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Chincoteague Ponies - The Swim
2010.08.03
On the left is the tip of Assateague Island. To the right is the small island in the middle of the channel. Chincoteague is to the right of that small island.
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And the swim begins.
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Please enlarge. I really need a more powerful zoom!
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The first ponies have made it to the center island.
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This is the second leg. They are now swimming from the center island to the bank of Chincoteague. Great view those people on the boats have!!
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Land is just to the right of the deck area.
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A small segment of the crowd.
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And the remainder of photos are of the journey to the fair grounds.
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Evidence here of the muddy channel bottom.
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These are wild horses, but so well behaved.
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Perhaps they are proud of their accomplishments. I know there was pride in my heart. They are just magnificent.
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Wednesday is swim day. The horses are led from the holding pens to the shore of Assategue Island. They will make the short swim to Chincoteague Island, but will stop on a small island in the middle of the channel. Any horses having difficulty with the swim would be loaded on a boat for the final leg. Few have problems.
After a resting period and a medical check, they will be led to the carnival grounds and penned until they are auctioned the next day.
After a resting period and a medical check, they will be led to the carnival grounds and penned until they are auctioned the next day.
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Loved this portion, Ray! The horses are wonderful, but I'm really amazed at how many people turn out to watch, especially in all those boats. Would like to have seen them all getting into their spots. Great job on your part!
darfoster · 2010-08-03: 10:23
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Moving and spectacular series Very nice all this story with horses and ponies
josy63 · 2010-08-03: 14:49
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Interesting story..I feel sorry for the horses, some look malnourished and hungry..some will go to homes I guess, some won't be so lucky. Great shots, thanks for sharing.
NellyBly · 2010-08-03: 15:43
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#9 is perfect!!
????? · 2010-08-03: 16:50
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I was wondering if i would see the horses swimming! haha super shots!
onlyricky · 2010-08-03: 17:41
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Amazing set again! :)
????? · 2010-08-03: 19:45
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Wonderful and exciting story, Ray....you're so lucky to have experienced and photographed it!
lookagain · 2010-08-03: 20:59
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I'm so glad I found your post tonight, Ray. This has been such a wonderful series of shots. Your images described for us a true American experience - thanks for that!
djnana · 2010-08-03: 22:52
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excellent seria fantastic picture!!
Davorka · 2010-08-04: 09:58
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Spectacular! What a fantastic experience this must have been for you to photograph such an event. Excellent series!Thanks for sharing some of the adventure!
ArtBee · 2010-08-04: 11:42
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Great set...love #9 :))
lynnsgallery2 · 2010-08-05: 07:01
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You got some great spots to take these shots-- very cool... 6 is a little scary how high the water is on the ponies. That shot is kind of my image of it from reading those books :)
paulamarquis · 2010-08-05: 12:58
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Very interesting. Never heard of such a thing. Thanks for sharing.
SunflowerGirl · 2010-08-06: 13:58
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Really interesting set of pictures Ray.
SADHYA · 2010-08-07: 06:10
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Interesting and magnificent pony horses.
????? · 2010-08-09: 17:29
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I've never seen anything like it! How terribly cool!
????? · 2010-08-11: 21:38
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Very interesting!
wildduck · 2010-08-13: 05:38
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One of my favourite books when I was growing up was 'Stormy, Misty's foal' which is a story about this very event, (I must have read it 50 times)... so thanks for this blast from the past... I hadn't realised that the story was based on a real occurance.
Annbramwell · 2010-12-17: 09:23
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