Wild horses get into the swim of things at the 'Saltwater Cowboys' annual fair

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 03:29 EST, 29 July 2011

More than a hundred wild ponies found their sea-legs yesterday as they swam across the Assateague Channel, while putting on a show for thousands of spectators.

Horse lovers took photographs and recorded the Chincoteague Pony herd during its 86th annual swim in Chincoteague, Virginia.

Each year the wild ponies are auctioned to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which cares the Virginia herd.

Giddy up: Chincoteague Ponies make their way across Assateague Channel during the 86th annual Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim in Virginia

Giddy up: Chincoteague Ponies make their way across Assateague Channel during the 86th annual Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim in Virginia

Ponies that are not sold and those that are donated back to the fire department will roam free for another year on the national wildlife refuge on Assateague.

Around 130 young horses were herded through the straight watched by more than 40,000 people watching.

Keep going! A tired pony struggles through the water but luckily the low tide made it a bit easier

Keep going! A tired pony struggles through the water but luckily the low tide made it a bit easier

Companions: The young horses gave each other encouragement as they made their way across the channel together

Companions: The young horses gave each other encouragement as they made their way across the channel

Members of the fire company committee named ‘Saltwater Cowboys’ guided from above the horses, The Baltimore Sun reported.

The ponies took just four minutes and 40 seconds to make their way across the passage that measures half a mile.

And luckily for the young horses, on top of their swimming challenge, they managed to walk about half the distance due to the tide being low.

Fan frenzy: 40,000 spectators showed up to watch and photograph the Chincoteague Pony herd during its 86th annual swim

Fan frenzy: 40,000 spectators showed up to watch and photograph the Chincoteague Pony herd

Rest time: After their swimming challenge, the ponies started grazing at the landing site

Rest time: After their swimming challenge, the ponies started grazing at the landing site

Celebratory cheer: A horse lets out a neigh of excitement after completing the challenge

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