Hashknife Pony Express Ride

Beginning in historic Holbrook, the horseback mail route covers over 200 miles from the majestic Mogollon Rim through Payson and the wilderness of the Mazatzal range to the desert city of Scottsdale where it kicks off the Scottsdale Jaycees’ Parada del Sol celebration. Come out and meet the riders at each event along the way and support a rich western tradition that links our communities with the past.

The original Pony Express used 90 riders and 500 horses. There were 119 relay stations along the way, with each rider covering 50 to 100 miles a day.

Working in teams of two, the riders relay the mail by handing off the canvas and leather bags from one rider to the next.

The hashknife was a tool originally used by chuckwagon cooks to cut meat for hash. The Hashknife brand originated in Texas as the identification for the Aztec Land and Cattle Company, which moved to Holbrook in 1886.

Later, in 1957, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse retained limited use of the brand, which now identifies the Pony Express, many of whose members are in the posse.

While the actual Pony Express lasted little more than a year, the Hashknife re-enactment is approaching the half century mark. It is one of the longest running Pony Express rides in the nation.

Every year the riders are officially sanctioned by the U.S. Postal Service to re-enact the ride, ending up carrying over 20,000 pieces of mail.