Author’s note: AQHA Judge Lori Gordon checked one item off of her bucket list on July 27th. Gordon attended the 91st Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim which is held along the border of Maryland and Virginia. The wild ponies became famous in the late 1940s when Marguerite Henry wrote the book, Misty of Chincoteague. Legend has it that these ponies are from Spanish descent and they were on a ship coming from the mines of Peru and it shipwrecked and landed them there where they stayed and flourished. Every July, riders known as the “Salt Water Cowboys” herd the wild ponies from the southern side of Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The horses are auctioned off every year in large part as a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which cares for the ponies. Gordon was kind enough to share her experience and pictures below with us.
I read every horse book I could get my hands on as a child, The Black Stallion Series, Justin Morgan Had a Horse, Casey Jones Rides Vanity, but was totally engrossed in the book, Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry. There is something magical about a little girl’s love of a horse and with the setting being this beautiful island with gorgeous seas, beaches, green grass, and marshlands, how could it not seem utterly mystical? I also read Stormy Misty’s Foal, and loved that the story continued with more books about the ponies.
Over the years I kept my books and treasured the story and vowed someday I would make the trip to Chincoteague Island for Pony Penning Day. But as time goes on later becomes sooner and now each year I try to fulfill one item on my bucket list. This year it was the pony swim. I had some other business to do nearby so I thought why not? I can really make this work this year.
I arrived Monday night and Tuesday morning began exploring the islands. The ponies had been herded down to pens on Assateague before I arrived so my first stop was to visit the corralled ponies where they get vetted before their swim across the channel the next day.
There were beautiful foals, pregnant mares and of course a gorgeous chestnut stud with a long flaxen mane and tail. All descendants of “Misty”. People around me were choosing the horses they wished to bid on and some even kept up with individual horses and recognized them from a prior penning. Not all the ponies are sold, and those that are not sold are returned back to the herd for another year.
Touring the islands and the town, I was in awe of one little girl, Marguerite Henry, and the story about the love for her pony and growing up in this town made such a worldwide impact on this town and their wonderful traditional yearly event.
On Wednesday, the pony’s swim guesstimate was 9:00 to 11:00 am depending on when the tide receded enough for the ponies to make the swim. The fire department sets off a flair when the tide is cooperative to signal it is safe for the ponies to cross. There are numerous herd helpers, policeman, The Chincoteague Fire Department and Rescue, helicopters, boats, the news media, and nearly 40,000 people. They waded through the marshy mud up to their knees and waited for four hours before the tide allowed the ponies to swim from Assateague to Chincoteague Island.
Then, the ponies are rechecked and rested on the beach for an hour before being driven through the marsh into town and down the street to the fairgrounds. On Thursday, they were auctioned off by Tim Jennings, auctioneer for the Chincoteague Fire Dept and AQHA exhibitor and former judge. On Friday, the ponies that were not sold will be herded back to Assateague for another year to bask in the sun and enjoy the lush marsh grasses.
You can tell it is a magical time for the entire town and certainly for all those who come to see and visit. In a time that is fast paced, technical, and high pressured, this heartwarming way of life and annual event just might make lots of children and their “Misty’s” live happily ever after.
View pictures courtesy of Lori Gordon, Catherine Jennings, and the Chincoteague web page below in our slideshow. Also view the video below of the event courtesy of the Chincoteague Facebook Page
