Current:Home > reviewsThousands watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 99th annual swim in Virginia -MacroWatch
Thousands watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 99th annual swim in Virginia
View
Date:2025-04-12 23:15:36
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) — Thousands of people gathered in Virginia to watch the Chincoteague wild ponies make their annual swim across the Assateague Channel, the 99th year of the popular tradition.
The ponies made the short swim across the channel Wednesday as the crowd erupted in cheers. Foal No. 6 was crowned “Queen Neptune,” the title given each year to the first to complete the swim, according to WAVY-TV.
The horses were made famous in the 1947 classic children’s novel “Misty of Chincoteague” by author Marguerite Henry.
“Saltwater Cowboys” on horseback round up the ponies, who then swim the channel and come ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. The event hosted by the Chincoteague Fire Department includes an auction of some of the foals are sold to help control the size of the herd and help maintain a healthy pony population on Assateague, where the ponies live most of the year. The auction is also the biggest annual fundraiser for the fire department, which manages the wild pony herd.
The tradition began in 1925 as a way to raise money for Chincoteague’s volunteer fire company. Interest in the pony swim grew and visitors began coming from across the country for the annual event. “Misty of Chincoteague” made the event famous around the world.
veryGood! (64395)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods Prove Their Friendship is Strong 5 Years After Feud
- Talks between Boeing and its biggest union are coming down to the wire - and a possible strike
- Florida high school football player dies after collapsing during game
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Get Color Wow Dream Coat Spray for $6: You Have 24 Hours To Get This Price, Plus 50% Off Ulta Deals
- A hurricane-damaged Louisiana skyscraper is set to be demolished Saturday
- Don't Miss J.Crew Outlet's End-of-Summer Sale: Score an Extra 50% Off Clearance & Up to 60% Off Sitewide
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Mega Millions skyrockets to $800 million. See the winning numbers for September 6 drawing
Ranking
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Charles Barkley keeps $1 million promise to New Orleans school after 2 students' feat
- Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods Prove Their Friendship is Strong 5 Years After Feud
- Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Fashion Evolution Makes Us Wanna Hiss
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Dream Kardashian, 7, Makes Runway Modeling Debut at New York Fashion Week
- ‘The Bear’ and ‘Shogun’ could start claiming trophies early at Creative Arts Emmy Awards
- As US colleges raise the stakes for protests, activists are weighing new strategies
Recommendation
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka try to win the US Open for the first time
Neighbor's shifting alibis lead to arrest in Mass. woman's disappearance, police say
Grief, pain, hope and faith at church services following latest deadly school shooting
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
How many teams make the NFL playoffs? Postseason format for 2024 season
10 unwritten rules of youth sports: Parents can prevent fights with this 24-hour rule
Slain Dallas police officer remembered as ‘hero’ during funeral service