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)
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 was the second year since the return of the event after its two-year pause during the coronavirus pandemic.
Once at Chincoteague, the ponies received veterinary care to get ready for auction. This year, 72 ponies sold for total sales of $489,000, according to the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. 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.
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)
The Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies at 10:15 a.m. 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. The swim takes three minutes to complete. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies at 10:15 a.m. 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. The swim takes three minutes to complete. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Chincoteague ponies rest 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)
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)
Kim Fromal, the “Marsh Queen,” poses for a portrait on 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. Fromal, of Richmond, Virginia, is always the first one to the marsh on the morning of the Pony Swim. This year, she arrived at 4 a.m. to secure a good spot to watch the swim. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies at 10:15 a.m. 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. The swim takes three minutes to complete. (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)
Tallula Loeb, 9, left, and brother Felix Loeb, 7, of Ojai, California, eat cereal at 6 a.m. after crossing the marsh to secure a spot to watch 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. The Loeb family flew from California to watch the famous Chincoteague Pony Swim. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
Spectators watch as the Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies at 10:15 a.m. 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. The swim takes three minutes to complete. (Tess Crowley /The Virginian-Pilot)
The Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies at 10:15 a.m. 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. The swim takes three minutes to complete. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
After trekking through the marsh, spectators line up to watch 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)
The Saltwater Cowboys swim ponies at 10:15 a.m. 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. The swim takes three minutes to complete. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)
A Chincoteague pony eats marsh grass after completing the three-minute swim 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)
The Saltwater Cowboys lead the ponies out of the marsh after completing their three-minute swim 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)
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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)
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 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.
Oz Ozmar, a cook at Flamingos, a food truck on the island, said the tourism builds up during the summer and “goes through the roof” for the Pony Swim.
Ozmar also helps run Obsession Studios, a gallery and art supply store in Village Mall owned by his girlfriend. During the past few days, he said people were waiting outside the studio before it opened. Like many businesses catering to the Pony Swim tourists, he creates horse statues to sell, despite not being a big fan of event himself.
“Traffic in the mall has multiplied in the past week by a factor of 10,” he said. “There’s just so many people coming in, wandering through, looking around all hours.”
But when the Pony Swim is over, Ozmar said sales for many businesses around town “absolutely dies.”
“On a busy weekend, this is a touristy beach town, and in the middle of the off-season, it’s rural Virginia, like, countryside Virginia,” he said.
Cathy Heimer, owner of the Island Artisans boutique, changes her store hours for the weeks leading up to the swim to be open seven days a week. Heimer will start operating five days a week around Labor Day, then four until she’s only open three days a week by Thanksgiving.
“I make a lot of my money during the summer,” Heimer said.
Kally Rasinski grew up in the Chincoteague area and works at Sunsations, a beach apparel store with bike and scooter rentals. Residents on the island benefit from the increased tourism, particularly as new attractions are built or buildings get upgrades, she said.
“With the tourism, the island is continuously growing,” Rasinski said, noting the ropes course that just opened next door.
‘Like a homecoming’
Hotels on the island are often booked throughout the last week of July. The Comfort Suites Chincoteague and Key West Cottages were both at 100% capacity for the week, said Nicole Miller, the director of sales and service.
“It’s kind of like a homecoming, so people that have ever lived on Chincoteague in their life always come back for the Pony Swim,” she said.
On Wednesday, 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., five hours before the start of the swim, 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. 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.
