Comanchero Pony Express History

The United States Postal Service sanctioned the original 1976 ride from the territorial capital, Prescott to the current capital, Phoenix. That ride consisted of 20 riders. By the time they traversed the freezing sleet and deep snows of the Bradshaw Mountains, and forded the cascading waters in the normally dry desert washes from the melting snow, they were weathered and spent. These weary proud men delivered on time and on horseback the mail at the first performance of the 1976 Rodeo of Rodeos. This ride would not happen again for the Phoenix Jaycees Comancheros until 1990 and has since become an annual fundraising event. In 1998 Phoenix Jaycees Rodeo of Rodeos bit the dust and in 1999 the Pony Express Ride changed directions and seasons. It currently runs from Phoenix to Prescott Arizona. By riding from Phoenix to Prescott the ride now coincides with what is slated to be the home of the World's Oldest Rodeo - Prescott Frontier Days and the famed 4^th of July celebration. Instead of sleet, snow and ice, the riders are subjected to the sweltering summer heat, upward to 120° on the desert floor, the unpredictable and sometimes welcome monsoons, and the threat of forest fires. These men are all prepared to ride like no tomorrow, they will be hunkered down in their saddles, prepared to spur their steeds into action at the thundering sound of an oncoming relay rider. They will have pulled the stampede strings tight to hold on to their hats, for they know all too well there is a fine for a lost hat, along with the ridicule from the other riders as their mishap circulates. Many of the riders are on the trail alone, they may have had to spend a few extra hours in the blistering sun or those lucky few in the upper legs who find shade amongst the tall dry pines, just waiting for the mails arrival. This is the time that they can transcend themselves back in time, to the old west, take in the beauty and isolation around them, hearing the breeze rustle past the vegetation that might dot the trail on their stretch. They must be watchful for wild animals; a slithering rattler has been sighted on occasion, as well as wild turkeys, coyotes, a brown, bear, javelinas, and a very territorial bull! If they hear the roar of an automobile, they will be prepared to take a dusting by the poor fool who has just pasted them, not having a clue or care why this lone rider is standing or sitting along side this route. If an afternoon downpour erupts they have no place to hide, they could become soaked to the bone in a matter of minutes as well as their prized leather saddle. To date nothing has prevented these die-hearted riders from getting the mail from start to finish, as is described in the motto of the Postal Service.

The current ride consists of about 65 legs. A leg is the distance each horseback rider rides, carrying the mailbags, and the distance varies between 1 and 3 miles. The route each year changes, thus changing the number of legs.

We constantly have to find new routes to get around all the modernization that is occurring throughout the communities between Phoenix and Prescott. In order to participate each rider must have a sponsor, some riders are extremely competitive and have boasting rights to 10 or more. The rider is also asked to promote the sale of our letters. Sponsors are sought after for donations to offset food, printing, advertising and gas. The expenses for a project of this magnitude have sharply increased over the years, but the Comancheros still handle all the groundwork through a well-selected committee guided by a voted "Trail Boss". A Trail Boss for this ride is voted into this position before the ink on the paperwork of the previous ride is dry. It takes every bit of the next eleven months to complete the preparations and put this ride into working order.

The current ride cannot boast of having any orphans, but we do have a couple of widowers. The youngest rider is in his late teens and the oldest is fast approaching 85, all are duly sworn by the United States Postal Service. Most weigh in well over 150, and that is being generous! There may be one of the young ones that can brag he doesn’t weigh an ounce over the 125 pounds! They come from all walks of life, CEO's, truckers, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, real estate agents, ranchers, prison guards, and the self employed or retired. Most are husbands, fathers, and grandpas. There are a few unattached ones, that can hardly wait to spread that tidbit of info when he meets one of those pretty young gals, who struts around the rodeos. Only to hear, you are a what? They all own their own horses and provide their own tack and feed. They receive no pay. They wear uniformed white shirts, embroidered with the Postal Pony Express Logo, most wear the years of their participation proudly on their sleeves, and placards advertising their sponsors on their backs, or draped over their horses. The excitement and pride the men feel in the 6 to 30 minutes it takes to complete a leg is evident when they enter into the Prescott Rodeo arena for the final pass-off of the mailbags by the Trail Boss to the Prescott Postmaster. Their dedication is undeniable. The rewards come from the children, their smiles, laughter and tears, which in the end are the true recipients.