Crowds watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 98th annual swim in Virginia
Crowds watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 98th annual swim in Virginia
Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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, (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Saltwater Cowboys watch as ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Spectators watch as the Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley
Saltwater Cowboys guide ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A spectator plays in the marsh before the Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A foal plays in the marsh after swimming from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Ponies swim at the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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, (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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, (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Saltwater Cowboys watch as ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Saltwater Cowboys watch as ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Spectators watch as the Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley
Spectators watch as the Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley
Saltwater Cowboys guide ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Saltwater Cowboys guide ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A spectator plays in the marsh before the Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A spectator plays in the marsh before the Saltwater Cowboys guide the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A foal plays in the marsh after swimming from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
A foal plays in the marsh after swimming from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 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. (Tess Crowley/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Ponies swim at the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies swim at the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
Ponies rest after the Chincoteague Pony Swim Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Chicoteague, Va. 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. (Lauren Roberts /The Daily Times via AP)
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) — Thousands of people gathered Wednesday to watch the Chincoteague wild ponies make their annual trek across the Assateague Channel.
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. The horses were made famous in the 1947 classic children’s novel “Misty of Chincoteague” by author Marguerite Henry.
A chestnut-colored filly, No. 70, was crowned Queen Neptune as the first pony to complete the swim, according to The Daily Times.
“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.
