Riders are proud to re-create history
They adapt to new challenges on the Pony Express Trail
Today, they're watching out for crazy drivers, semis and potholes in the road. They're being tracked by GPS units and watched from above by satellite.
Nevertheless, it's still a thrill to ride horseback on the historic 1,966-mile stretch from San Francisco to St. Joseph, Mo., carrying a leather pouch full of letters.
"It's fun," said 18-year-old Adriaan Riet from Fairfield, as he dismounted from his 2-mile stretch in the western desert flat. "Although I had to dodge a couple of bushes back there."
In his red shirt, bright yellow scarf and cowboy hat, Riet looks every inch the pony express rider of old (except for the braces on his teeth) and he says he would have been one if he'd been born a few years earlier.
Riet loves the re-ride and has been participating since he was 14. Sunday, he rode under blue skies, hot sun and in 80-degree weather, but he's ridden in snow and rain.
"One time, I had to ride downhill on I-80 when it was raining hard!" he said.
The modern-day riders worry about rain because the horses can slip on slick pavement. They also worry about today's drivers and new riders who may not be prepared for a horse to startle at a backfire or loud engine.
"Idiots and cars, that's our biggest concern," said Eric Arnesen of West Valley. Arnesen, his daughter and son-in-law, Kyle and Racheal Arnesen from Lindon and his grandson, Jeremy B. Arnesen, are all riding in the 148th annual re-ride.
"Potholes? There were some beauties this morning on my ride from Simpson Springs," Arnesen said.
It takes more than 500 riders and horses to recreate the ride, which was run for 19 months from April 1860 to November 1861 by boys and men who were willing to take risks working for the Central Overland and California Pikes Peak Express Company for $24 a week.
Want ads at the time called for "young, skinny guys not over 18. Experienced riders. Orphans preferred."
The goal was to prove that the route through Salt Lake City was passable year round and it was, though it was dangerous and difficult as well. Despite the hazards, the 182 young riders some as young as 15-year-old William F. (Buffalo Bill) Cody logged 650,000 miles carrying more than 34,000 pieces of mail in the short time the freight company stayed in business.
Today's horsemen (and women) running the trail reported high speeds, successful transfers of the "mochilla" and on-time stops on the Internet.
Comments
- CEU biz team excels at convention 3:35 p.m.
- Shelter works to save pit bulls 3:34 p.m.
- Cashing checks costly for woman 3:33 p.m.
- Blood thinner Effient cleared 3:27 p.m.
- WGU grads are largest-ever class 3:26 p.m.
- Dems: tax the rich for health care 3:24 p.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 3:06 p.m.
- Hill Cumorah Pageant 3:04 p.m.
- 2 Tooele police officers fired 2:52 p.m.
- Baseball teams fear 'haunted' hotel 2:51 p.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
140 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
137 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
132 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
88 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - LDS seminary principal arrested
74 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I blame the girl. Seriously, she is called the "victim" like he was...
To Anonymous, This article has nothing to do with government run health...
Being able write comment posts to a newspaper story, does NOT make you an...
Police have solid evidence as was already reported in this article about...
I didn't ask you for a plan. My point is you don't think we are affecting...
To "Anonymous | 2:20 p.m." they have been the majority since 2006. If they...
RedShirt is usually good for a laugh. It's just that he posts the same...
The church is perfect - the members aren't. This guy made a big mistake...
After reading this I can't say I know the entire story, and I can't say I...
Regardless of what he did.... (if the article is all true) he saved many,...



You can be the first to comment on this story.