Nevada Discovery Rider arrives in Carson Valley on Saturday

Long-riders will arrive in Carson Valley from a couple of directions this week.

On Saturday, long rider Samantha Szesciorka, her horse Fremont, and dog Juniper will wrap up six weeks on the trail at the Stephanie Way Equestrian Staging Area.

The Nevada Discovery Ride Team climbed into the Pine Nuts on Friday for the final leg of their journey.

Szesciorka is scheduled to arrive sometime around 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday after riding 550 miles from Las Vegas. She left on May 1.

This is the third time she has ridden to encourage Nevadans to explore their public lands and promote wild horse adoption.

Residents are encouraged to come out and greet her arrival from the journey that has attracted nearly 3,500 followers from all over the world on social media and the website NevadaDiscoveryride.com

This is Szesciorka’s third ride across the state. In 2016 she rode 1,100 miles around the Nevada and in 2013 rode 500 miles across the state.

Those greeting the team this morning are encouraged to bring carrots for Fremont, who is an adopted wild horse, and dog treats for Juniper.

Szesciorka will answer questions and talk about her ride.

The Nevada Discovery Ride is sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Parks, Backcountry Horsemen of America – Bristlecone Chapter, Southern Nevada Conservancy, Tucker Trail Saddles, Easy Care Inc., and others. For more information, visit www.NevadaDiscoveryRide.com.

On Thursday, the Pony Express rides through Carson Valley after being canceled last year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Nevada Pony Express Association Sam DiMuzio said the Silver State will get the mochila at Woodfords Station around 1 p.m. She said they hope to arrive in Genoa by 3:30 p.m. and the St. Charles Hotel at 2^nd and Curry Street in Carson City by 6 p.m.

Several of Nevada’s mounts are former wild horses who were adopted by their riders.

The 2,000-mile ride crosses eight states from Sacramento to St. Jo, Mo., with around 750 riders, who go 24-hours a day over a rugged trail.