As brief as it is riveting, a procession of chestnut stallions, speckled mares, and silvery foals awes spectators gathered to witness the majestic Chincoteague ponies traverse the Assateague Channel’s calm, sun-dappled waters. The annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and accompanying weeklong fanfare are points of pride for the tight-knit community of Chincoteague, Virginia.
“Chincoteague Island is the commercial, residential island, and Assateague Island is the natural area where the wild ponies live,” explains Evelyn Shotwell, executive director of the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce. “It’s not a beach with boardwalks and amusement rides. You can come for the beach, but you also have the quaint little shops that have been family owned for 30 years. All of that is part of our charm.”
