This year marks the 63rd ride on the Navajo County’s Posse Hashknife Pony Express. The 200-mile route usually takes place every February but has been postponed to April this year due to the pandemic.
The historical commemorative drive began in the late 1950s. Today the cowboys and cultural guardians ride their experienced horses on the shoulder of the autobahn. This year’s ride begins with an official swearing-in ceremony for drivers on Tuesday April 13th at the Holbrook Courthouse.
The actual hike from Holbrook to Scottsdale begins on Wednesday April 14th and lasts through Friday April 16th.
The Hashknife Pony Express drivers’ journey begins on Wednesday April 14th at 8am at the Holbrook Post Office. About 30 drivers take part, working as a coordinated team as they carry and drop the mail from section to section.
According to Ride Captain Mark Reynolds, there are also around 30 support crew members who organize, coordinate, and assist every aspect of the ride.
“We couldn’t do this year after year without their amazing talents,” said Reynolds.
“The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office provides security, medical assistance, and emergency dispatch. We also have a specialized mail crew, a cooking crew, and multiple vehicles that drive in front of and behind the drivers for added safety. We have people who open and close gates when the drivers get in and out. “
There are also two farriers riding in the Hashknife group. If a horse throws a shoe, it can be repaired on site.
“The group also has a truck and horse trailer that follow to transport any horse that has an injury – no matter how minor,” Reynolds said. “Several riders bring two or three horses so that they can get out if necessary.”
They trot and gallop the distance as safety dictates, covering every mile in 7 to 10 minutes.
Each driver walks a mile and then hands it over to the next driver. This method speeds up the journey and protects everyone from stress and overexertion, Reynolds said.
“Our horses are conditioned to ride and we make sure everyone stays fresh and alert,” Reynolds said.
“The journey itself takes place at a trot or at a leisurely gallop – it is not a complete run, as shown in some of the pictures. But the drivers are skilled and generally drop the mailbags at a full gallop, which requires practice. “
Schedule 2021The required swearing-in of drivers will take place on Tuesday April 13th at 12 noon in the Holbrook Old Courthouse.
The first leg of the trip will take place on Wednesday, April 14th, at 8 a.m. She leaves the post office in Holbrook and drives to the post office in Overgaard, where the drivers pick up the mailbags. Then they drive to the Heber Post and pick up more mail.
The drivers drive from Heber to the Creekside Steakhouse. This is also April 14th. Some will have lunch there while others will leave and go to the post office in Pine. They are expected to arrive around 1:30 p.m.
From the Post Office in Pine they drive to Payson and stop at the Stage retail store at around 4:30 p.m. From there she is escorted by the local police to the post office in Payson.
On Thursday April 15th, drivers will leave Payson at 9am for the post office in Fountain Hills. They are expected to arrive around 3 p.m.
You will camp overnight in the Verde River area of Fort McDowell in preparation for the final leg of the route on Friday April 16. You will leave the river area at 9am to deliver the mail to Scottsdale.
The drivers were due to arrive at the San Francisco Giants Stadium at noon on the corner of Osborne and Drinkwater in Scottsdale.
Send a letter through Pony Express
Special Hashknife mail kegs will be outside the post offices in Holbrook, Heber, Overgaard, Pine and Payson.
Goods, posters and mailers (if available) are sold at the following locations: Creekside Steakhouse, Payson Post, Pine Post.
Bob’s Western Wear in Payson also has Hashknife Pony Express memorabilia.
Support the Hashknife story
A life-size bronze statue of a mounted Hashknife Pony Express driver is being built in downtown Holbrook to commemorate Western history. The monument will cost $ 88,000 and is scheduled to be completed in two years. Donations of any amount, no matter how small, are welcome. To donate or reserve a paver, call Ophelia Lange at 928-814-2372 or Mildred Foutz at 928-241-0495.
Note: If you come to the swear in or one of the stops while driving, please practice social distancing and wear a mask to protect yourself and the drivers. This applies to all Hashknife Pony Express events.
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