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Ponies Cross the Channel to Chincoteague

Tom Hunt

Over 100 ponies took the plunge yesterday and swam from Assateague Island to Chincoteague.

Thousands of visitors watched the Saltwater Cowboys herd the ponies for the 89th annual Pony Penning.

The crossing took place around 11:50 a.m. during slack tide under sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.

Afterward they were paraded through the streets of Chincoteague to the carnival ground where they were  auctioned off this morning.

Last year 55 foals were sold bringing $114-thousand with 11 ponies bought back and returned to Assateague.

The proceeds of the auction go to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company who owns and takes care of the herd.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.