Reports from the Trail: Stories
By Year
By State
2014
The name of the game was weather-the nasty kind!
FROM: Mary Cone, Trail Captain, Keith County, Nebraska
PDT
The 2014 Re-Ride of the Pony Express will be a memory to long remember for the Keith County, Nebraska Re-Riders!! The name of the game was weather-the nasty kind! You’ve read previously about the Colorado Riders coming through the tornado warning, rain, lightning, hail, wind………wow, I don’t know how they did it!! And in the dark, no less. Great job, Colorado! As our group’s ride time approached, we were making phone calls, trying to figure out when to gather, waiting out the tornado warnings in a safe place., Continue Reading
Riding through rain and sleet at times
FROM: Adam Bolek, Nebraska NPEA
PDT
Received the mail 45 min early from the Colorado riders (1245 am Mnt) due to some of our riders being held up due to area storms (tornado’s, wind, heavy rain and hail) the pony left Big Springs ahead of schedule. Riders had to ride in rain and sleet at times. While others stopped along the way clearing tree debris off the roads so we could get rigs and ponies through. Due to the heavy rain and road conditions it forced us to change our path of travel but all riders, Continue Reading
6 miles in ran into rain, lightning, hail, tornado! Took shelter!
FROM: Lisa Marie, Colorado Mail
PDT
News from Colo. Division. 6 miles in ran into rain, lightning, hail, tornado! Took shelter! Then continued on watching the sky for a second storm cell that was moving our way. Should get to Big Springs 12:30-1:00. Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 7:42pm by Lisa Marie Chappell, NE. Colorado division picked up the mail at 8.44 mountain time.1:45 hours ahead of schedule. Big storm on our tail.
As usual our leaders did a great job of planning, keeping things moving has to be like herding cats!
FROM: Beverley Heffernan, Utah Team 2
PDT
I am part of Utah’s Team 2 which carried the mail from Murray Park to the Wyoming border, handing off 3 hours ahead of schedule. My first ride was in Emigration Canyon where my horse Luke was swarmed by neighborhood kids, a few of whom were thrilled because they had just learned about the Pony Express in school. I got lots of cheers from bike riders and from a terrace full of diners at a little cafe. As usual our leaders did a great job of planning, keeping things moving, Continue Reading
We all consider it an honor to be a part of this event commemorating our past and advancing the legacy
FROM: Vicki Hood of Guernsey, WY
PDT
The group from Southeast Wyoming picked up the mail from the Douglas riders at Glendo and headed out about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday. Elana Herr made her first official Pony Express ride as she covered the first leg out of Glendo. The moon was about 3/4 full, some wind, lightning in the distance and partly cloudy skies made for cool riding but we all stayed dry! The mail was exchanged at Register Cliff (Nine Mile House) around 2:40 a.m. Wednesday and the riders headed toward Fort Laramie. The riders made, Continue Reading
One of best re-rides our group has had
FROM: Ron Atkinson, Uinta County Wyoming Ride Captain
PDT
Had one of best re-rides our group has had. Received the mail from Utah approx. 3 hours ahead of schedule. This really starts the wheels in motion. I had scheduled riders to be at state line 1 1/2 hours early. This caught us off guard and the scramble was on. Started getting riders at state line and we headed out at 12;55. Sky was over cast part time so no moon.All riders were at their assigned rides so ride went effortlessly. Near perfect riding conditions, what a fun day it, Continue Reading
From East Canyon Reservoir to Broad Hollow with Team #2
FROM: Cindy Furse, Team #2, Utah
PDT
Tesla and me carrying the mail from East Canyon Reservoir to Broad Hollow with Team #2 (Utah) Sunday evening about 730pm. Bit blurry, because we are at a full gallop, but a unique perspective, I think. And a photo after this ride (he is a big, powerful horse still anxious to go), and then a wash down and snack.
Every year jaelynn wished that she could ride, her day finally arrived
FROM: Sherry Killpack, Utah Npea
PDT
For 8 years my grand daughter jaelynn went with me on the re ride. Every year jaelynn wished that she could ride, her day finally arrived. She got to ride with the Utah team from simpson springs to Murray park in salt lake utah. She was even our first rider up. Her horse poncho did her proud. The smile on her face made all the hard work worth it. Our ride from Simpson springs was as close to perfect as it could be. The weather was perfect for the horses., Continue Reading
Hello, all you horse and Pony Express lovers!
FROM: Wendy Anderson, Nevada NPEA Ride Captain
PDT
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,, Continue Reading
The Females Must Get through
FROM: Susan Maxwell Skinner, Sacramento
PDT
The Females Must Get through Report by Susan Maxwell Skinner Sacramento In 1860, Pony Express recruitment favored lean boys. Orphans were preferred. To carry mail between Sacramento and St Joseph MO, riders galloped like the wind. There was a chance of being killed en route. Despite the macho legend, annual reruns of the fabled ride now depend hugely on ladies. Staged by the Pony Express Association, the 2014 relay began last week. In early stages, most of the jockeys were female. “These days, association would not exist, Continue Reading