CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. — Grab your binoculars and beach blankets! The 99th annual Chincoteague Pony Swim is here, featuring the cutest swim team you’ll ever see.
Watch as these charming ponies hoof it across the water on Wednesday, delighting thousands of fans from all corners of the globe.
Every year, thousands of spectators flock to Virginia's Eastern Shore to witness the famed wild ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague during slack tide, when there is no movement either way in the tidal stream. This should happen between noon and 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
The young ones in the herd will then be auctioned off on Thursday. Officials say the purpose of the auction is to control the overall size of the herd, keeping it from growing too large. It is also a fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, who take care of the wild ponies year-round.
In addition, each year, fire company officials pick some ponies as "buy backs." This is a foal that is chosen by the company to return to Assateague Island to live out its life there. The winner of a "buy back pony" will get to name the pony before it is returned to Assateague. These are some of the highest priced ponies sold at the auction.
Some environmental groups like PETA say the swim and auction is harmful for the ponies. They believe the wild animals should be left alone.
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