It’s a time-honored day you may remember from childhood books, even if you’ve never experienced it yourself: Pony Penning Day, or the Chincoteague Pony Swim, falls on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year, and brings the wild ponies of Assateague across the channel to excited new owners waiting on the western shore. One of the most unique traditions in the Bay region, the pony swim draws huge crowds to the small-town Virginia barrier island. Tourism revolves around the ponies. This year is the 99th annual swim sponsored by the Chincoteague Fire Department, although the practice itself dates back to the 1800s.
Author Marguerite Henry introduced the Chincoteague ponies (technically called “Assateague horses”) to international readers in 1947 with her children’s novel, Misty of Chincoteague. More than 75 years later, tens of thousands of pony enthusiasts will crowd the shores of Veterans Memorial Park to watch the ponies make their swim with the Saltwater Cowboys (Chincoteague fire department volunteers who round the animals up).
If you’d like to attend the Pony Swim, plan to come for the multiple festivities leading up to the Big Event. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your week.
Saturday, July 20
Southern Herd Roundup
The Saltwater Cowboys will aim to round up roughly 150 adult wild ponies and 60-70 foals living on Assateague Island. Roughly 50 adult ponies and their foals live on the southern end of Assateague, and the Saltwater Cowboys will begin rounding them up and putting them in the South Corral located on Assateague in front of the Woodland Trail parking lot. The South Corral is open to the public, and visitors are encourage to see the ponies before their big swim on Wednesday morning.
Sunday, July 21
Northern Herd Roundup
The remaining 100 or so ponies and their foals who reside further north on the Island will be herded into the North Corral beginning around 6am. Once the ponies are safe and secure, the public is encouraged to come and view them. But just know that the North Corral is roughly 3 miles from the parking lot. Visitors are encouraged to either plan on walking for six miles, or bring a bicycle.
Monday, July 22
The Pony Beach Walk
Early risers will enjoy coming out for the Pony Beach Walk, when the Saltwater Cowboys move the ponies from the Northern Corral to the Southern Corral along the beachfront. The Wildlife Refuge will open at 5am for visitors, and you’re encouraged to spectate along the beach. Remember to bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Tuesday, July 23
Pony Vet Checks
It’s starting to get real for the ponies, who will go through a series of health checks by veterinarians in advance of their big day.
Wednesday, July 24
The Pony Swim
The big day is finally here! Shuttles will begin bringing in spectators to Veterans Memorial Park starting at 7am. The Saltwater Cowboys will swim the ponies across Assateague Channel to the eastern side of Chincoteague Island, where they will land at Pony Swim Lane just south of the park. Space at Pony Swim Lane is limited, as the area is marshland.
The ponies will swim at slack tide, when there is little to no current. This is the easiest time for the ponies to make the swim. But this time does vary from year to year, so check tide charts. The specific time will be announced the week of the swim.
After coming ashore, ponies rest for roughly 45 minutes before the Saltwater Cowboys parade them down Main Street to carnival grounds where the auction occurs Thursday morning.
Thursday, July 25
Pony Auction
The auction helps control the overall size of the pony herd, and is vital to the ponies’ health and safety. It is also a fundraiser for the Fire Company, which uses some of the proceeds from the auction to provide veterinary care for the ponies throughout the year. The auction begins at 8am and is very crowded, so get there early.
Friday, July 26
Pony Swim Back
The adult ponies not sold at auction will make the swim back to Chincoteague on Friday, where they’ll live in the wild for another year.
For more information, and to check out the many other events and festivals happening in the area for the Pony Swim week, check out chincoteague.com/pony-swim/pony-swim-guide/.
Please note: an earlier edition of this article state that the Pony Swim shuttle would begin at 4am. Due to the later timing of slack tide, the shuttle service will begin at 7am. For more information, click here.
