Amanda Savage refers to the week of Chincoteague’s Pony Swim as “Chincoteague Christmas.”
Savage works at Michael’s Jewelry inside Village Mall, and compares the thousands of spectators coming to the island during the last week of July to New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Times Square. Many workplaces close for the day to allow people to participate in the festivities.
“A lot of the locals consider it like our own personal holiday,” she said.
About 200 ponies swam across the Assateague Channel on Wednesday, continuing the 98-year island tradition. It’s the second year since the return of the event after its two-year pause during the coronavirus pandemic.
Spectators watch as the Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
A spectator plays in the marsh before the Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
A foal plays in the marsh after swimming during slack tide from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on July 26, 2023, in the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. (Tess Crowley/ The Virginian-Pilot)
Ponies are rounded up by the Saltwater Cowboys at the Northern Corral, on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Ponies are rounded up by the Saltwater Cowboys at the Northern Corral, on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Saltwater Cowboy Lester Wolf, right, talks from inside a truck with Robbie Downs, center, and Jack Brittingham, left, after rounding up the ponies in the Northern Herd on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Ponies are rounded up by the Saltwater Cowboys at the Northern Corral, on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys guide the Northern Herd Chincoteague ponies for five miles from the Northern Corral to the Southern Corral along the Atlantic Ocean on Assateague Beach to join the two herds at daybreak on Monday, July 24, 2023. All of the Saltwater Cowboys participate in the walk, which includes approximately 50 firefighters. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys guide the Northern Herd Chincoteague ponies for five miles from the Northern Corral to the Southern Corral along the Atlantic Ocean on Assateague Beach to join the two herds at daybreak on Monday, July 24, 2023. All of the Saltwater Cowboys participate in the walk, which includes approximately 50 firefighters. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
90-year-old Jack Brittingham, the oldest Saltwater Cowboy in the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, rides his horse after rounding up ponies during the North Herd Roundup on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys round up ponies at the Northern Corral, on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Saltwater Cowboy Tom Lord sits in the bed of a truck after rounding up ponies during the North Herd Roundup on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Ponies are rounded up by the Saltwater Cowboys at the Northern Corral, on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. The Northern Herd is the largest herd, with approximately 100 ponies on the north end of Assateague Island. The roundup lasted 4 hours, from 6 a.m. — 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys guide the Northern Herd Chincoteague ponies for five miles from the Northern Corral to the Southern Corral along the Atlantic Ocean on Assateague Beach to join the two herds at daybreak on Monday, July 24, 2023. All of the Saltwater Cowboys participate in the walk, which includes approximately 50 firefighters. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
A saltwater cowboy prepares to dismount from his horse at the Southern Corral after guiding the Northern Herd Chincoteague ponies for five miles from the Northern Corral to the Southern Corral along the Atlantic Ocean on Assateague Beach to join the two herds at daybreak on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
From left to right: Members of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Olivia Wheatley, 18, Bailey Edwards, 16, Sundene Lodge, 19, Jordan Penland, 16, and Lacy Barlow, 18, pose for a portrait at Robert Reed Park in downtown Chincoteague, Virginia prior to a mini show on Monday, July 24, 2023. Many of the drill team ponies are descendants of Misty and veterans of the Pony Swim. Teammate Sophia Gallivan, 17, is responsible for lobbying for the Chincoteague Pony to be recognized as Virginia’s official state pony, and as of July 1, 2023, the state law took effect. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
90-year-old Jack Brittingham, the oldest Saltwater Cowboy in the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, poses for a portrait after rounding up ponies during the North Herd Roundup on the north end of Assateague Island, Virginia on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in preparation for the 98th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. Brittingham has been a Saltwater Cowboy for 43 years, but has been riding horses all his life. He owns three Chincoteague ponies. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Once at Chincoteague, the ponies receive veterinary care and dozens are sold at auction in an effort to control herd population. Funds go toward the animals’ care and local fire departments.
The Pony Swim gained popularity after the publication of Marguerite Henry’s award-winning children’s book, “Misty of Chincoteague,” in 1947. The film “Misty,” based on the book, was released in 1961.
Now, the ponies have statewide recognition after legislation naming the Chincoteague pony as Virginia’s official state pony was signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and took effect July 1.
Thousands of tourists from around the world flocked to the island town to watch the annual event.
“A lot of them are here in town for the whole week, so you know, eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, shopping in our shops,” said Evelyn Shotwell, the executive director for the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. “So it’s certainly a huge economic impact. You know, some of the small businesses will tell you that they will have a better week this Pony Penning week than they will the whole first quarter of the year.”
Shotwell said the island also hosted an array of activities throughout the week, including a carnival hosted by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, performances by the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team and free showings of “Misty” at the Island Theatre.
Many pony enthusiasts arrived to the swim before sunrise, armed with lawn chairs, shower curtains and towels to sit on. Spectators were covered with mud up to their knees from wading through the marsh to get to their spots.
Sarah Case was at the marsh at 5 a.m. with her 10-year-old daughter, Gwendolyn. The two “Misty” fans drove up from St. Louis, Missouri, in hopes of buying a horse of their own.
The flare announcing the start of the swim shot up five hours later at 10 a.m. To pass the time, Gwendolyn looked at pictures of the horses on her phone and thought about what she’d name it.
The trip to Chincoteague, which included stops to Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, is personal for Sarah Case.
“It’s been on my bucket list since I was younger than her,” she said.
This year was Diane McKinley’s fourth time seeing the Pony Swim. She comes to Chincoteague from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, often, and even convinced her camera club to come this year. Together, the group stayed at an Airbnb and shopped and ate at local businesses around the island throughout the week.
McKinley plans on coming back for more Pony Swims in the future.
“I think everybody ought to experience it at least once,” she said.
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