So you’ve always wanted to see the Chincoteague Ponies in the wild. Maybe you read the book “Misty of Chincoteague” as a child and you’ve decided to make the trip to Chincoteague Island to finally check seeing the ponies off your bucket list. The information in this blog post will help you best utilize your…[read more]
Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim attracts nationwide attention. The swim and auction take place on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. Did you know that the Saltwater Cowboys round up the Wild Ponies on Assateague at two other times of the year? The first roundup is April, and the last roundup is in October….[read more]
Photo credit: DSC Photography For the first time since WWII, the Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction has been cancelled. Officials in Virginia cancelled the annual event and associated activities due to Covid-19. The swim would have marked its 95th year. The auction will be an entirely online event hosted by longtime Chincoteague auctioneer Tim Jennings…[read more]
Today the Saltwater Cowboys moved the Northern Herd ponies from the north corral, down the beach and along the ocean, to the south corral. All the ponies (south herd and north herd) are in the south corral and ready for the big Pony Swim on Wednesday. It was a beautiful morning on Assateague Island. Spectators…[read more]
July 20, 2019 – The South Herd Roundup started earlier than usual to avoid the excessive heat expected later in the day. The Saltwater Cowboys make it all happen!
The 2018 Spring Round Up will take place Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 14th, 2018. Chincoteague’s annual Pony Swim attracts nationwide attention. The swim and auction take place on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year. 2018 will mark the 93rd anniversary of the world famous event. Did you know that the…[read more]
Wednesday July 26, 2017 marked the 92nd 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 pictures and video of this year’s…[read more]
Q: When is the auction? A: The auction runs from approximately 8am until Noon on Thursday (the day after the swim). Q: What should I take with me to the auction? A: Seating is limited so you may want to bring your own chair. It’s usually hot and humid at the auction so bring water,…[read more]
Q: What time do the Ponies swim? A: The Saltwater Cowboys swim the Ponies at “slack tide”. Slack tide is a period of about 40 minutes after the current stops moving in one direction, and before it starts moving in the opposite direction. Slack tide is the easiest time for the Ponies to make the…[read more]
Wild ponies have inhabited Assateague Island for hundreds of years. Today two herds of wild horses make their home on Assateague Island, separated by a fence at the Maryland-Virginia line. The Maryland herd is managed by the National Park Service. The Virginia herd is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Each year the Chincoteague…[read more]