Gov Youngkin Signs Pony Bill

CHINCOTEAGUE — The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation says the work of a 4-H teen in Accomack County helped the Chincoteague pony be selected as the official pony of the Commonwealth.

Governor Youngkin signed legislation that officially designated the Chincoteague Pony as the official pony of the Commonwealth of Virginia on Thursday.

Sophia Gallivan, a student at Broadwater Academy on the Eastern Shore, is credited with spurring the effort.

“My dad and I were driving home from a horse show, and we were talking about iconic things from each state,” said Gallivan. “The Chincoteague pony is such a Virginia icon that I thought it was probably the state pony, but then we found out it wasn’t recognized at all. I was like, ‘This has to be done.’”

With support from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which manages the wild pony herd, Gallivan reached out to her representatives in the General Assembly who introduced bills in both chambers during the 2023 session.

The bills later passed with bipartisan support and were signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on March 27.

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