PONY EXPRESS HISTORY PONY EXPRESS THE MOCHILA NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL PONY The Pony Express was a private mail The telegrams and letters transported by the Pony Express were carried in a service which operated between St. Contributions of the Pony Express in the mochila. This leather blanket-type device Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, development of communications in the was designed to fit securely over a EXPRESS California. Begun on April 3, 1860 it west are commemorated by the Pony McClellan saddle, and be easily removed operated for 18 months until the Express National Historic Trail. and placed on a fresh horse at the Relay connection of the transcontinental Stations. The letters were wrapped in a telegraph on October 24, 1861. Legislation authorizing the addition of the protective covering and carried in one of Trail to the National Trails System was four cantinas (pockets) sewn in each The Central Overland California & Pikes signed by President George W. Bush on corner. The NPEA uses a mochila designed Peak Express Company provided a 10 day August 3, 1992. It is administered by the to carry a greater number of letters and to delivery between the terminal points. Department of Interior/ National Park fit over a western saddle, yet can easily be Forty riders in the saddle in each direction, Service. The PENHT is a route rather than transferred to a fresh horse and rider at 190 stations and 400 station keepers kept a continuous trail. It can be followed by mochila exchange points during the Re- the operation working smoothly. Riders horse, foot or auto for most of its length. ride. were paid $25 a week, and rode 10-15 Large expanses of the territory through miles before changing horses, 75 miles which it crosses are still very scenic and A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION before being relieved. many museums and historical sites offer TO interpretation and preservation. RE-ESTABLISH, IDENTIFY Started by the Missouri freighting firm of Through its Re-ride, publications, resource & RE-RIDE Russell, Majors and Waddell, it was a guides, speakers bureaus, work parties and THE dramatic attempt to capture a federal mail commemorative events on the trail, it PONY EXPRESS NATIONAL contract. Although it was not successful, it seeks to give the horseman, historian and HISTORIC TRAIL proved the Central Route as an all-weather general public a sense of excitement, transportation route. It is remembered as danger and accomplishments of the Post Office Box 236 one of the enduring symbols of the unique historic mail service on this trail. Pollock Pines, CA 95726 American Frontier.

www.nationalponyexpress.org The Pony Riders are gone now but they are remembered for their daring and courage. https://www.facebook.com/expressrider/ Their exploits are retold even today in books, videos and recreations like the [email protected] NPEA’s Annual Re-Ride.

THE RIDER COMMEMORATIVE LETTERS HOW TO JOIN NPEA OATH

A lone rider gallops across various landscapes Commemorative letters are a cachet Membership is open to all as either a Rider or In keeping with tradition, all Riders are such as desert, sagebrush or prairie grass. The comprised of a special designed envelope and Associate Member. Riders must be required to take an Oath of Conduct very sound of approaching hoof beats is heard from an enclosed vignette. The vignette highlights experienced equestrians, at least 18 years of similar to the one required by Russell, Majors afar. Another rider and horse awaits in the an historical events, site or person of the Pony age (14 with parental permission and and Waddell of their own Pony Express Riders. shade of a tree. The incoming rider reins in Express. supervision), and be willing to abide by the Each rider is sworn prior to the Annual Re-ride and greetings are exchanged. Dismounting, Each envelope is hand-stamped with a special Pony Express Oath and Rider Requirements. and is presented with a small Bible as were the the incoming rider lifts a leather mochila from US Post Office cancellation. They are the riders of history. We are proud to be keeping the saddle. It is placed on the fresh mount and official souvenir of the Annual Pony Express You can become a member of one of our eight the history alive! a new rider steps into the stirrup, swings into Re-ride. Divisions. Membership dues include national the saddle and begins a ride over the horizon The Letters are sold in advance for $5.00 each, dues plus state dues which vary. and back into history. like the mail of 1860. They are carried by I, horseback the entire route in one of the four For an application visit our website at cantinas on the leather mochila. www.nationalponyexpress.org. ______

PONY EXPRESS RE-RIDE do hereby swear, before the

THE NPEA great and living God, that Each June, members of the National Pony BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP during my engagement as a member of the Express Association recreate the Pony Express National Pony Express Association Re-ride in a Commemorative Re-ride over a ten day The National Pony Express Association is a  Opportunity to ride during our Annual I will under no circumstances period. Letters are carried in a mochila over non-profit, all volunteer organization founded Re-ride use profane language, that I will the original trail. in 1977 to “Re-establish, Identify and Re-ride  Ride Pin drink no intoxicating liquors, that the “Pony Express National Historic Trail.”  Subscription to annual Pony Express I will not quarrel or fight with any The approximately 2,000 mile, eight state National Headquarters is located in Pollock Gazette other member of the event is conducted 24 hours a day until the Pines, California. An Annual Board of Directors  Subscription to the National Association, and that in every mail is delivered to its destination. More than Meeting is held in September in a city along Newsletter respect, I will conduct myself a national event, it is an opportunity for a new the trail.  Learn about the Pony Express honestly, be faithful to my duties generation to ride the Pony Trail or to receive The organization is governed by written by-  Learn about the Pony Express National and so direct all my acts as to win Express Mail carried by Pony. laws and incorporated in the State of Historic Trail the confidence of my associates. California. A National President is elected  Special Edition New Testament Bible Over 750 riders participate. They come from annually at the National Meeting. (Riders) So help me God. all walks of life, but are all members of NPEA The Association is composed of State Division  Subscription to State Newsletters (if Divisions in the eight states that the trail members of the eight states along the trail: published) crosses. We invite you to join us in this exciting Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado,  Trail Rides, Local Events Parades and XP event. Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Souvenirs Rev.: July 2017