Annual Pony Swim and Auction

The annual round up of wild ponies from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island on Virginia's Eastern Shore has captured the hearts and minds of visitors for years. Volunteer firemen round up the ponies on Assateague Island and on the last Wednesday in July (before the last Thursday), swim them across the channel to Chincoteague Island where they rest before being herded down Main Street to the carnival grounds. On the last Thursday of July, from 8:00 a.m. until noon, there is an auction held at the Carnival grounds to sell the foals born this year. Once purchased, the ponies can be transported anywhere in the United States as they have already been cleared for travel by the veterinarian.

Made famous by Marquerite Henry's book, Misty of Chincoteague, the wild Chincoteague Ponies have captured the hearts of people young and old. Come capture a part of the magic of Pony Penning.