Tall in the saddle, Pony Express rides through Genoa

The last time Dean Heller rode in the Pony Express it was 1996 and he was running for the House of Representatives. Now, Sen. Heller was sworn in on Friday and rode his horse, Jackson, from Mormon Station to old Kingsbury Grade as part of the 1,966-mile celebration of the Old West.

"The Pony Express is the most recognized aspect of the history of the Postal Service," he said. "It only lasted 18 months, but it's a big part of history. It's a real thrill to be part of it."

Heller and his wife Lynne took the oath together in front of a crowd gathered to watch the riders inside the stockade at Mormon Station State Park.

The Hellers live in Smith Valley, where they own four horses.

While officially they were doing two legs of the ride, the couple rode together, carrying the mochila containing letters purchased beforehand.

The Pony Express re-ride usually rides in early June, but was postponed by an outbreak of equine herpes virus.

The Pony Express left St. Joseph on Aug. 17 and was scheduled to arrive in Sacramento on Saturday. The route this year took riders over Kingsbury Grade and Stateline on their way over the Sierra.