FROM: Wendy Anderson, Nevada NPEA Ride Captain
PST
Ride Captain’s Report Hello, all you horse and Pony Express lovers!! I can’t believe another year has come and gone for our group the Schellbourne Re-Riders! We had a really great, exciting year in 2014. Had a group of great riders join us from Pahrump Nevada, Utah and Idaho. I want to take the time and thank everyone who rode with us this year, so here we go, THANKS EVERYONE 🙂 Hope I don’t miss anyone. Gene Ockert, Deanna Hoge, Josef Drain, Wendy Anderson, Tony Zamora, Carol Hunt, Eva Jensen, Tom Love, Travis Morrison, Steve Campbell, Claude Malnack, Pi Linnares, Marilyn Linnares, Doug Shaw, George Veliz, Darrell Beighley, Kyla Hannah, James Hannah, Mason Haner, James D. Hannah, Jim Hannah, Mary Hannah, Loretta Hannah, Vincent Hannah, Norm “Doc” Christensen, Bret Christensen, Drake Christensen, and Chris Christensen. Ed Ockert came along to drive and take pictures for us. Thanks Ed.
Most of our group camped out on Friday the 13th, had a great meal (Hotel Nevada donated the beans, chicken and salad), got to know each other, visiting most of the evening and having a super swear in for all the new riders which consisted of: Deanna Hoge, Josef Drain, Travis Morrison, George Veliz, Mason Haner, Jimmy Hannah, and Drake Christensen, most of which are teenagers. After lots of coffee to keep warm and stay awake, the ride started for us up on top of the Diamonds/Overland Pass this year. We sent Gene and Josef up to the top of mountain at 7:30 p.m. where they had to wait until 12:20 a.m. to pick the mail up from Notterman’s group. They were just over 2 hours early, which was greatly appreciated. From there, our group of excited riders started lining out across Huntington. I am only going to say this one time, but it was true throughout the 144 miles, boy those Paso Fino horses are quick and durable. Everyone not riding Paso’s did an awesome job too, and I know because I don’t have a Paso Fino, yet!
At Ruby Valley we handed off to Doc, Bret, Chris and Drake, where they covered the miles with a quickness. Once again, we all lined out up through the Mavericks, headed to White Rock where only horses travel. At this point, Tony and Gene were prepared to take the mochilla and head for the hills. George came riding up the trail on a paso, he had passed another rider arriving just in time for me to ask him if he was ready for a really great ride. Without consideration, George took off after the other riders and they were all out of sight within seconds. The rest of the group started heading for the other side of White Rock and Butte Valley. Because Ed and I had to pick up riders on White Rock, we took off first.
This was the only time I was concerned about riders missing! It seemed like an eternity waiting for the riders to come down out of White Rock, but they were just enjoying their ride and taking it easy. Then, I really became concerned when I could not see the dust clear across the valleys for the Pahrump riders. I thought maybe we had lost them. Later, after the ride in speaking to George, he said they were all over on the other side of White Rock looking for him, he had gone missing. Yep, we kind of forgot to let their group know he had gone through White Rock. Good thing they finally gave up on looking for him and came on through to the Butte Valley Road.
I hit a rock with Tony’s new trailer tires and blew one, so Travis and I dropped the trailer in a gully and changed the tire and was ready for the riders when they came off White Rock. We then handed off to Josef and Deanna and they took off across Butte Valley to where they handed off to the Christensen group. Chris got that grump gray mare lined out and up the mountain to Egan he headed. The rest of our riders had to jump in trucks and drive around the mountain and into Cherry Creek over to the road coming down out of Egan. Travis and I tried to get a quick ride in here, but the Christensen’s were so fast, there was not time to get in line. The Paso riders took over from here lining out down the fence line and road into Schellbourne Station. Joyce Christensen (Doc’s wife) had volunteered to bring our group of tired, hungry riders breakfast items, lunch items, water for the horses and gas for thirsty trucks. Thanks so much, we could not have survived without you. And, if you are in Ely, check out the local museum, where Joyce put together a great Pony Express display.
As the rider came in, Jimmy Hannah handed the mochilla off to (new, fresh riders) Tom Love, Carol Hunt, Eva Jensen, Steve Campbell, Claude Malnack, and Marilyn Linnares. We were ready for a bit of a rest. They all lined out across Schellbourne, down to Voglers Y and on up the mountain heading up to the highest mountain peak along the 1900 plus miles of trail–Rock Springs. Travis Morrison and I were there awaiting the arrival of the mail. We were met by Kyla and James Hannah. They handed off to us and we headed up the steep mountains, around 9 or 10 miles through to the area we call the turn around. We had a wonderful, peaceful ride, kept the trot pace up and made some good time. Then we handed off to Carol and Eva, of whom took it down to the Tippets trail, where all the Christensen’s took over again for another 8 miles or so. At the cattle guard, Steve Campbell, Eva Jensen, and quite a few others lined out for the final 17 miles of our ride. At this point, anyone who wanted more miles got out and rode together. For the last 10 miles or so, it became a race and I lost. The Paso Fino horses with teenagers on them, blew past me on my white, Quarter, Paint, Arabian horse. They obviously train their horses to run for miles, I guess I will be working on this for next year. Yes, I will try again next year to keep up with you young riders. It was great fun! I felt it the next day though!
All the riders, that wanted to participate, rode in together to the Ibapah Pony Express Monument several hours early where we were met by the National President Lyle Ladner and First Vice President, Dean Atkin. Some of the Utah riders started arriving before we headed for Hicks Ranch and dinner! Thanks to our National officers for being there and supporting all the riders along the trail this year. So, there you have it. Yes, we all had a great time and will have some tall tales to tell for the year to come. I personally cannot wait until next year! Best wishes to all of you until we meet again on the Pony Express Trail.