Photo courtesy Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company

74th Annual Pony Swim and Auction

Held yearly at the end of July, this event is attended by horse-lovers and buyers from around the world. The wild ponies of Assateague Island are said to be the descendants of Mustangs who swam to shore after the 16th-century shipwreck of a Spanish galleon. They are driven across a narrow channel before thousands of onlookers on the Chincoteague shore. The next day the foals are sold at auction. The Chincoteague volunteer firemen, who own the herd, conduct the event and use the auction proceeds for the care and feeding of the remaining ponies. Approximately 80 ponies, each around four months old, are sold each year, at an average price of $1,700. Seven stunning photographs, a videotape, and 13 pages of text document the event.

Originally submitted by: Charles S. Robb, Senator.

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