Pony Swim Draws Thousands

The Chincoteague Pony Penning reached its biggest day of the year Wednesday as thousands of visitors lined the shores of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands for the world-famous Pony Swim.

At slack tide, right around 10:00 AM Wednesday morning, the Saltwater Cowboys guided the herd of wild ponies across the Assateague Channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague.

After reaching shore, the ponies made their way through downtown Chincoteague in the annual Pony Parade before arriving at the carnival grounds, where they’ll remain until Thursday morning’s Foal Auction.

The annual Foal Auction is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Thursday, with selected foals being sold to help support the care and management of the Chincoteague herd. The remaining ponies are scheduled to make the return swim to Assateague Island on Friday morning. WESR’s Tom Parks will once again be broadcasting live from the auction.

The Pony Penning once again drew thousands of spectators and remained one of Virginia’s most celebrated summer traditions, while serving as the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s largest annual fundraiser.