Board game:The Game of Pony Express

Containing a rich history dating back to ancient times, board games delight children and adults alike with their playful nature. Though these games come in a wide variety of topics and themes, many games connect with the culture of their times. Wealth accumulation games reflect the growth of a consumer society, war games re-create familiar battles, and educational games prepare children for school and work. Popular television shows, films, books and other entertainment media also find their way into board games, allowing players to actively participate in their favorite fictional worlds.

This board game is based on the historical Pony Express, a mail service in use from 1860 to 1861, which ran from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. The most direct means of cross-country communication before the telegraph, the Pony Express consisted of horseback riders who traveled from station to station, picking up fresh horses along the way, who carried letters in special pouches called "mochila." Riders took their jobs seriously, being told that both they and their horse should perish before giving up their mochila. In this game, players take on the roles of rival Pony Express owners who try to run one another out of business.