Pony Express Riders carry on tradition for disabled children, adults

A 51-year tradition continued over Easter weekend as the Pony Express Riders of Iowa jumped on their horses in all corners of the state to make their annual trek to Des Moines in an effort to raise money and awareness for Iowa Easter Seals and children and adults with disabilities.

The Pony Express Rider’s annual Good Friday / Easter weekend horseback  relay helps raise money for Easter Seals’ Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines. Regional rides began on Good Friday at various points throughout the state, including Glenwood, and converged in Des Moines the following afternoon for a parade into Camp Sunnyside and an evening victory dance.

Camp Sunnyside provides children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills during the summer months while enjoying outdoor activities like horseback riding, boating and camping. Additionally, Camp Sunnyside loans wheelchairs and durable medical equipment to families who can’t afford to buy their own, along with respite services to disabled individuals and their caregivers.

In southwest Iowa, the relay on horseback took place on U.S. Highway 34, passing through several communities en route to Des Moines, including Red Oak, Corning and Creston.

Since the first relay on horseback in 1967, the Pony Express Riders have raised more than $10.5 million for Camp Sunnyside.