New Bill Would Make Chincoteague Ponies Official Va. State Pony

Update: the bill to make the Chincoteague pony Virginia’s state pony has made it to the governor’s desk and is waiting to be signed into law.

With a busy legislative session underway, Virginians from both sides of the aisle can agree: the Chincoteague ponies are a treasure of the Commonwealth. An officially recognized breed since 1994, these stocky horses roam wild on the barrier islands, grazing on marsh grasses and delighting tourists as they meander the dunes.

Recently, there has been movement to have the Chincoteague pony declared the official pony of Virginia. Delegate Robert Bloxom (R) and Senator Lynwood Lewis (D) have introduced to the Virginia Legislature a pair of bills doing just that. If the bills pass, the ponies will join the northern cardinal, brook trout, and American foxhound as official Virginia state fauna.

As a sophomore in college, Hunter Leonard, Public Relations officer for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC), learned of…