By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post
History came to life in front of the historic Patee House museum, the original home of the Pony Express, as the historic mail system rode again.
People from near and far celebrated and sent off three riders to kick off the Pony Express re-ride, recreating the historic journey made from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
The Re-Ride is held every year by the National Pony Express Association, which covers all eight states of the journey.
Penny Orrick has been taking part in the event for 23 years and says for her it started with her love for horses, but as she learned the history of the Pony Express.
"I've learned to value the history behind it a lot more, especially now that my kids are old enough to be able to do it with me, it's fun to be able to explain to them why we're doing it besides just to have fun on a horse," Orrick tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
The journey will consist of 10 days, just like in 1860. Orrick says if anything the journey is easier now than it was back in 1860.
"We have better routes, we have escorts, that kind of thing," Orrick explains. "I know a lot of the times when they make the deciding factor on when to do the reenactment it has to do with the moon, to make sure there's enough moonlight during the night ride that kind of thing."
Orrick says if anything the difficulty is it being a lost art with not as many people riding horses.
National Pony Express Association president Pam Dixon Simmons says it takes about 700 volunteers to get the event done
"It takes about 700 riders' horses to get across all eight states in the 10 days, and that's the goal, we want to do it in 10 days just like in 1860," Dixon Simmons says.
The riders making the journey can be tracked by visiting the National Pony Express Association website, which can be found by clicking HERE.