Their mission statement sounds simple enough: Carry the U.S. Mail four hundred miles once a year. The actual task, however, is on horseback, day and night, galloping at full tilt in five to ten mile stretches, sometimes more if another rider isn’t available. It’s all part of a grand tradition they call riding for The Pony.
They are the members of the National Pony Express Association, Nevada Division. As secretary Jim Hillman puts it, “we ride out of respect for the courage of those pony express riders of 1860.”
In those days, the mail would only be delivered as far west as St. Joseph, MO. Three entrepreneurs put together the original Pony Express to win the million-dollar contract offered by the government to deliver the mail from St. Joseph to Sacramento, CA.
In Nevada, it was the height of the Paiute Wars. A pony rider would finish a stretch from one station to the next, only to find the station burning and the station master and relief rider dead. So he’d find a fresh horse and ride the next leg of the journey.
The Pony Express only lasted fourteen months before telegraph lines took away its business. In that timespan, though, hundreds of sturdy, young men … and probably a few women … rode thousands of miles through inclement weather, harsh terrain, and hostile Indian territories.
Because of the dangers involved, orphans were encouraged to fill the ranks of Pony riders. Things haven’t changed much. This year’s ride had its share of obstacles, but the U.S. Mail arrived in Sacramento on time on August 27.
According to Hillman, this year’s ride was postponed because of the Equine Herpes One virus. That placed The Pony during the new moon, making it extremely difficult and dangerous for those riding at night, as Hillman did.
One rider became hopelessly lost, causing a four-hour delay in this relay race. To make up time, the local sheriff in Eureka took the mochilla, a specially-designed saddlebag that can be quickly transferred from horse to horse, and drove it to Austin, NV.
Pony riders took the mochilla onward from there. Sadly, all the riders waiting between Eureka and Austin lost their turns to participate. Many of them had to make special vacation arrangements just to ride The Pony.
Hillman rode his eight-mile stretch in pitch darkness, but he got an unusual assist from a HAM radio operator volunteering to help with communications. The HAM followed closely behind Hillman’s horse with his lights on, penetrating the darkness so Hillman could gallop in traditional form.
The HAM was a member of SIERA (Sierra Intermountain Emergency Radio Association.) SIERA joined the NPEA Nevada Division for a potluck gathering shortly after The Pony’s finish to thank the HAMs for their help and to share trail stories.
Despite the lost rider and a few other mishaps, there were no major injuries along the trail. While the eastern portions of The Pony Express Trail go through populated areas, the 400-mile Nevada portion takes riders into extremely remote countryside.
That’s where HAMs provide needed communication assistance to keep riders safe and emergency response timely.
It’s easy to get lost in America’s Outback. One group of Pony riders staying at the Roberts Creek Ranch Pony Station near Eureka found their GPS’s didn’t work very well. They also discovered a group of bikers from New Zealand who had the same problem.
The bikers had lost the Trans-America Trail, which leads motorcyclists from Orford, OR to Jellico, TN. Somehow, they picked up the Pony Express Trail and met the riders staying at Roberts Creek Ranch.
The Pony honors the tradition of courage and enterprise in America. According to its riders, many of whom are advanced in years, it’s also a lot of fun and adventure.
In fact, it’s so much fun, one rider from Germany has participated for 28 years and has started a similar event going from Germany to Czechoslavakia.
While the Pony Express itself lasted only a short time, equestrians across the country still keep history and tradition alive by riding for The Pony.
http://nevadaponyexpress.org/
http://www.cvhams.com/
http://www.xphomestation.com/nvsta-robertscreek.html
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/310/917/Motorcycle-Article/Riding-The-Trans-America-Trail.aspx