CASPER, Wyo. — The Pony Express Re-Ride made great time across the Cowboy State. Riders were about three hours ahead of schedule when passing through Torrington on Wednesday morning.
“The Pony picked up lots of steam through Wyoming and is running 2.5 hours ahead of schedule,” the National Pony Express Association said at around 11:45 Wednesday. “As you veteran riders know, this can change over time as the ride progresses, but we wanted you all to be aware of this and make sure you are in contact with your trail captain as to any time changes that will affect you.”
As of 11:43 a.m. MDT Wednesday, the Pony Express Re-Ride map showed riders were about one stop away from the Wyoming–Nebraska border. (Oil City just learned about the interactive map on Wednesday.) The first major stop in Nebraska is the village of Lyman. Riders are expected to pass Scotts Bluff National Monument, Chimney Rock and Bridgeport on Wednesday before continuing further east into Nebraska through Thursday and Friday.
The Re-Ride departed from Old Sacramento, California at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16. It is expected to reach the final stop in St. Joseph, Missouri at around 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 26.
The Re-Ride entered Wyoming on Monday morning and riders raced across the Cowboy State over the next few days. In the Casper area, riders made changes at Fort Caspar and the National Historic Trails Center before heading out toward Glenrock on Tuesday evening.
People who didn’t catch the riders while they were in Casper can check out this photo gallery that Oil City photographer Dan Cepeda captured on Tuesday evening. People might also consider visiting the Trails Center, which is hosting its first annual artist in residence.
Laura McElfresh’s artist work centers around the Pony Express, and she’ll be at the Trails Center through June 26.
