Have you ever wanted to be a Pony Express rider? Have you ever dreamed of riding a wild pony across the Old West, with the wind blowing your “neckerchief” straight out behind you? Just you and your horse, breathing the fresh western air, as you settle into your saddle, in synchronous motion with the rhythmic strides of the horse beneath you.
Contrary to what you might think, it's quite possible to actually experience the exhilaration of the ride, even in the twenty-first century! All you have to do is apply for membership in the National Pony Express Association, bring your own horse, and comply with the rules, which I'll describe below.
I started riding with a local chapter of the Pony Express in 1992, the second year they allowed women to join. Purists may have a problem with that, as there were never any females hired to deliver mail during the existence of the original company in 1860 -1861, when they required
their riders to be strong young men of small build, and preferably
orphans - just in case they got punctured by arrows along the trail (although that never happened). It was truly a Wild West adventure in those days, though. And while they would never have hired a woman rider, it's unlikely any women applied for the job anyway. There is no record of it. Indeed, records are sparse and often inconclusive as to who some of the riders were. Much of that history has come down by word of mouth in the families of some of the riders.
However, in order to get the Pony Express Trail designated as an official historic trail at the federal level, women could not be denied membership. Since then, many women riders have joined and are enjoying the thrill of the ride along with the men.
Every year, in June, the association sponsors the "re-ride," a re-enactment of the Pony Express, carrying mail between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California, and follows the actual trail used for the original mail delivery in the 19th century, moving through
eight states. The direction of today’s ride alternates every year, beginning in Missouri on odd years, and leaves from California on the even years. Thus, the re-ride is scheduled to start at St. Joseph, Missouri in 2007 in mid-June, and is expected to end at Sacramento, Calif. ten days later.
Despite severe weather, an occasional accident, someone getting lost, or an illness, the mail has never been late. There have even been a few deaths along the trail over the years since the official re-rides began with annual regularity in 1990, but those were all health-related.
Several riders succumbed in the saddle to heart attacks, for example. Clearly, the rules have changed since 1860, when riders were required to be boys and young men of "wiry build and strong constitutions." Now, many riders are retired ranchers, farmers and even businessmen and women
from the big city. And some of us are overweight and out of shape!
The mail moves continuously during the 10 days of the modern event, contained in a mail pouch called a "mochila," Spanish for knapsack, although it looks very little like one. It is made of leather, drapes over the saddle, and has four separate, locking square pouches to hold the many letters that are sent every year. (If you want to mail a
letter by Pony Express, I'll tell you how to do that below, too.)
Each rider must join the national organization as well as a state chapter of the NPEA to be allowed to ride. You are then given a schedule for your area and are assigned to a "trail captain," who tells you which segment of a relay you may ride. It is usually two miles. It can be less, or occasionally more, depending on how many riders show up. Some years I've been able to ride six miles, but once I only got to do one mile.
The rules are as follows:
Riders must abide by the Pony Express Oath. (You can find a copy at www.ponyexpresspage.com/oath.html.) Riders must be able to mount and dismount their horses. Minimum age is 14, with parental consent.
Everyone must be ready to ride at least 30 minutes prior to one’s assigned time and spot. Riders must wear appropriate attire. The uniform consists of a long-sleeve red shirt, yellow kerchief, brown vest, blue jeans, boots and dark hat. Horses must be in good condition and able to canter for at least two miles. Their hooves must be trimmed or shod suitable for the terrain. All tack must be in safe condition (no broken or worn out parts, such as reins, cinches, bridles, stirrups, etc.).
And if you want to mail a letter, applications and payment have to be sent in early, usually in March or April. Each commemorative letter costs $5, the same as a letter in 1860! Just send a request for an application to the NPEA, the earlier in the year the better, at P.O. Box 236, Pollock Pines, CA 95726.
Another activity that interests many people is keeping track of the re-ride every year. You can monitor the riders online at www.xphomestation.com or find out if they are coming through your area so you can park by the road and watch the horse and rider move through.
You also may contact local riding and saddle clubs to find out if there are any unofficial Pony Express events in your area. It’s a good way to break into the national event.
Good luck and I hope see you on the trail!
