Assateague Channel is a channel

Channel (geography)

In physical geography, a channel is the physical confine of a river, slough or ocean strait consisting of a bed and banks.A channel is also the natural or human-made deeper course through a reef, sand bar, bay, or any shallow body of water...

 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

Eastern Shore of Virginia

The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of two counties on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The region is part of the Delmarva Peninsula and is separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. Its population was 45,553 as of 2010...

 between Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague, Virginia

Chincoteague is a town on Chincoteague Island in Accomack County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2000 census. The town is perhaps best known for the Chincoteague Ponies, although these are not actually on the island of Chincoteague but on nearby Assateague Island...

 and Assateague Island

Assateague Island

Assateague Island is a long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia. It is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse. The island also contains numerous marshes, bays and coves, including Toms Cove...

. The Assateague Channel connects to Assateague Bay to the northeast and Chincoteague Inlet

Chincoteague Inlet

Chincoteague Inlet is an inlet on the Eastern Shore of Virginia at the mouth of the Chincoteague Channel between Wallops Island and Assateague Island....

 to the southwest.

Annual Pony Swim

On the last Wednesday in July, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department

Chincoteague Fire Department

The Chincoteague Fire Department is a historic U.S. building located at 4026/4028 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, Virginia. This building was initially constructed in 1930 and expanded in 1957....

 conducts the annual Wild Pony Swim as part of Pony Penning

Pony Penning

Pony Penning is an annual event held in Chincoteague, Virginia on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department conducts the event and it consists of a Wild Pony Swim on Wednesday and a Pony Auction on Thursday...

. Salt Water Cowboys round up wild Chincoteague Ponies

Chincoteague Pony

The Chincoteague Pony, also known as the Assateague horse, is a breed of pony that developed and lives in a feral condition on Assateague Island in the United States states of Virginia and Maryland. The breed was made famous by the Misty of Chincoteague series written by Marguerite Henry starting...

 from Assateague Island

Assateague Island

Assateague Island is a long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Maryland and Virginia. It is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse. The island also contains numerous marshes, bays and coves, including Toms Cove...

 and drive them across the Assateague Channel to Veteran’s Memorial Park on Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague, Virginia

Chincoteague is a town on Chincoteague Island in Accomack County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2000 census. The town is perhaps best known for the Chincoteague Ponies, although these are not actually on the island of Chincoteague but on nearby Assateague Island...

. Once on Chincoteague Island, the Salt Water Cowboys heard the ponies to pens on the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds where some of the foals are auctioned off the next day. This traditional event in its current form has taken place since 1925 to raise money for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, but its roots date back to the 17th century.