Kapral, from New Jersey's Sussex County, patiently waited along the edge of Assateague Channel, where the ponies swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. She and her family arrived at the swim area at 5 a.m., driving more than an hour from a campground near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Tens of thousands of spectators would have to wait for the swim. At about 8:45 a.m., organizers announced the ponies would cross the channel sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., drawing a collective moan from the crowd.
Kapral, attending the pony swim for the first time, didn't flinch.
"This was kind of all my daughter's idea," Kapral said. "She's dying for a pony. ... I don't know that we'll buy one this year, but probably next year."
Nearly 150 ponies dashed into the water at 12:01 p.m. and took about five minutes to cross. The swim was late because the "Saltwater Cowboys" -- who help at Pony Penning -- always hold the swim at "lack tide," or the time between the incoming and outgoing water currents, so the swim will be easier on ponies.
When the wet ponies arrived on Chincoteague Island, the Saltwater Cowboys and volunteer firefighters -- the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Co. owns the herd and organizes the event -- quickly ushered them into a holding pen, where they rested for about 45 minutes before parading through streets lined by clapping and cheering spectators.
The ponies not sold during today's auction will swim back to Assateague on Friday morning. The return trip draws fewer spectators and gives people a more personal view of the animals.
Today's 8 a.m. auction is held at the carnival grounds on Main Street.
Though official attendance totals were not immediately available, Roe Terry of the fire company said the event usually draws up to 50,000 people.
Earlier threats of rain did not deter spectators from attending the swim. Despite some gray clouds and a drop or two from the sky, the weather was warm and welcoming.
After the ponies were corralled inside the carnival grounds, the rain began to fall.
Terry said about 40 ponies too small or too old to swim were brought over Tuesday.
Among the several Saltwater Cowboys was Walter Marks of Onley. He and two other cowboys remained on shore before the swim and allowed spectators to look at their ponies.
Employed by the Virginia State Police, Marks said he has been a Saltwater Cowboy for 24 years.
"I never get tired of it," he said. "I look forward to doing this every year."
Sitting atop his pony, Marks observed the crowd and speculated what brings them to the swim every year.
He agreed that Marguerite Henry's children's novel, "Misty of Chincoteague," is partly responsible for the swim's success.
Marks also said the swim's uniqueness factors into its popularity.
"I've never heard of anything like this anywhere else," he said. "A lot of kids have read "Misty" and seen the movie. It's a nice family atmosphere. Everybody's friendly and seems to have a really good time."
Chincoteague Mayor Jack Tarr watched the swim while standing from a nearby dock. A pony swim attendee for more than 40 years, Tarr said enthusiasm builds for the event as summer progresses. The Pony Penning always is held on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.
"Where it's an annual event, people get excited as the time approaches," he said. "I think the look on the children's faces as the ponies are swimming is just wonderful. It certainly makes it all worthwhile."
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