The 2026 Chincoteague Pony Swim
CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. – The 101st annual Chincoteague Pony Swim took place early on Wednesday morning. The objective is for hundreds of ponies to travel across the Assateague Channel to make it home to Chincoteague Island.
Vistors from across the country made it clear that is a tradition like no other. “It’s really fun, you can see all the ponies, and they are wild. And that’s the nature of the ponies’ lives,” said Alicia.
It is estimated that roughly 150 to 200 ponies made the trek to Pony Swim Lane. The show attracted a huge crowd of onlookers, including a Millsboro woman name Ari. “I was the type of kid who would run around barefoot in mud, so I am not complaining too much.”
The mud was thick, slick, and treacherous. Yleen Visser visited from Spain and was excited about what the trip represented. “My daughter said mom, “I’m coming with you, well she ended up not being able to go, and I said Mom goes by herself.”
Money is raised for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company through the historic crossing. The island’s hospitality received rave reviews from many visitors, such as Kirsten Klinkenberg. Coming from Ohio, she expressed uncertainty about the experience.
“It means the world because everybody is so friendly. We got to see the saltwater cowboys get blessed, and all the cowboys, they were so nice.”
Yleen tells WMDT she wishes her trip would last forever.
“I wish I could come to the auction tomorrow and pick one up”
Thursday morning selected foals will be auctioned off to control herd size.
