The Annual Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Pony Swim & Auction, or Pony Penning, as many call it, is a week-long tradition consisting of several special events: The Roundups, The Beachwalk, Vet Checks and Buyback Selections, The Pony Swim, The Auction of the Foals, and The Swimback. The Carnival also takes place in the evenings of Pony Swim Week.
The Pony Swim, is many things to many people. It is a homecoming event, bringing those born and raised on Chincoteague Island back home to visit. It is a tradition for families that have been coming to the festivities for generations. It is a once in a lifetime experience for those that read Misty of Chincoteague when they were a child and now read it to their children and grandchildren. It is a bucket list item for those that have dreamed of visiting to experience this event that is like no other.
We are here to help make your visit most memorable! We provide downloadable Pony Swim Guides with the schedule of events, helpful hints, and shuttle map. Our website is the best place to find the official information from the Town of Chincoteague and the CVFC about the Pony Swim. Also, we are here in person at the Chamber office, 6733 Maddox Boulevard, to answer questions, guide you through the details, and even provide hard copies of the Pony Swim Guide. Whatever the reason for your visit, we look forward to welcoming you to our little island to experience this world-famous event steeped in tradition with Saltwater Cowboys and wild Chincoteague Ponies, which are also the official Pony of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
WHY DO THE PONY SWIM & AUCTION?
Why do we round up the ponies? To protect them and keep them healthy! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. They determined the ideal population size to ensure the Chincoteague Ponies have ample acreage filled with salt marsh grass to graze on and freshwater ponds to drink from. The total number of ponies in the Northern and Southern Herds is limited to 150 total ponies to maintain the health and wellbeing of the ponies.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC) maintains a permit with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to graze 150 Chincoteague Ponies on the refuge each year. During foaling season, the number of ponies will exceed that amount, thus the need for the annual Pony Swim & Auction.
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is the official tourism office of the Town of Chincoteague and a Destination Marketing Organization with Virginia Tourism Corporation.
The first event of the festivities is the Southern Herd Roundup. Typically held the Saturday before Pony Swim early in the morning. The timing is always tentative depending on weather and other factors. During this round up, the Saltwater Cowboys, on horseback collect the Southern Herd on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. They begin near the Assateague Lighthouse and lead the Chincoteague Ponies through the woods and marsh into the Southern Corral at the head of the Woodland Trail.
If you want to see the Southern Herd Roundup you have a few options. You can park on the side of Beach Road near the marsh overlook (past the lighthouse, after the sharp left bend). Please be sure to pull off the road and do not block traffic. You can also park in the beach parking area or the small lot at the entrance of the Wildlife Loop and walk or bike to the area to view the roundup. Finally, you can park in the Woodland Trail lot which is next to the Southern Corral. To do this, you will want to get there early and be prepared to stay until the roundup is complete, as the entrance to the lot is blocked off to allow the ponies to enter the corral.
The Southern Herd consists of about 50 or more ponies (adults and foals) and the roundup takes about an hour and a half to complete, depending on how cooperative the ponies are! Bring your camera, bug spray, a drink to stay hydrated, and a chair. Stay and enjoy watching the ponies up close in the corral as the stallions sort out their bands and foals take a much-needed nap!
The Northern Herd Roundup typically takes place on Sunday morning prior to the Swim, however, this event is not open to the public. The Saltwater Cowboys will round up the northern herd of ponies and corral them in the Northern Corral. This roundup takes about 5-6 hours due to a larger herd size (100 to 150 ponies) and acreage to be covered. While you can’t view this event, it is a great day to visit the Southern Herd in their corral and pick out your favorite foal.
The Beach Walk is a mystical event! There is something about the sound of waves crashing on shore, a salty breeze blowing, and Saltwater Cowboys on horseback leading the Northern Herd Chincoteague Ponies down the beach through a morning mist as the sun rises. It is just that special!
Starting at 6:00 Monday morning, the Saltwater Cowboys lead the Northern Herd from the Northern Corral on Assateague Island and walk them down the beach to join the Southern Herd in the Southern Corral. They meander between the dunes and the surf to the delight of onlookers. Once they make it to Beach Road, they head down the road to the Southern Corral and join the Southern Herd.
To view the Beach Walk you can bike or drive to the beach as you would any day. The fee booth at the entrance to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge opens at 5am that morning. Park at the beach lots and head north to find a good spot along the beach to watch. You can also park at the Wildlife Loop and walk or bike out to Swan Cove Trail for a quieter experience. Parking will fill up, so plan appropriately. The ponies usually arrive at the beach parking lot around 7am.
After the walk is over, many attendees head back to their accommodation for a morning nap or to eat breakfast, but it is also an exceptionally pleasant time to be at the beach. Pack a chair and cooler with your breakfast and enjoy the morning with your toes in the sand at the Assateague Island National Seashore.
Stop by the corral on Tuesday to see vet checks take place. Each pony will get a thorough exam by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s dedicated veterinary staff to make sure it is safe for them to make the swim and buyback ponies will be chosen. Any ponies not cleared to swim due to age, pregnancy, injury, etc. will be trailered over to the Carnival Grounds.
The fire company, who maintain a close watch on the herds, will determine if any ponies passed during the year and what new foal bloodlines would be beneficial to the herd for its longevity.
Foals selected to re-join the herds on Assateague are called buyback ponies and will be auctioned the day after the Pony Swim along with the other foals. The highest bidder of a buyback foal receives a photo op and naming rights to the pony, but fully understands prior to bidding that the proceeds of their purchase are a donation back to the fire company. The buybacks will live their lives on Assateague Island with hopes that they will contribute to the legacy of the Chincoteague Pony herd.
Over the years, pony lovers have banded together to pool their money each year and contribute to this legacy. Buyback ponies have historically brought the highest bids at auction time. In 2024 there were 88 ponies sold, including 7 buybacks. The highest bid for a buyback pony was a record breaking $50,500! Ultimately, this money goes back to the care of the ponies; including veterinary care and hay for cold winter months.
GETTING THERE
The big day is finally here! It is the Wednesday of the Pony Swim. Be prepared for an early start, with some people starting to head to the viewing areas as early as 5am some years, depending on the swim window set by the CVFC.
The Town of Chincoteague offers free shuttle bus service beginning approximately 2 hours prior to the swim time window to those staying on the island and day trippers. These shuttles drop-off at Veteran’s Memorial Park, where most spectators choose to camp out and wait for the swim. Attendees at Veteran’s Memorial Park will be able to view the swim at a distance and watch live coverage on a large Jumbotron screen, courtesy of the Town of Chincoteague.
Those with a sense of adventure can walk from the shuttle drop-off to Pony Swim Lane (approx. ½ a mile) then trek through the marsh for about 400 feet to wait for the swim. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, boots or old shoes that stay secured on your feet are highly recommended! There is no telling how many flip-flops will stay forever buried in the marsh mud there. For your efforts you will be offered a close-up view of the ponies when they arrive on Chincoteague, eager to happily graze on tall salt marsh grass.
Private companies offer boat rides and guided kayak tours for another up-close viewing option. These sell out months in advance, so plan early if you want to take part. Call the Chamber of Commerce for a list of companies that offer these services.
No matter how you choose to watch, come prepared for hours in the summer sun with something to drink, bug spray, and sunscreen, but only bring what can fit on your person, as thousands need to be transported on the buses in a very short time. For everyone’s safety, no coolers, umbrellas, glass containers, or bags (except clear plastic) are allowed. Security screenings will be conducted.
THE BIG EVENT
It’s finally time! The Saltwater Cowboys are saddled up, Veteran’s Memorial Park and Pony Swim Lane are filled with eager onlookers, charter boats and kayaks line the water, and the Chincoteague Ponies sense something special is in the air.
The ponies will be led from the Southern Corral, down Beach Road, and through the marsh to the waterfront where they will then rest. The excitement starts to build as viewers can finally see the ponies!
The US Coast Guard will monitor the tide and when it becomes slack (the short period of time when the tide doesn’t move in or out) they will set off an orange flare as a signal to the Saltwater Cowboys to coax the ponies to Horse Marsh Point and guide them into the water. This is greeted by loud cheers by the crowd, as they know Pony Swim is here. The ponies rush into the water and begin their brief journey across the water and onto shore.
The first foal ashore, not already denoted at a buyback, is named King/Queen Neptune. Raffle tickets for Neptune go on sale the week before at the Carnival Information Stand with limited tickets sold. The winner will be drawn on the day of the swim at the Carnival band stand at 7:30pm. You must be present to win.
After the swim, the ponies will rest at Pony Swim Lane for approx. 45-minutes before they begin their leisurely walk to the Carnival Grounds. It’s finally time! The Saltwater Cowboys are saddled up, Veteran’s Memorial Park and Pony Swim Lane are filled with eager onlookers, charter boats and kayaks line the water, and the Chincoteague Ponies sense something special is in the air.
The ponies will be led from the Southern Corral, down Beach Road, and through the marsh to the waterfront where they will then rest. The excitement starts to build as viewers can finally see the ponies!
The US Coast Guard will monitor the tide and when it becomes slack (the short period of time when the tide doesn’t move in or out) they will set off an orange flare as a signal to the Saltwater Cowboys to coax the ponies to Horse Marsh Point and guide them into the water. This is greeted by loud cheers by the crowd, as they know Pony Swim is here. The ponies rush into the water and begin their brief journey across the water and onto shore.
The first foal ashore, not already denoted at a buyback, is named King/Queen Neptune. Raffle tickets for Neptune go on sale the week before at the Carnival Information Stand with limited tickets sold. The winner will be drawn on the day of the swim at the Carnival band stand at 7:30pm. You must be present to win.
After the swim, the ponies will rest at Pony Swim Lane for approx. 45-minutes before they begin their leisurely walk to the Carnival Grounds.
Visit ChincoteagueChamber.com for full details and to download our Pony Swim guide which includes the schedule of events and shuttle bus/pony parade map; or stop in the Chamber office, 6733 Maddox Boulevard, to pick up a hard copy.
While the Chincoteague Ponies rest at Pony Swim Lane, attendees are on the move! Some will load back on the shuttle buses to head back to their accommodation/vehicle or to the Carnival Grounds. If you decide to take the shuttle at this time, please be patient. We have to move a lot of people! Others will walk to the Carnival Grounds (approx. 1 mile from Veteran’s Memorial Park and 1.5 miles from Pony Swim Lane) to await the ponies’ arrival or to find their favorite spot on the Pony Parade route.
Once rested, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and Saltwater Cowboys will lead the ponies through the streets of Chincoteague Island to the Carnival ground corral. Pony Swim Lane, Ridge Road, Beebe Road, and Main Street are lined with those eager to get a close-up view of the ponies and some charter boat cruises will follow the parade up Main Street to watch at a distance.
The ponies are lead at a leisurely pace with the parade taking about an hour to complete. You never know when a pony will get excited and break from the herd to wander through a yard or two before being brought back to the group. People cheer, photos are taken, Saltwater Cowboys names are shouted out above the crowd, and when the parade nears the Carnival Grounds, the crowds get bigger, and the cheers get louder.
The Saltwater Cowboys part after entering the corral gate and the ponies rush in. Stallions immediately begin to collect their bands and maybe even try to steal a mare from another stallion. The ponies will eventually settle down once they realize there is grass to eat, water to drink, and shade to enjoy. Foals have had a busy day and will soon settle down to nap.
The ponies will remain in the corral until after the Pony Auction on Thursday, so there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy their presence, take photos of your favorite ones, and dream about which foal you may take home tomorrow.
The Carnival Grounds will be buzzing with excitement early on Thursday morning, as the Pony Auction will soon begin. Attendees find the perfect spot to set their chairs and to take a final look at the foal they want to bid on. It will be another hot day, so bring beverages to stay hydrated.
Some have dreamed of owning a Chincoteague Pony since the first time they read Misty of Chincoteague. Be it a young child who has diligently saved their allowance and birthday money or someone who has waited decades for this opportunity, each person is experiencing a roller coaster of emotions from nerves to excitement. Will their dreams of owning a Chincoteague Pony finally come true?
The auction typically begins at 8am but bidders/viewers will be allowed in at about 2 hours early on a first come first serve basis. You will have an opportunity to look, but no placeholding or putting down chairs until the auction starts. Be prepared for some security measures to keep everyone safe. Parking is available at the Carnival Grounds, but walking, biking or taking the trolley is recommended.
As the first foal is brought out, the crowd enthusiastically cheers but quickly becomes attentive to the auctioneer’s fast-paced chant. The auction is underway! There is no registration for the in-person auction; just raise your hand! Online bidding will take place simultaneously for those unable to attend and pre-registration is required. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will provide the official auction link a few days prior.
The auction normally lasts about 4 hours but will depend on the number of ponies being auctioned. Each foal brings new excitement and anticipation to whether it will be a record-breaking pony. The buybacks bring thrill and delight all their own, as attendees know they have been specially chosen to preserve the legacy of the herd. Will the current buyback record be broken? Only time will tell.
As the Pony Auction comes to a close, dreams have come true for many and for others, those dreams will have to wait another year. Weaned foals will soon go to their new homes and the rest will remain with their mares until fall roundup.
Visit ChincoteagueChamber.com/trolley-schedule to learn more about trolley stops and ChincoteagueChamber.com/auction-day for full auction details, helpful hints, and to view over 20 years of auction statistics.
As Friday dawns, the Carnival Grounds are quieter as many foals have already headed to their new homes and others will be leaving shortly. The Northern Herd ponies have been trailered back to their grazing grounds on Assateague Island, VA and only the Southern Herd ponies remain.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company usually announces at Thursday’s auction what time these ponies will leave the Carnival Grounds to make their voyage back home, typically two hours later than the Wednesday swim. The Saltwater Cowboys will once again lead the ponies through the streets of Chincoteague Island – Main Street to Beebe Road, Ridge Road, and finally Pony Swim Lane.
The event draws a smaller crowd, but the Saltwater Cowboys and ponies will still be greeted by eager onlookers along the parade route, in the marsh at Pony Swim Lane, and in the water on charter boats and kayak tours. You can also watch from Veteran’s Memorial Park. The Town of Chincoteague will offer free trolley service from 8am – 1pm with stops along the route.
Unlike the Pony Swim, the ponies will not rest at Pony Swim Lane when they arrive but will continue right into the water and swim across the Assateague Channel back to Assateague Island and their southern grazing grounds.
The Chincoteague Ponies are back home and will remain on Assateague Island until next year’s Pony Swim. The Southern Herd grazing area is easily accessible from Beach Road with a pull off area convenient to park your bike or vehicle to take pictures and from the observation platform on the Woodland Trail. The Northern Herd grazes farther north than public access allows, so booking a boat cruise or kayak tour with one of our skilled and knowledgeable captains and guides is a wonderful way to enjoy the ponies in their natural element, learn a bit about our history and nature, and to search for your favorite pony.
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce is the official tourism office of the Town of Chincoteague and a Destination Marketing Organization with Virginia Tourism Corporation.
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