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Chincoteague Island Pony Swim Guide
Click here to see pictures from the 2011 Pony Swim.

Wednesday July 25, 2012 will mark the 87th year of Chincoteague's annual Pony Swim. The Chincoteague Pony Swim was made famous by Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague". Tens of thousands of spectators from around the world gather on Chincoteague Island each year to watch this annual tradition. Scroll down for a complete guide to the Chincoteague Pony Swim. For more information about the Chincoteague Ponies, including their history and origins of the modern day Pony Swim, check out our Chincoteague Pony web page. To see pictures of the 2011 event, click here.

The Pony Round Up: July 21 & 22, 2012

The weekend prior to Wednesday's Pony Swim, "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback will begin to round up the approximately 150 wild ponies that live on Assateague Island. About 50 ponies reside on the southern end of Assateague Island, and will be herded into a southern corral. About 100 ponies reside a little further north on the Assateague Island, and will be herded into a northen corral. On Monday, July 23rd, at day break, the Saltwater Cowboys will move the ponies from the northern corral, down the beach and along the Atlantic Ocean, and join them with the ponies in the southern corral. The ponies can be viewed by the public in the southern corral, which is located on Assateague, just off the road that leads to the beach.

The Pony Swim: July 25, 2012

On Wednesday, July 25th, 2012, the Saltwater Cowboys will swim the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. The swim takes place at "slack tide". Slack tide is a period of about 30 minutes between tides, when there is no current. This is the easiest time for the ponies to make the swim. The time of slack tide varies each year. However, the swim generally takes place some time between 7am and 1pm. The specific time will be announced at the carnival grounds the week of the swim. The Chincoteague Ponies will swim across the Assateague Channel, just south of Memorial Park (7427 Memorial Park Dr, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336) on the east side of Chincoteague Island. There is no charge to see the ponies swim. However, the ONLY parking at Memorial Park is designated for handicap use. All folks coming in just for the day are encouraged to go to Chincoteague Combined School (4586 Main St. Chincoteague Island, VA 23336) and catch the free shuttle. Those lodging on Chincoteague Island may catch a shuttle bus near their lodging. We recommend getting started early on this day and to anticipate a heavy crowd. Click here to view the shuttle bus map. The best way to see the pony swim up close is on a Charter Boat. However, spots on these boats for the pony swim are in very high demand, so be sure to reserve your spot at least several months in advance. After the swim, the ponies rest for about 45 minutes. Then the Saltwater Cowboys will “parade” the ponies down Main Street, to the carnival grounds where the auction will be held Thursday morning. The parade route is shown on the Shuttle Bus Map. Immediately after the ponies are "penned" at the carnival grounds, carnival attractions will get under way until about 4 pm. The workers will take a much needed break until 7 pm when the rides, games, food and fun begin again.

The Pony Auction: July 26, 2012

The purpose of the pony swim is to move the ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island so that the foals can be auctioned. The auction serves two purposes. First, the auction helps to control the overall size of the herd, keeping it from growing too large. Secondly, the auction is a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. The auction begins at 8 am on Thursday July 26, 2012. The following are tips for those who plan to bid for a pony during the auction:
  • Be there early if you wish to bid on a pony. The crowds are huge and you will want a space as close to the front as possible.
  • Wear a sun hat and sunscreen. Bring plenty to drink. A pencil and paper are always useful. A camera is nice. A folding chair is a good idea since the bleachers fill up quickly.
  • You do not have to register for the auction. If you raise your hand during the auctioneer's chant, you ARE MAKING A BID.
  • Your transportation home for your new foal must be approved by the pony committee. (A horse trailer). Ponies must be picked up by 5 pm Friday.
  • The only acceptable forms of payment are Visa, Mastercard, and CASH. The Fire Department will not accept checks!
  • Registration of ponies purchased at auction is provided by the Chincoteague Pony Association.
  • 2010 auction results: 59 ponies sold, average cost $1,310.00, high bid $8,100, low bid $375, total sales $77,275.
  • 2011 auction results: 67 ponies sold, average cost $1,442.00, high bid $6,700, low bid $450, total sales $99,500.
Each year the Fire Company designates a few ponies (usually between 3 to 5) as "Buy Backs". A Buy Back Pony is a foal that is designated by the Fire Company to return to Assateague Island to live out its life there. The Buy Back Pony will be auctioned with the rest of the foals. The winner of a Buy Back Pony will get to name the Pony before it is returned to Assateague. Buy Back Ponies replenish the herd on Assateague. Buy Back Ponies have actually become some of the highest priced ponies sold at the auction.

The Pony Swim back to Assateague: July 27, 2012

On Friday, the adult ponies will make the return swim to Assateague Island where they will live in the wild for another year.