Tens of thousands of spectators showed up this morning as the Saltwater Cowboys herded their ponies across the Assateague Channel for the 87th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim.
The 10-minute swim across the 200-yeard Assateague channel dates from the early 1920's.
It was made famous by Marguerite Henry's 1947 novel "Misty of Chincoteague".
Tomorrow, the ponies will be auctioned off to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which cares for the Virginia herd.
Ponies that are not sold and those donated back to the fire department will roam free for another year on the national wildlife refuge on Assateague.
