Mark Wilson / Getty Images People wait for the wild ponies in the marsh as a storm approaches in Chincoteague, Va., on July 24, 2013.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images Five women cross the marsh to get a better view of the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rainstorm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013, in Virginia.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images Wild ponies are herded toward the fairgrounds in Chincoteague, Va., July 24, 2013.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images Wearing a cowboy hat, Owen Waterfield watches as wild ponies are herded down the street toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel on July 24, 2013.

Thousands turned out for the annual event despite the thunder, lightning and rain as the wild ponies of Assateague Island were brought across the channel to Chincoteague, Va. The horses are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge and then auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. No injuries due to the weather were reported, and soaking rain didn’t spoil the enthusiastic crowd.

Full story from the Baltimore Sun