Casper, Wyo. – The National Pony Express Association successfully arrived at the Patee House in Missouri completing the 2025 annual re-ride on June 21st
The National Pony Express Association (NPEA) was created in 1978 and since then have been committed to preserving the pony express national historic trail. Every year since then they have hosted the commemorative Pony Express annual re-ride by reliving how mail was delivered on horseback in the 1860s. The organization is a non-profit, volunteer association made of riders who want to be a part of keeping history alive.
Jackie Breed, a volunteer ride for Wyoming says, “ It’s just kind of fun reliving history and replaying how they did it years ago.” Breed continues, “We can’t come anywhere close to how tough those people were but it’s just kind of fun to re-enact it.”
This event happens in just 10 days with different riders galloping across eight different states following the original trail 24 hours a day. This year the route began in Sacramento California and ended in St. Joseph Missouri with riders traveling around 18 hundred miles to complete the journey.
The spot map from the live GPS tracker recorded on June 16 at 6am mountain standard time that the pony crossed the state line into Wyoming. In an era before easy mass communication, the pony express was the thread that tied east to west delivering different letters. The pony express was in operation for only 18 months but has become a staple in the history of the old west.
Deylynne Halsey, a volunteer rider for Wyoming says, “I have been doing the pony express for five years now and every single year I use Katniss,(her horse)” Halsey continues, “We really enjoy re-enacting this and bringing history to life.”
Most of the original trail has been lost over time or overlooked by human advancements, but many of the old segments and historic sites still exist. According to NPEA, Wyoming has 43 station listings covering 489 miles of trail with the garrison pony express station here in Casper at the historic trail center.
The letters that were carried in the mochila were successfully delivered to their final destination marking another successful year of completing The Pony Express Annual Re-ride. To follow the annual event live in the future or to learn more how to send a letter through the volunteer riders, visit the NPEA website.