A Nebraska member of the Pony Express Re-Ride nears a change over spot south of Overton during the morning of Wednesday, June 19, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
POLLOCK PINES, CA — The Pony Express National Re-Ride, an annual tribute to the legendary mail service of 1860–61, begins on June 18 when the Wyoming Division hands off the mochila (the leather mail pouch) to the Nebraska Division at Lyman.
This reenactment, celebrating the daring young riders and historic trail, will carry the mail eastward through Nebraska, highlighting key heritage stops before handing off to the Kansas Division at the state line.
This year’s ride, running 24 hours a day in true Pony Express fashion, retraces the original 1,966-mile route from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, over a 10-day span.
Riders relay the mochila on horseback, carrying commemorative letters and honoring one of America’s most iconic mail delivery systems.
Thursday, June 19
- Chappell – Colorado – Big Springs – 33 miles 2:30 AM – 6:00 AM 3.5 Hrs. COLORADO Riders
- Big Springs to Paxton – 44 miles MDT: 6:00 AM – 10:45 AM 4.75 Hrs. Mary Cone
- TIME CHANGE! CDT: 7:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Paxton to North Platte – 35 miles 11:45 AM – 3:45 PM 3.5 Hrs. Angie Blagdon
- North Platte to Brady – 30 miles 3:45 PM – 6:45 PM 3 Hours Terry Grasz
- Brady to Cozad – 31 miles 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM 3.25 Hours Frank Pride
- Midway /96 Ranch south of Gothenburg 8:30 PM
- Cozad to Plum Creek (Overton) – 34 miles 10:00 PM – 1:45 AM 3.75 Hours Audie Taylor
Friday, June 20
- Plum Creek to Fort Kearny – 31 miles 1:45 AM — 4:45 AM 3 Hours Kaitie Hockett
- Fort Kearny to Susan Hail Grave – 23 miles 4:45 AM — 6:30 AM 2.25 Hours Jennifer Anderson
- Susan Hail Grave to Oregon Trail Marker – 32 miles 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM 3 Hours Nadean Wilkerson
- Oregon Trail Marker (Hwy 281) to Oak – 43 miles 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM 4.5 Hours John Greer
- Oak to Highway 53 – 32 miles 2:00 PM – 5:45 PM 3.75 Hours Richard Heinrichs
- 2 miles north of Hebron 4:15 PM
- Highway 53 to Kansas Line – 40 miles 5:45 PM – 10:00 PM 4.25 Hours Kevin Riggle
- Rock Creek Station 8:15 PM
