CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. — Thousands of people gathered Wednesday to watch the Chincoteague wild ponies make their annual trek across the Assateague Channel.
Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies Wednesday from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The tradition in its 98th year includes Wednesday's swim and an auction on Thursday, which is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which manages the wild pony herd.
The tradition in its 98th year includes Wednesday's swim and an auction Thursday, the biggest annual fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which manages the wild pony herd.
Saltwater Cowboys watch Wednesday as ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The tradition in its 98th year includes Wednesday's swim and an auction on Thursday, which is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which manages the wild pony herd.
The horses were made famous in the 1947 classic children’s novel “Misty of Chincoteague” by author Marguerite Henry.
Saltwater Cowboys guide ponies Wednesday from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
A chestnut-colored filly, No. 70, was crowned Queen Neptune as the first pony to complete the swim, according to The Daily Times.
Ponies rest Wednesday after the Chincoteague Pony Swim in Chicoteague, Va.
“Saltwater cowboys” on horseback round up ponies, who swim the Assateague Channel and come ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. Foals are auctioned off to help control the size of the herd, although a few are designated to return to Assateague Island to remain and help replenish the herd.
