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Equine Herpes Virus pushes Pony Express Missouri-Nevada ride back two months

Linda Ann Nickerson's photo
Equestrian Examiner

Equestrians and horse owners of every stripe are concerned about the recent spread of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), particularly in the Western United States. In light of this horse health issue, the National Pony Express Association has postponed its annual multi-state ride.

The 2011 National Pony Express Association ride will begin on August 17th, rather than in June, as originally planned. This is the first time the group has had to reschedule in 32 years of the event.

“Due to the outbreak of the equine herpes virus the annual ride will now take place in August,” NPEA Nevada Division president Gary Nezos said in a written statement to the Nevada Appeal.  “It was decided to err on the side of caution in rescheduling this event.”

The Pony Express ride will leave St. Joseph, Missouri, on the morning of Wednesday, August 17th, with riders planning to arrive in Nevada by Friday, August 23rd. Tracing the historical Pony Express trail, the route takes participants through Missouri, Kansas, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California.

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The all-volunteer group, commemorating the original American Pony Express, will deliver several actual letters in the process.

The extremely contagious and possibly lethal viral infection has been seen in at least nine U.S. states in the past few weeks. Equine veterinarians have traced several cases to a National Cutting Horse Association horse show held in Utah in late April and early May. (Find more information in the hyperlink listed under "Related Items," below.)

Horse owners: Are you concerned that your horse may catch EHV-1? Check out “10 Ways to Minimize Your Horse's Risk of EHV-1 or Equine Herpes Virus.”

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The 2011 National Pony Express Association ride will begin on August 17th, rather than in June, as originally planned.
The 2011 National Pony Express Association ride will begin on August 17th, rather than in June, as originally planned.
Photo credit: 
Pony Express artwork by Frederic Remington - Public Domain - copyright expired

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Linda Ann Nickerson wears many hats, including those of a writer, editor, poet, photographer, journalist, equestrian, equine breeder and horse mom. A long-time horse lover, Linda Ann practices equine marketing and writing prolifically, particularly on horse-related topics. Linda Ann has several...

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