UPDATED: 101st Annual Chincoteague Pony Penning Week Ends Friday with Swim Back to Assateague
TOD Archive photo by Alan Lehman
UPDATED – 07/31/26 – The ponies returned to Assateague Island early this morning.
Thursday was the pony auction for the foals at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds. Chamber of Commerce officials say 80 ponies – including 7 buybacks were sold for a total of $635,600 with prices for the foals ranged from $3000 to $60,000. The highest bid was $60,000 for a buyback and $10,500 for a take-home.
The annual Pony Auction raises funds for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company and veterinary care of the ponies and serves to control the pony population on Assateague Island.
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ORIGINAL STORY – 07/28/26 – People from around the world are converging on Chincoteague Wednesday morning for the historic 101st annual Chincoteague pony swim across the Assateague Channel. The two pony herds were merged on Monday and will swim across the channel between 8 and 10:30am – coming ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. Over 50,00 people will be living out a bucket list item! Be sure to wear old clothes and lots of bug spray. Once the ponies take a rest they will be paraded by the Saltwater Cowboys to the Carnival Grounds.
Thursday morning is the auction of the foals – beginning at 8am. The auction helps to control the overall size of the herd and is also a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which uses some of the funds to provide vet care for the ponies throughout the year.