Pony Express to ride again through Sidney

The days of the old west will flicker back to life for a moment when the Pony Express Re-ride gallops through Sidney on June 20.

Riders began their living history trek in St. Joseph, Mo., heading to Sacramento, Calif.--just as in the storied past. Volunteers on horseback will complete a 1,966 mile route, handing off their mochila as the relay progresses.

The mochila is a specially designed mail pouch with four compartments. It carries commemorative letters people can purchase along the way to support the project.

This year the riders will pass through Sidney around 4 a.m. on Thursday. One of the Sidney riders, Cindy Lojek, has participated in the re-ride for the past seven years. She takes part in the journey because of her love for horses—or, as she put it, “How you and the horse are united.”

Lojek will be riding is a Docbar and Sugarbar breed.

Being on the trail in darkness the pony Express rider must be prepared, particularly for modern day intrustions. Yet she points out nothing unusual ever happened during her rides for the Pony Express.

Doug Cape, director of the Chapell to Bridgeport portion of the ride, became involved since he grew up on the historic route.

“My folks owned a ranch five miles North of Dalton--Mud Springs,” he said, referring to the noted rest stop and telegraph station.

Cape has been associated with the Pony Express for 20 years and his brothers, Mark and Scott Cape, have participated in the re-ride for 15 years.

The Pony Express began mail service in 1860, delivering for just 18 months. The short-lived trail made communications between the East and West coast faster than any time prior. And the image of wiry young riders pounding across the plains left a lasting mark in history of the old west and the minds of Americans today.