As brief as it is riveting, a procession of chestnut stallions, speckled mares, and silvery foals awes spectators gathered to witness the majestic Chincoteague ponies traverse the Assateague Channel’s calm, sun-dappled waters. The annual event and accompanying weeklong fanfare are points of pride for the tight-knit community of Chincoteague, Virginia, where a relaxed vibe suits the leisurely graze and gambol of wildlife on the untouched coastal terrain.
“Chincoteague Island is the commercial, residential island, and Assateague Island is the natural area
