Historical Pony: Birdcatcher Spots Mare

This is a really interesting historical mare. She developed a ton of birdcatcher spots that she kept until she died. The first picture of Kathy O'Dette's is from Pony Penning 1986 before the mare had any spots. The next photo of Kathy's is from 1995 and she's covered in birdcatcher spots. Still has them in 2000 as an aged mare when Jaye Okolovitch photographed her at the Carnival Grounds. I saw her at Pony Penning 2001 and it seems she passed away that year.

Birdcatcher spots themselves don't appear to be genetic. They're currently thought to be the result of an allergic reaction to bug bites. Some ponies have the spots pop up and go away, others like this mare keep them once they have them. More info and pictures of birdcatcher spots: https://www.thecolorfulchincoteague.com/birdcatcher.html

Something else that makes her interesting is I think she may have been another breed or a partbred Chincoteague. She was really big compared to her herdmates. She had an unusual C2 brand on her neck, have found 2 other mares that had that too. Have no idea what that means if anything. Though the other two mares with that brand were also big mares. Something to ponder.
Chincoteague Pony outcross history: https://www.thecolorfulchincoteague.com/outcrosshistory.html

Unfortunately I haven't figured out her name. She has an identification number brand on her left shoulder that starts with A, but that's all I've been able to make out. You can see the brand in the 1995 and 2000 photos. If anyone can make it out or has more info on her I'd love you!