Watch video of the Pony Express arrival to Historic Folsom on Instagram here.
The echoes of the Old West came alive in Historic Folsom Wednesday evening as the thunder of hooves and the clatter of horseshoes signaled the arrival of the National Pony Express Association’s Annual Re-Ride.
After a delayed departure from Sacramento earlier in the day, the rider and horse trotted into town just after 7:30 p.m., drawing cheers from a crowd gathered outside the Folsom History Museum. With a swift handoff, the rider delivered the mochila—a faithful replica of the leather mail pouch once carried across the frontier—bringing a piece of American history back to life on Sutter Street.
The ride had officially begun earlier in the day in Old Town Sacramento, where a public ceremony at Pony Express Plaza marked the official departure. Following speeches, costumed reenactors, and a tribute to the courage of the original 1860s riders, the first volunteer rider then galloped off., beginning a 1,966-mile journey to St. Joseph, Missouri.
By early evening, anticipation had grown in Folsom as bystanders gathered outside the Folsom History Museum, ready to see the arrival of the rider and the ceremonial exchange. When the rider galloped in and passed off the mochila on Sutter Street, applause broke out from the crowd. For a brief moment, the city was transported back in time, connecting to an era when bravery and horseback skill were essential to communication across the young nation.
To commemorate the occasion, the Folsom History Museum hosted several themed activities for visitors throughout the afternoon. Families and children enjoyed hands-on exhibits, Pony Express history lessons, and educational displays that explored the role the service played in the American frontier. Volunteers from the museum and the National Pony Express Association were on hand to answer questions and share stories about the famed riders who once blazed this same trail more than 160 years ago.
The Annual Re-Ride is a multi-state, 10-day relay organized by the National Pony Express Association, involving more than 600 riders who cover 1- to 5-mile segments around the clock. Just like their historical counterparts, modern riders take the original oath, receive a Bible, and transport commemorative letters in a handcrafted mochila with four cantinas—one in each corner—to carry the mail.
After the handoff in Folsom, the relay continued its eastbound journey with its next scheduled stop at the El Dorado “Y,” where another exchange took place around 9:53 p.m. From there, it progressed through the Sierra Nevada, including historic sites like Celio Ranch in South Lake Tahoe and Woodfords Station, where the California Division formally passed the mochila to the Nevada Division on Thursday.
The original Pony Express operated from April 1860 to October 1861, lasting only 18 months but leaving an outsized legacy in American history. The daring riders of the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company braved weather, terrain, and danger to carry messages across the country faster than ever before. The annual Re-Ride pays tribute to their determination, showcasing not only the endurance of those early messengers but also the dedication of volunteers today who keep the story alive.
“This event bridges generations and geography,” said Petra Keller, Corresponding Secretary of the National Pony Express Association. “We ride to honor those fearless messengers of the past and to keep their memory alive for future generations.”
Folsom, with its Gold Rush-era charm and deep ties to California’s frontier past, always proves to be an ideal backdrop for this powerful for the Re-Ride. For those who witnessed it Wednesday evening, it wasn’t just a glimpse into history—it was a celebration of the timeless determination and western heritage.
After the exchange in Historic Folsom, Wednesday’s ride continued into El Dorado Hills for another quick stop near Green Valley Road and Sophia Parkway. It then continued east, riding through downtown Placerville after nightfall, accompanied by a vehicle escort. The ride then continued through Pollock Pines and towards the Sierra.
The ride is set to enter Nevada on Thursday. By Sunday it reaches the Nevada-Utah border at Ibapah and continues on to Salt Lake City, Utah. The riders cross into Wyoming south of Evanston on Monday, June 16, carrying the mochila through the high plains.
On Wednesday, June 18, the journey reaches the Nebraska line at Lyman before crossing into Colorado at Chappell on Thursday, June 19, and again into Nebraska south of Big Springs. By Friday, June 20, the ride touches the Nebraska-Kansas border at the Tri-County Marker. It enters Missouri from Kansas at Elwood on Saturday, June 21, with its final destination being the historic Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri, where the eastbound journey comes to a ceremonial end. Those wanting to learn more about this historic re-ride and the organization can do so by visiting the official website of the National Pony Express.
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