a Mustang at The Cotton Gin
2019-08-15 16:00 | Cotton Gin – Nags Head, 5151 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959, United States
8/15/19 Cancelled Due to Weather Today! – Meet a Mustang at The Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin and CWHF team up for family fun with “Meet a Mustang” events throughout the summer. Come by and learn the history of this legendary breed, only found on the Outer Banks. This event series is family fun and vacation memories for all!
This event is subject to change due to weather and other factors when dealing with horses and their care. Check our website/Facebook for update info on this event.

Meet a Mustang at The Cotton Gin
2019-07-25 16:00 | Cotton Gin – Duck, 1185 Duck Road, Duck, NC, 27949, United States

Meet a Mustang at The Cotton Gin
2019-07-18 16:00 | Cotton Gin – Corolla, 789 Sunset Blvd, Corolla, NC, 27927, United States

Meet a Mustang at The Cotton Gin
2019-07-11 16:00 | Cotton Gin – Nags Head, 5151 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959, United States

Whalehead Wednesdays
2019-07-03 | Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park, 1100 Club Rd, Corolla, NC, 27927, United States
Join us at Whalehead Wednesday and meet a rescued, gentled mustang and learn about the history of the wild Colonial Spanish mustangs of the Currituck Outer Banks. We will also be offering Paint a Mustang our signature kid’s event. This activity is fun for all ages. We provide the paint, brushes, smocks and wooden horse cutouts for you to paint any way you like. Take home a memento of your vacation that also reflects your contribution to a great cause. All the proceeds from this fundraising activity go to the protection of the Corolla wild horses. All Meet a Mustang events are subject to change due to weather and other factors when dealing with horses and their care. Check our website/Facebook for update info on this event.
