The 2026 Chincoteague Pony SwimCHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. – The 101st annual Chincoteague Pony Swim took place early on Wednesday morning. The objective is for hundreds of ponies to travel across the Assateague Channel to make it home to Chincoteague Island. It is estimated that roughly 150 to 200 ponies made the trek to Pony Swim Lane. “My daughter said mom, “I’m coming with you, well she ended up not being able to go, and I said Mom goes by herself.” Money is raised for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company through the historic crossing.