On Wednesday afternoon, around 50 or so people who gathered at South Curry and West 2nd streets got to witness the Pony Express Re-Ride.
The annual event, which commemorates the original Pony Express from 1860-61, this year included for the first time an additional rider carrying an American flag to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Anne Martins of Stagecoach said she’s been participating in the Re-Ride for 15 years.
“It’s fun to be part of living history,” she said. “I encourage anyone who wants to do it.”
NationalPonyExpress.org is the website.
Martins rode a golden palomino quarter horse two miles from Benson’s Feed and Tack, 2750 U.S. Highway 50 East, to the official exchange near Bub’s Bookstore in downtown Carson City.
Martins was accompanied by Jennifer Jones of Silver Springs, who carried the U.S. flag on a sorrel quarter horse.
Jones said she was the official courier for two miles in Dayton and then carried the flag for almost two miles.
Martins was relieved carrying U.S. mail – which originated in St. Joseph, Missouri – by Ute Simon of Reno.
Simon, riding a curly mustang, was headed 5.7 miles from downtown Carson City to “behind the Target store” south of town.
Amy Rasmussen, also of Reno, was Simon’s driver, but noted that she also planned to ride as a courier from Genoa to Old Kingsbury grade.
The courier was about 20 minutes behind schedule in Carson City, ultimately on their way to Sacramento, but the crowd was patiently waiting.
Rasmussen, who has been participating in the Re-Ride for 12 years, noted that couriers carry U.S. Mail and will reverse the route next year, going from Sacramento to St. Joseph.