By Year
By State
2014
My horse has a big heart!
FROM: Petra Keller - Pony Express Nevada
PDT
Go Pony! Rider Report Petra Keller My horse has a big heart: We arrived at our first section at the Fredericksburg Cemetery, CA. The weather report called for clear skies and wind – LOTS of wind. And the weather man was right – the flag at the cemetery was flapping, the metal clasps banging against the flag pole, a helium balloon flutters across the street, only the nearby residents are quiet. It’s 8:30 AM and we are saddling up waiting for the incoming mail. My mount Red is, Continue Reading
Over came the obstacles ( lame horses, blown motors, flat tires etc)
FROM: Arthur Johnson, President Nevada NPEA
PDT
I would like to thank all of the Nevada’s riders and support team for a job well done! Congrats to each and every one of you. I am so honored and humbled to serve such a hard working group of men and women! All of you worked through the challenges and over came the obstacles ( lame horses, blown motors, flat tires etc ). Once again THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS!
THE MAGIC OF THE RIDE
FROM: Ron Bell, Silver Springs Nv
PDT
Ride of 2014 THE MAGIC OF THE RIDE Poem By Ron Bell Silver Springs Nv The moon is setting high in the sky My horse moves away as the Mochilla is placed I step up, my toe searches for the stirrup My horses hoofs echoing, I feel the magic of the ride With a cool night breeze in my face The trail is opening before me by the light of the moon How many times, how many have ridden this trail Taking me back in time the magic, Continue Reading
2013
Austin to Smith Creek Ranch
FROM: Jim Hannah, Nevada, Ride Captain
PDT
Although the weather was dicey both the day and night before, we got the mail right outside of Austin under soon to be clear skies. We were blessed with good weather, uphill but regular terrain, excellent support and even better riders and mounts. We ran a smooth fast leg with very little trouble and helped put the mail back on time at Smith Creek Ranch. We were able to cut the allotted time on our 30-ish mile section by an hour and ten minutes. Our horses and riders were Jimmy, Continue Reading
Report from the Trail (Kyburz Dump to Wire Gate)
FROM: Laura Beeman, California NPEA
PDT
Report from the Trail (Kyburz Dump to Wire Gate) Knowing we would be riding in daylight this year allowed my riding partner Sheree Harrington and me to choose a more technical portion of the XP Trail through El Dorado National Forest. We were assigned the 4.2 mile stretch from Kyburz Dump to Wire Gate and allotted 65 minutes to complete this fairly advanced stretch of mountain terrain. After a great BBQ dinner of tri-tip and chicken with all the fixings, prepared by Donnie “Cookie” Harrington, we were tacked up and, Continue Reading
Fun we had across 3 very diverse sections of trail across NV and CA
FROM: Petra Keller, Nevada NPEA
PDT
My fourth year participating in the reride and what fun we had in 3 very diverse sections of trail across NV and CA. The first section was with Ride Captain Doug Jares – April Carlson(1st time rider) riding my filly Tiara Nevada (T) received the mail at the ‘white house’. We heard the incoming rider Corey Jares ‘hoot’ through the willows announcing his arrival – a swift exchange between the two and off we went. At the first cattle guard we came across we opened the gate and choose to, Continue Reading
Report Sand Mountain to Top Gun
FROM: Ron Bell, Nevada NPEA
PDT
Report Sand Mountain to Top Gun Sandy Blair started our section riding Tango; Tango is Larry McPherson’s horse. He would have ridden her this year if his health had permitted. Sandy and Tango covered the first two mile section. Tango had a little problem getting started but after a bit cantered along just fine. Anne Martins picked up the mail from Sandy, riding Sam, her Mustang. With a fast exchange Anne was up galloping down the trail. I followed along for a bit then moved on past to get to, Continue Reading
Schellbourne Re-riders Pony Express
FROM: Wendy Anderson, Schellbourne Re-riders Pony Express
PDT
Hello, fellow Pony Riders, well we have all done it once again. Hope it was a great experience for everyone involved. Our group of 21 riders was scheduled to pick up the mail at 11:30 p.m. Nevada time, it was a few hours late. Shortly before 4:00 a.m. we took off down the trail. Our riders were all lined out clear to Tippets Flat. In the lead, we had our Nevada State President, Arthur Johnson lighting the way for us on his 4-wheeler. It was a huge help in making, Continue Reading
The Secretary of the Nevada Division speaking to the crowd in Genoa
FROM: Ginger Swigert
PDT
The city of Genoa and the Nevada Pony Express Association had planned numerous community events after the pony and rider headed towards the California state line. Special kudos goes to Nevada for making up the lost time and delivering the mail ahead of schedule. The Secretary of the Nevada Division speaking to the crowd in Genoa.
Each state has its own unique challenges to overcome
FROM: Ginger Swigert
PDT
Each state has its own unique challenges to overcome as they carry the mail through different terrain. The states all find solutions to their challenges and the mail moves on. In Nevada the riders are riding through terrain where vehicles can’t follow them. This year the President used an all-terrain vehicle to make sure riders are safe as they ride through the night. Cowboy ingenuity is apparent in all the states. We drove into Cold Springs station and at least 5 rigs were ready to roll out as the rider, Continue Reading