UPDATE: The Chincoteague Fire Department posted after the swim that number six, a baby girl, was the big winner this year and was crowned Queen Neptune, not as first released number nine. The story has been updated.
Pony Swim crowns a new Queen Neptune!
In the tradition of the 98 years that came before, the ponies’ aquatic quest was signaled with true flair, and yes, that red flare.
The big swim was an opportunity for the massive and eager crowd to get a look at the more than 200 ponies who made the plunge. Of that total, 89 foals were to be auctioned off Thursday.
While many are donated back, some might make their way to greener pastures on ranches unknown.
Just like the near century before, the crescendo of cheers and horse whinnies rose to the air as they splashed onto the marsh.
With an estimated 40,000 visitors at this year’s celebration, the number six female horse took the crown as Queen Neptune.
Horns, flare signal Pony Swim about to start
The horns were sounded and the flare was shot off at about 12:35 p.m. to signal the official start of the big Pony Swim. Here we go!
In what continued as a moderate and overcast day, the famed Saltwater Cowboys went about the task of getting the horses ready to take to the water.
The swim was still slated to begin at some time between noon and 1 p.m., with high tide conditions persisting because of the rainy conditions.
“It’s an American spectacle and no other place has anything like this. That’s what people keep coming back to the event. People just love these horses,” said Tom Dickinson, a 25-year visitor to the annual pony penning event.
Boats continued to gather along waterway as the crowd was entertained with music.
The stream of spectators grew from a trickle to a steady flow with chairs, umbrellas, and cameras in hand.
For Tammie Turner, of Texas, it was the first time seeing the horses in person.
“It’s like living a childhood dream of seeing ponies,” Turner said.
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The rows of folding chairs lining Main Street of the town of Chincoteague, and the meandering tracks of mud boots in the marsh of the Virginia coast tell the story of another pony penning.
Even with only the calm waterways to enjoy, spectators already line the picket fence, waiting to get a glimpse of the famed band of aquatic courses.
“This is my first year, even though my mom has been here before. I just hope to get a good photo of them coming out of the water. I just love the horses,” said Maddie Harris of Connecticut as she trudged through knee-high water to a prime viewing spot.
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A wet day to turn sunny for the beloved tradition
The annual pony penning celebration on Wednesday at Chincoteague's Wildlife Refuge will draw a huge crowd of pony lovers to brave the wet and muddy conditions.
The day is expected to start as a wet one and then turn sunny, with throngs lined up to watch the band of wild horses enjoy the life aquatic with their annual swim. For many, this is a family tradition, and for others, it is quirky part of living on the Delmarva Peninsula.
What is sure is that many will get a chance to see the horses up close, but at a safe distance either during their swim or in their subsequent parade through the town.
Follow along live here today, for the color on the ground right up to the big exciting swim.
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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: New Queen Neptune crowned at Chincoteague Pony Swim 2024
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