CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) — It’s one of the most storied and beautiful events in all of Virginia, and this year, the Chincoteague Pony Swim celebrated 100 years.

Wednesday morning, thousands showed up to watch the horses make their way across the Assateague Channel on the Eastern Shore.

Those thousands began showing up at the crack of dawn for this year’s pony swim.

“About 5 [a.m.]. We got on the bus about 5, so it was probably 5, 5:30,” said a woman attending the pony swim.

The usual suspects were there, the Saltwater Cowboys, the flotilla of boats, the crowds — and the muddy muck.

“I didn’t expect the mud,” one person said.

Another kid made the best of it, finding more fun in crabbing than horsing around.

But this was no ordinary pony swim, with Chincoteague celebrating its 100th anniversary of transferring the wild ponies and foals from Assateague Island to their side. One guy had his merchandise before the show ever started, wearing a commemorative 100th anniversary t-shirt.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his wife stopped by to witness the historic event.

“Good morning, good morning,” the governor said. “How much fun is this going to be?”

Shortly after 8 a.m., the ponies hit the water. In its 100-year history, the pony swim has been canceled just four times — 1942 and 1943 for World War II, and 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wednesday, for the most part, the weather cooperated, perhaps a bit too much, as the heat brought out emergency crews to rescue a few people from the marsh.

Those who toughed it out got a show they’ll never forget.

“It’s amazing — you get so close to them, and they parade by, and watch them swim,” said pony swim enthusiast Carly Wilson. “And all the people having such a good time, it’s pretty awesome. … I came a couple of years ago, and it was even better this year.”

After the swim, the ponies will be auctioned off at the fairgrounds, with the proceeds going to the fire department who organize the event and help with the care of the horses.

Be sure to watch some of our past coverage on the pony swim on WAVY+ with our special, Century on Chincoteague: The Pony Swim, streaming now.