CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. — Ten-year-old Fiona Maloney of Saluda, South Carolina, won King Neptune, the first foal to come ashore during the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim.
Maloney won the pony through the annual raffle, of which she purchased over $100 in tickets. She said she saved money to buy these raffle tickets for a year by completing small jobs for her grandmother.
"This is one of the best things that's ever happened to me," Maloney told CoastTV News. "This is just one of the most special days of my life."
An onlooker congratulates Sean Maloney as his daughter Fiona cries tears of joy after winning her very own Chincoteague pony.
Maloney's win was celebrated by the crowd in Chincoteague, with many remarking how happy they were to see a little girl win her dream pony.
Maloney, who plans to name her new pony Tiger, said horses have always been an important part of her life. She has a soft spot for the Chincoteague pony.
King Neptune is the first foal to touch land after the pony swim.
"I think they're very special because of all the history they've had,” Maloney said.
The first pony to touch land at the conclusion of the swim is named King or Queen Neptune, depending on its gender. That pony is always awarded via raffle tickets, sold for $1 each.
Wednesday night's raffle comes before Thursday morning's auction, where the remaining foals will be auctioned off. The auction serves as another fundraiser for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, who manages the herd of wild ponies. It also curbs the population of the herd, as the federal permit for the ponies is capped at 150. Some ponies are sold as "buybacks" meaning they remain wild with the herd, but the winner has naming rights.
