Pony Express is a unique roller coaster and the first of its kind for a US theme park. Two custom designed trains will sport a theme that resembles a pack of horses. Passengers will board and straddle one of 16 horses that when ready will launch into action.

Italian manufacturer Zamperla has designed the Pony Express roller coaster to use a very reliable flywheel launch mechanism to propel the train from zero to 38 mph in less than three seconds.

Knott's Motezooma's Revenge roller coaster also uses a similar launch system.

Once mounted, the horse will launch into action and riders will experience an ascending banked turn that rises to height of over 44 feet. The Pony Express then continues on a terrain layout, racing through a series of 60-degree banked turns, camel backs and several more tight maneuvers.

In total the team of horses on the Pony Express will take riders on a 1,300-foot long adventure, passing Boot Hill and the Big Foot Rapid's water ride along the way.

In order to saddle up, Knott's says that passengers will have to be at least 48 inches tall.

The name for this attraction comes from the famous Pony Express, which promised faster mail service on the North American continent.

Construction is expected to begin immediately at Knott's to ready the roller coaster for it's late May debut. Pony Express will be part of park's legendary Ghost Town.