For the past 46 years, The Pony Express Riders of Iowa have been riding to Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines on Easter Weekend to turn in money they have raised holding all sorts of fundraisers throughout the year. Jan Sieren, with the Pony Express, tells KNIA KRLS News that the SE Region had two rides which passed through Knoxville, staying the night in town and holding a dance and Silent Auction on Friday evening at The Fox, before heading out of town on Saturday morning. The local group turned in over $8,500 which helped to bring the statewide total to $259,783, which exceeded the goal of $230,000. Sieren says to date the Pony Express Riders of Iowa have raised over $9.3 million for Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside. Pony Express members had been selling raffle tickets over the past 6 months on a John Deere XUV Gator and the winner was drawn Saturday evening at the groups Victory Dance and that went to Todd Kilzer of Madrid. The local group is already starting on their fundraising for next year, holding their annual Horse Show and Queen Contest at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville on Sunday, April 27th.