The Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction is always the last week in July.It is sponsored by the caretakers of these wild and free spirited ponies, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. Wednesday July 28, 2021 will mark the 96th year of Chincoteague's annual Pony Swim.
The views were barely visible, when out of the mist they walked into view, these beautiful ponies. Rounded up and paraded down the beach.
We grow wild, running in the sun. Cast your shadow and keep company with the shine of the day. There were hundreds of us, making our way down the beach, finding our piece of it, where we can sit and watch as the ponies parade by. Oh, it is not such a grand event, but, it is a tradition of sorts and I have been going and supporting the cause for ten years now. Incidentally, my Henry ( my Chincoteague Pony) was born here on this island, and I bought him at auction, so perhaps that is why it is near and dear to me. Or perhaps, it is just that kind of thing that makes my heart sing. Man and nature working together for a better outcome. I'd like to think that is the one.
This is our Henry at home. He was kind of a surprise buy at the auction. He was a pony, but, he grew to horse size, so I ask you, does it really matter if he is a horse or a pony? The auction is normally held inside the fairgrounds. It was a hard adjustment last year with Covid to swap over to the online auction, as the Fire Department uses these funds from the annual Pony Swim and Auction to assit in the care of the wild ponies throughout the year, but, especially in the winter. They don't eat grain but, they graze on the salt grass that is found in the marshes. Easy keepers. Whenever I am out there, I grab a couple of handfuls of it for him. Below is a shot of the ponies right after they beached,in the salt marshes. This is the salt grass that I bring home to Henry, sort of a sweet memory for him.
Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.
Tradition has it that this is Pony Week on Chincoteague Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. This year's swim would have marked the 96th year, but, organizers of the event made a very painful decision to cancel due to Covid-19 - for the second year in a row. My family loves this event, the traditions involved and the love this island has for its four legged inhabitants.
The auction will still be held, but the event will be entirely online, but still hosted by the regular Chincoteague Pony auctioneer, Tim. We love Tim and his wife, who helps him out. Happy to see they kept their Chincoteague family together.
Online Auction Rules
The bidding opens today, July 22nd at 7:00pm and ends on July 29th at 7:00pm. To keep as much continuity as possible, they tried to keep the same timeline with the date of the live auction being the final hurrah! Prospective buyers should go to the auction website, where you can create an account. Don't forget to request a bidder’s number, so that you can bid. Please visit the website at https://sporthorseauctions.com/ for more information. Good luck to all you bidders!! Below are the ponies for sale and a few pictures on them. Scroll down a few pictures to view the foals See here.
The auction is being held by sporthorseauctions.com. and you MUST register with them!! Once you register with them you will also be able to see the rules and regulations of the auction. The photos of the foals are already on the website and there WILL BE A CLEAR DESGINATION of buybacks on the listings. Payment due date is Friday, July 30th NO EXCEPTIONS. Final Foal Pick up date is August 1st. NO EXCEPTIONS. ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ONLINE AUCTION WILL BE ON sporthorseauctions.com.
The Saltwater Cowboys will round up the northern herd on Sunday, July 25th, close to daybreak. They allow them to rest for a short while, then the mares and foals will be seperated and brought to the carnival fairgrounds. This is where the auction usually takes place and the foals stay here until their pick up day. The remaining herd will be released back into the wild.
The southern herd will be rounded up on Monday, July 26th, with much the same process.
Many people have asked if they can go watch the round up. Restrictions are lifted as of July 1, so, I am going to guess that you won't be chased off. If you haven't been vaccinated, you know the drill. Wear a mask when in a crowd and maintain social distancing. If anything changes, it will be posted with the Chamber of Commerce, Chincoteague and Now, big question... can the public view the round ups? We haven't been told that you can't and now that most restrictions have been lifted we assume its ok for you all to come watch. If you haven't been vaccinated we respectfully ask that you maintain social distancing and wear a mask if in the crowd. If anything were to change with any of this information it will be posted ASAP.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) is already working on next year's carnival and pony penning. You know I will have to be there! carnival and Swim will remain cancelled for 2021. The CVFC is already working on details for next year and it's going to be one heck of a 2022 carnival and pony penning event! We hope you will come and join us!!
Here, let me get that tag for you. When they are rounding up the ponies, a tag is put on them to identidying purposes. They must have felt funny, a few of the ponies were having a go at it.
Rules of the Road
Go to the market, or anywhere that you pay money for a service.
Take pictures! Be creative (or not, we don't judge!)
Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
Post the picture(s)
Use the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308 (optional)
You must put #MarketFriday by @dswigle somewhere on your post
Drop the link on the MarketFriday post so I can find it
Have fun!
Please leave the link to your post here so it can easily be found by others. It helps you and me to have them in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much for joining us!! ❤
This shop is at the corner of Pony Swim Lane in Chincoteague. This is the road that leads to the unmarked beach that the ponies swim to, more directed to, in my opinion. The owner of this what-not shop has made quite the splash with the pony decor. Yet, I cannot come to the island without snapping a shot of it, it changes, season to season, and as she finds a home for a new piece of decor. Oh, yes. Just part of the charm.
This was the end of the line with the Pony Walk on Asseteague Island, from when they do the round up. They separate them into groups, mother and babies and the return to the island, getting them ready for the pony auction. This will be one of the last nights the babies will be with their mamas. The next day will be a whole new life for them.The last Pony Walk was in 2019. Seems like forever ago.
It is so hard to accessorize your ponies properly. The beauty is not so much in the way they frolic in the tidewaters, but more the loveliness of their locks, many growing long enough to touch the ground.
And just like that, this post is done. I hope you had a good time and learned a little something new. As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit, and just remember, #MarketFriday loves you! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!!
As always, there must be flowers to color my world. #alwaysaflower
I have been discovering new places, every day! I love to share and be shared with by you! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see you! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace, or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it anyway!
A Saltwater Cowboy waves goodbye as the ponies swim back home.
A pony hoof, Just a faint memory, only to live in the minds of those who witnessed it. A quick tide rolling in washes away all the evidence.
Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Don't ever forget what an amazing world we live in, people. Some days, it is not so easy to see, how truly wonderful it really is. Always remember,kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
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They surely are good looking ponies and I know Henry is well spoiled. He sure won the lottery when you nabbed him at auction.
Funny thing my daughter remembers reading a book about those ponies from when she was young. Strange how something like that can leave a memory 20 years after the fact.
There's something about horses huh? I've ridden a bit, nothing serious of course, but I've done my share. I think one of the coolest times was on the beach and in the waves, I was given a headstrong an spirited mount, she lady said to match my own temperament and he was a bit of a struggle; he wanted his own way all the time. He wasn't keen on getting into the waves but I got him there and we had a good time. It was deserted beach, no one else for miles in either direction, and it goes down as my best horse riding experience.
It's great to see traditions like this enduring as so many have either been stopped or have morphed into something else entirely.
Oh, yeah. There is something about those horses. I love them all, but, I am not one of those crazy cat horse ladies. They are fun to have and ride, but, not cuddly like a kitty.
The ponies own the beach, even if people go and sunbathe/swim there, Many a person has gotten bitten for trying to feed/pet them. They don't understand wild animals. They are harmless if you leave them alone.
You? Aa struggle. Say it isn't so! I can't imagine. 😂
The beach is one of the best riding experiences in my opinion. The traditions on the Virginia shore are fun and are born out of necessity usually. I cannot let July go by without going to one. :) It really is fun! :)
i certainly enjoyed your #marketFriday Denise and learned something new too. How lovely to be among all those horses, what energy leapt from your photos, such a delight. Thank you dear Denise🦄
Thank you so much for your words, Angie! It is always such a delight to go out to the island and visit the wild ones! I never tire of it and our horse is one of those beautiful babies! We bought him at auction a couple of years ago and have never looked back since!
It will be pretty busy but it's still a lot of fun and I am learning so much about the world. Thank you so much for taking the time to join #MarketFriday!
Thank you for dropping the link! Have a wonderful day!
It's a shame to see so many events cancelled and postponed.
It was just yesterday, we announced our National Day Parade here is postponed from 9-Aug to 21-Aug and fireworks are cancelled.
This virus is wrecking havoc to businesses and event planners for sure.
We also had fishery port cluster stretching to markets and also resulting in many markets closure. So much for #marketfriday. Sigh.
Anyway, I'm still here with this: https://hive.blog/hive-105017/@ace108/marketfriday-mission-possible-out-to-buy-lunch-or-by-ace108
It is a real shame. The Saltwater Cowboys (the firemen) depend on this revenue to help keep the horses inoculated and cared for. It also runs the Carnival and Pony Walk, the free busses and everything else. Without it, raising money is more of a struggle, but, they did it last year.
The virus really is wreaking havoc against humanity and all businesses. The closures are devastating.
Hi, Monkey! @kidsisters The white horses are beautiful, aren't they? I have one that is brown and white. His tail is all the way down to the ground and his mane is long and silky too.
I hope you are having a great day and thank you for stopping by!
horses in the fog are very romantic !!! Henry is handsome !!!! The pony by the water is very impressive! They are funny when they want to remove someone else's label from the neck))))) How beautiful the horses are swimming on the water in the video! You always tell something new and interesting for us, my dear! I have never even heard of this before. Yes, the pandemic, alas, makes its own adjustments 😥 https://ecency.com/hive-196308/@tali72/balls-in-the-mall
I know! It is so sad to not do this for the second summer in a row. The morning had just broken and the sea mist was still hovering over the beach. Henry was so tiny when we brought him home that I could have picked him up and carried him under my arms. :)) His mother had died and he was less than three months old, but, he turned out to be a handsome little guy.
The swim is always fun to watch all those horses swimming across the channel. I am glad you find it interesting!!
I am off to see what you bring me! Thank you so much for your participation!
I read all of the Misty books, but, yes!! That was my favorite and also my kids. You cannot imagine how excited we all were when we finally got to go and see it all.
I still wander the island and the trails hoping to spot random ponies grazing on the saltgrass. It still thrills me to go there. I pass by it every time I go to the Shore House.
It really is. I was there last weekend and there is no way I am going when they were supposed to have the Pony Penning this week. I thought about going and watching the ponies, but, it will be a real mess with no organized people to direct everything. Sounds like a COVVID party! ;)
Thank you! It is such a beautiful sight to go there when it is not during Pony Penning week, seeing them in their natural surroundings. I frequently hike the trails out there and you can often spot some of the herd grazing on the saltgrass in through there. I have seen them on the beaches, wandering about when people are sunbathing, but, usually, the rangers get them before they come in contact with people. This time of year, the babies are a few months old and so fun to watch frolicking about.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
What a unique event. I have never seen so many horses/ponies in all my life. I wish I could see these free spirited creatures.
Having the auction online would surely take all the fun out of the event.
It is wonderful that the proceeds go towards their care.
Thanks for sharing this, its lovely to read what happens around the world and the cultures there.
It really is quite unique, although it is popular to round up mustang ponies out west and auction them. It helps keep control of the population and the food supply abundant.
It does take the fun out of it, but, I hope next year will be their biggest year ever! The proceeds go toward their vet care, should they need it, and towards the surplus hay dropped in the winter to help them survive if it is a cold year.
I do love the different cultures of the world! It is exactly why I love this tag! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Thank you! It is a wonderful event that I love going to. I really like horses too and have a lot of fun riding. Thanks so much for stopping by and for dropping your link here!
Your posts are always so enjoyable to read, thanks Denise. Visiting Virginia and the Chincoteague pony swim just made my bucket list. It has to be such a wonderful experience. I have my eye on next July, may even plan early and take the whole family. I am sure the kids will love it.
Hope this finds you well, stay safe!
That would be so cool!!!! I would love to meet up there! Wouldn't that be fun? Well, coffee anyway. It is such a wild experience. It is a whole week of fun and you don't want to miss any part of it!
Thank you so much for your always wonderful comments and you just delight the heck right out of me! Thank you for being such a wonderful person and I am so sorry that I am so late getting here!
Those ponies are so beautiful, seeing that picture of them swimming across was priceless.
My son Ryan and family just left the farm, so I'm late also.
Such is life!
They surely are good looking ponies and I know Henry is well spoiled. He sure won the lottery when you nabbed him at auction.
Funny thing my daughter remembers reading a book about those ponies from when she was young. Strange how something like that can leave a memory 20 years after the fact.
Misty of Chincoteague. I think every young girl reads that book. It is all about the ponies of Chincoteague and how they came to be.
I think we are lucky too, Henry is such a good guy! Perhaps a little spoiled, but, aren't we at fault for that? :))
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your words.
Here is my no. 2. I have to help to power up the lady.
https://hive.blog/hive-105017/@ace108/marketfriday-lazada-is-not-alway-cheaper-or-faster-but-sometimes-it-comes-fast-or-lazada-by-ace108
Your wife is going to post too? How fun! You will have to let me know when she posts a profile!
Thanks for being part of #MarketFriday!
you're welcome. haha, I meant the power bank. 😎
Ha!
This is very cool indeed.
There's something about horses huh? I've ridden a bit, nothing serious of course, but I've done my share. I think one of the coolest times was on the beach and in the waves, I was given a headstrong an spirited mount, she lady said to match my own temperament and he was a bit of a struggle; he wanted his own way all the time. He wasn't keen on getting into the waves but I got him there and we had a good time. It was deserted beach, no one else for miles in either direction, and it goes down as my best horse riding experience.
It's great to see traditions like this enduring as so many have either been stopped or have morphed into something else entirely.
Oh, yeah. There is something about those horses. I love them all, but, I am not one of those crazy
cathorse ladies. They are fun to have and ride, but, not cuddly like a kitty.The ponies own the beach, even if people go and sunbathe/swim there, Many a person has gotten bitten for trying to feed/pet them. They don't understand wild animals. They are harmless if you leave them alone.
You? Aa struggle. Say it isn't so! I can't imagine. 😂
The beach is one of the best riding experiences in my opinion. The traditions on the Virginia shore are fun and are born out of necessity usually. I cannot let July go by without going to one. :) It really is fun! :)
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your words!
#MarketFriday loves you!
I think you can imagine all too well Swigs. Lol.
Sue me!! I truly can! :))
No litigation required...I know what I am and when people take the time to see clearly they should be rewarded not punished. :)
Taking the high road. How very decent of you.
I like it. I dont even have to be on guard 24/7.
Despite what perceptions may be I am a gentleman.
i certainly enjoyed your #marketFriday Denise and learned something new too. How lovely to be among all those horses, what energy leapt from your photos, such a delight. Thank you dear Denise🦄
Thank you so much for your words, Angie! It is always such a delight to go out to the island and visit the wild ones! I never tire of it and our horse is one of those beautiful babies! We bought him at auction a couple of years ago and have never looked back since!
Thank YOU and I am so sorry I am so late!
#Market Friday loves you!
Hi! Here is the link to my post.
https://ecency.com/hive-163772/@kaminchan/market-friday-quiet-tourist-spot
You are going to be very busy! So many posts for you! LoL
Have a nice weekend!
Stay warm and cheerful!
It will be pretty busy but it's still a lot of fun and I am learning so much about the world. Thank you so much for taking the time to join #MarketFriday!
Thank you for dropping the link! Have a wonderful day!
#MarketFriday loves you!
Yeah! Have fun and enjoy yourself touring the world. Each moment is so precious to me now!
Have a nice time!
Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! 🎉🥳🍍
Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!
Want to have your post on the map too?
Thank @pinmapple!! Done and done!
#MarketFriday loves you!
It's a shame to see so many events cancelled and postponed.
It was just yesterday, we announced our National Day Parade here is postponed from 9-Aug to 21-Aug and fireworks are cancelled.
This virus is wrecking havoc to businesses and event planners for sure.
We also had fishery port cluster stretching to markets and also resulting in many markets closure. So much for #marketfriday. Sigh.
Anyway, I'm still here with this:
https://hive.blog/hive-105017/@ace108/marketfriday-mission-possible-out-to-buy-lunch-or-by-ace108
It is a real shame. The Saltwater Cowboys (the firemen) depend on this revenue to help keep the horses inoculated and cared for. It also runs the Carnival and Pony Walk, the free busses and everything else. Without it, raising money is more of a struggle, but, they did it last year.
The virus really is wreaking havoc against humanity and all businesses. The closures are devastating.
Thanks for being part of the #MarketFriday!
#MarketFriday loves you!
It's Monkey-B: I like the horse. I like the white one specially. That's all!!
Hi, Monkey! @kidsisters The white horses are beautiful, aren't they? I have one that is brown and white. His tail is all the way down to the ground and his mane is long and silky too.
I hope you are having a great day and thank you for stopping by!
#MarketFriday loves you!
Here is my number 3.
https://hive.blog/hive-105017/@ace108/marketfriday-last-dine-in-for-a-while-at-astons-or-astons-by-ace108
I cannot afford you! :))
Thanks for dropping your link!
#MarkeetFriday loves you!
You're welcome.
horses in the fog are very romantic !!! Henry is handsome !!!! The pony by the water is very impressive! They are funny when they want to remove someone else's label from the neck))))) How beautiful the horses are swimming on the water in the video! You always tell something new and interesting for us, my dear! I have never even heard of this before. Yes, the pandemic, alas, makes its own adjustments 😥
https://ecency.com/hive-196308/@tali72/balls-in-the-mall
I know! It is so sad to not do this for the second summer in a row. The morning had just broken and the sea mist was still hovering over the beach. Henry was so tiny when we brought him home that I could have picked him up and carried him under my arms. :)) His mother had died and he was less than three months old, but, he turned out to be a handsome little guy.
The swim is always fun to watch all those horses swimming across the channel. I am glad you find it interesting!!
I am off to see what you bring me! Thank you so much for your participation!
#MarketFriday loves you!
My favorite book in elementary school, Misty of Chincoteaque.
I know this all must be so fun to see.
I read all of the Misty books, but, yes!! That was my favorite and also my kids. You cannot imagine how excited we all were when we finally got to go and see it all.
I still wander the island and the trails hoping to spot random ponies grazing on the saltgrass. It still thrills me to go there. I pass by it every time I go to the Shore House.
Thanks for stopping by!
@MarketFriday loves you!
I guess it was my fav because it was the first one I read.
I bet that's a nice healing place to walk.
It really is. I was there last weekend and there is no way I am going when they were supposed to have the Pony Penning this week. I thought about going and watching the ponies, but, it will be a real mess with no organized people to direct everything. Sounds like a COVVID party! ;)
Sure does ~!
Horses!!!
So beautiful...
In their semi-natural state...
Thank you! It is such a beautiful sight to go there when it is not during Pony Penning week, seeing them in their natural surroundings. I frequently hike the trails out there and you can often spot some of the herd grazing on the saltgrass in through there. I have seen them on the beaches, wandering about when people are sunbathing, but, usually, the rangers get them before they come in contact with people. This time of year, the babies are a few months old and so fun to watch frolicking about.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
#MarketFriday loves you!
Nice photography. Here is my entry : https://hive.blog/gems/@kamrunnahar/market-friday-goes-to-dhaka-international-trade-fair-last-year
Thank you so much for the kind words and for dropping your link!
#MarketFriday loves you!
What a unique event. I have never seen so many horses/ponies in all my life. I wish I could see these free spirited creatures.
Having the auction online would surely take all the fun out of the event.
It is wonderful that the proceeds go towards their care.
Thanks for sharing this, its lovely to read what happens around the world and the cultures there.
It really is quite unique, although it is popular to round up mustang ponies out west and auction them. It helps keep control of the population and the food supply abundant.
It does take the fun out of it, but, I hope next year will be their biggest year ever! The proceeds go toward their vet care, should they need it, and towards the surplus hay dropped in the winter to help them survive if it is a cold year.
I do love the different cultures of the world! It is exactly why I love this tag! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!
#MarketFriday loves you!
Have a wonderful weekend.
You too!
What a lovely post, I love horses thou have not ride on it before. nice one😍😍
Many people don't have them available. However, if you ever get the chance, you should do it at least once! :)
I hope you are having a great day!
#MarketFriday loves you!
View or trade
BEER.Hey @dswigle, here is a little bit of
BEERfrom @pixresteemer for you. Enjoy it!Learn how to earn FREE BEER each day by staking your
BEER.Thanks for the beer!
https://ecency.com/hive-196308/@maestroali/we-make-the-bread-ourselves
That's cool! Horses are very beautiful.
Thank you! It is a wonderful event that I love going to. I really like horses too and have a lot of fun riding. Thanks so much for stopping by and for dropping your link here!
#MarketFriday loves you!
Your posts are always so enjoyable to read, thanks Denise. Visiting Virginia and the Chincoteague pony swim just made my bucket list. It has to be such a wonderful experience. I have my eye on next July, may even plan early and take the whole family. I am sure the kids will love it.
Hope this finds you well, stay safe!
That would be so cool!!!! I would love to meet up there! Wouldn't that be fun? Well, coffee anyway. It is such a wild experience. It is a whole week of fun and you don't want to miss any part of it!
Thank you so much for your always wonderful comments and you just delight the heck right out of me! Thank you for being such a wonderful person and I am so sorry that I am so late getting here!
#MarketFriday loves you!
Those ponies are so beautiful, seeing that picture of them swimming across was priceless.
My son Ryan and family just left the farm, so I'm late also.
Such is life!
Thank you for the repost @pixresteemer! Much appreciated!
#MarketFriday loves you!