100th Annual Chincoteague Pony Roundup, Swim, and Auction

The annual Chincoteague Pony Roundup, Swim, and Auction will take place for the 100th year in 2025 to the delight of thousands of spectators that watch as the wild Chincoteague Ponies are roundup from their grazing grounds on Assateague Island, Virginia and swam to neighboring Chincoteague Island. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Pony Roundup, Swim & Auction aka Pony Penning always takes place on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in the month of July. The world famous Chincoteague Ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island on Wednesday at the first “slack tide”. The first foal ashore is named King or Queen Neptune and is given away in a raffle later that day at the Carnival Grounds. The Carnival opens immediately after the swim.  Proceeds from this event fund the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.  Monies are used for maintenance and purchase of equipment and care of the pony herd.  A free shuttle runs the day of the swim to transport the 40,000 attendees to the swim site since parking is very limited to handicap only at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Event Details:

July 26 - South Herd Roundup is the first major event before the exciting Pony Swim! The “Saltwater Cowboys” will ride out to the southern end of Assateague Island at about 4:30pm to herd the more than 50 ponies (adults and foals) inhabiting this part of the island into the Southern Corral. The public may come view the arrival of the ponies at the Southern Corral on Beach Road. The ponies will be here Saturday through Tuesday for photos and viewing.

July 27 - North Herd Roundup takes place on the northern end of Assateague Island VA which is home to the largest population of ponies and their foals, about 100 to 150 total. The “Saltwater Cowboys” herd this group into the Northern Corral. PLEASE NOTE, this is not a public event as this part of the island is not accessible. - 

July 28 - Beach Walk - North meets south when the “Saltwater Cowboys” release the Northern herd ponies and walk them along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean to join the ponies at the Southern Corral. Ponies leave North Corral at daybreak. It is advised to be at Assateague Island National Seashore by 6am for parking purposes. Assateague Island opens at 5am. Bring your beach gear and stay for the day or walk behind the ponies to the corral and visit awhile. Bikers and hikers may access the beach via Swan Cove Trail.

July 30 – Pony Swim normally held at the earliest morning slack tide which is usually between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. An approximate window of time will be announced a few days prior. The Pony Swim can be viewed from Veteran’s Memorial Park (7427 Memorial Park Drive) located off East Side Road, Pony Swim Lane located off Ridge Road, by kayak, or charter boat cruise. 

July 31 -  Auction of foals begins at 8 a.m. and usually ends by noon at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds located at 3648 Main Street. The number of foals sold each year is determined by the Fire Company and the ponies are checked and cleared by veterinarians before being released to their new owners.  

August 1 - Return Swim to be held at the earliest morning slack tide  as the South Herd adult ponies swim back to Assateague Island to live another year in the wild. An approximate time will be announced that week.