FROM: Mary Cone, Keith County, Nebraska, Trail Captain.
PST
Anticipation, and then boom, it’s over. The Pony Re-ride through Keith County, Nebraska, was one of the best. We received the mail south of Paxton from the North Platte Riders about 10 minutes early. This got us off to a great start in the mid-afternoon sunshine!! Bill rode Ginger, Donna was on Comet, Carl had Elvis, Kristy rode Jet and Spencer, Rick rode Phoenix and Cash, Don was on Little Brother, Angie rode Yeller, Mary Dale had Casper (who has been a mount for someone every year since 2002), Karla rode Cowboy, Adam was on Lady, Kristy and daughter “Rosin”, who buddy-rode, were on Thunder and Ranger, and Mary rode Shiny Colonel. Support personnel Ron, Joan, Mona and Jan helped with rig-driving duties and “rear guard” protection. Howard, still recovering from West Nile, couldn’t ride yet, but came along and supervised. Everyone did a great job!
We were able to ride in daylight this year, and it worked out time-wise to have a brief supper stopover at Ogallala at the Tri-Trails Park, south of town, where the Oregon, Pony Express and Great Western Cattle Trails cross. Local folks came out, enjoyed a cream can supper and watched the mochila exchange and learned about the Pony Express. National NPEA President Lyle Ladner administered the oath to the riders there, also.
We were all grateful for good weather and a safe ride. We arrived about 40 minutes early to Big Springs as the sun was setting. There, we turned the mochila over to the Colorado riders.
God speed to all onward to Sacramento!!