100th Chincoteague Pony Swim Highlights Part I

My heart fluttered as I climbed the ladder of my friend’s camper, binoculars dangling from my neck, eager to take in a panoramic view of wild Chincoteague Ponies paddling their way from Assateague to Chincoteague Island. Upon reaching my vista point atop the camper stationed at the water’s edge of Tom’s Cove Park, I remembered my fear of heights. The camper owner suggested I take a wide stance with my feet separated. I’m not sure if her urging was entirely for my own safety, or so I didn’t dent the roof—lol.

2025 pony swim view from atop a camper. In years past, I have viewed from a kayak and a charter boat.

A news station helicopter whirred overhead, and my friend’s camera click-click-clicked. I focused on scores of pony heads gliding through the blue-gray water, resembling an armada of triangular toy boats. Countless fans standing shoulder to shoulder awaited the ponies on docks, from the water and muddy marsh, all jockeying for a glimpse of the herd clambering to shore. 

Pony seekers erupted into shouts and applause as the soaked stallions, mares and foals regrouped on terra firma to take a breather and graze on the kiwi-green marsh grasses. I lost sight of the ponies because of the crowds flanking their landing spot. This centennial swim was my fourth viewing of the paddling ponies. I first fell in love with the scene on the pages of Misty of Chincoteague. In 2022, I witnessed the spectacular event in real life from a swaying kayak while researching for my book Marguerite, Misty and Me.

As a four-time Chincoteague Pony Swim alum, I believe each year provides a new joy and adventure for the heart of a Misty fan. If you’ve ever dreamed of going to the Virginia island where Misty of Chincoteague takes place, you MUST go! You will love it. In order to encourage you, here are some of my 100th Chincoteague Pony swim highlights (Part 1).

Last year aboard the Martha Lou, the ponies swam right in front of us. (We had to meet at the docks at 4 a.m. zzzzz). My niece, who was in a kayak, said that if she had reached her arm out, she would have touched the ponies–they crossed so closely in front of her. CLICK HERE to read all about the 99th pony swim. 

The year before that, after a kayak paddle, I landed on a sandbar to watch the aquatic pony processional. 

That first year, from a rented tomato-red kayak, I was so close I could hear the ponies’ purring breath and discern their coat colors. That has been a highlight of my life and a favorite equestrian adventure. You’ve got to try the kayak experience if you are able to. Pretty sure you’ll love it. 

This was my first view of the pony swim in 2022. A breathtaking view. No zoom lens required.

On to the Pony Parade

The benefit of watching the swim from land this was that we could then watch the ponies parade down the residential area en route to the carnival grounds, which is their home base for the week. I’m a parade fan. I’ve had the chance to attend a Presidential Inauguration parade, the Rose Parade (a few times)—even the Doo Dah Parade (a Rose Parade parody), but the Chincoteague Ponies and Saltwater Cowboys streaming down the street was a sight to behold. I caught this parade from a blue fold-up chair with a cupholder placed strategically in front of a golf cart (the people in the golf cart could see over my head). Note to self: rent a golf cart.

So close to the ponies! All ponies have names, and pedigree records exist.

Marguerite, Misty and Me on TV!

After watching last year’s pony swim via WBOC’s YouTube page, I reached out to see if they wanted to learn about Marguerite Henry—the “founder of the feast” so to speak. To my surprise and delight, I was invited to be a guest on TWO shows: Coast Life filmed in Milton, Delaware, and Delmarva Life filmed in Salisbury, Maryland. Talk about a nerve-wracking honor. Click the images below to link to the videos. Being on TV was definitely a 100th Chincoteague Pony swim highlight. 

Coast Life hosts Leah and Charlie report on the annual pony swim in what reminds me of an exciting sports broadcast.

Notice I brought along my travel Misty and Stormy Breyers for the Coast Life TV appearance, along with my new novella, Misty’s First Christmas! 

Kelly and Lisa from Delmarva Life made me feel right at home as I shared about my book Marguerite, Misty and Me.

Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Open House

After my Delmarva Life interview, I rushed on over to the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team Open House. Every Tuesday of Pony Penning Week, Kendy Allen (the founder and coach of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team) hosts an event at her farm, KerKaKen Acres, so people can see how versatile (and adorable) the ponies are and get to know more about the breed. The open house also serves as a fundraiser for the troupe that performs at dozens of events on the Eastern Seaboard and even Kentucky. This year they appeared at BreyerFest! 

Most of these ponies are Misty descendants.

Beebe Ranch Tour and History Talk

A couple of years ago, the Beebe Ranch—the same pony farm where the real Misty of Chincoteague was born—went up for sale. Thousands of people from across the country came together to help the Museum of Chincoteague raise the funds needed to purchase the property. Just in time for Pony Penning Week 2025, the museum opened the ranch house as a satellite exhibit. This is the same home where a very pregnant Misty weathered the devastating Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962. Visitors can now walk through the kitchen featured in Stormy, Misty’s Foal, where Misty hung out with a mound of hay, a kitchen sink filled as a water trough and where she somehow opened the refrigerator door and helped herself to molasses.

This photo of Marguerite and Maureen is so adorable! I had never seen it before. And look at the darling siblings aboard a pony. (Does anyone out there know which pony that might have been?)

One large wall of the home/museum commemorates the Beebe family in a lovely mural-and-photograph family tree. Another area has a display of various Misty Breyers through the years. There’s a wall to honor Marguerite Henry and a wall to honor Wesley Dennis, the illustrator who brought the Chincoteague Ponies to life for readers. 

Sarah Boudreau, the creative force behind the awesome website Chincoteague Pony History presented a talk based on her new book Before Misty: Early Chincoteague Pony History. You can get a feel for the lovingly-curated displays at the ranch in the photo below of Sarah presenting to an eager audience. Notice the Western saddle on the bottom right of this photo. That gem was discovered along with hundreds of letters and other documents and artifacts up in the attic. The museum director shared they still have more materials in the attic of this home that have yet to be looked over. My hope is to one day live out my Nancy Drew dreams and look for clues in the Beebe attic!

This is just a small batch of highlights from the centennial pony swim. I have so much more to share like riding the vintage carousel at the carnival grounds, meeting in real life the illustrator of my next book, giving a talk about Marguerite Henry and Misty at the Museum of Chincoteague. Stay tuned for Part 2 in coming weeks. 

Thank you for reading Part 1 and tally ho!

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