Pony Express
2025 2nd Annual RnB PONY EXPRESS RIDE
Please check back in the fall for 2025 updates
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The event will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
The ride will start that Saturday at 12 noon at Ruggles & Main in front of McFarland State Historic Park and the Florence Post Office in Florence, AZ.
Video of the 2024 Inaugural Roots N’ Boots Pony Express Ride
Please note: There are no designated spectator areas along the route. Watching is at the individual’s own risk. The riders will generally be moving at a quick pace, so it is important to not hinder the rider’s progress along the route.
Riders Wanted!
Be apart of the 2nd Annual Roots N’ Boots Pony Express Ride!
TO: ALL INTERESTED US CITIZENS OVER THE AGE OF 18 WITH ACCESS TO AN EQUINE AND THE ABILITY TO RIDE SAID ANIMAL
FOR: THE 2nd ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE ROOTS N’ BOOTS QUEEN CREEK PONY EXPRESS
We would like to extend an open invitation to those interested in participating in the Second Annual Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek Pony Express Mail Ride. The event will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
The ride will start that Saturday at 12 noon in Historic Old Town Florence.
The route will take the riders along Hunt Highway, Felix Road, Arizona Farms Road, Cooper Road, Bella Vista Road, Gantzel Road, Skyline Road, Empire Road, Hawes Rd, San Tan Boulevard, Sossaman Road, Power Road and Riggs Road (via the Sonoqui Wash trail) to Horseshoe Park. Leg assignments are approximately one mile in length with none over 2 miles long.
In the weeks prior to the ride, there will be an informal dinner where the riders will be sworn in as official Postal Carriers. The mail to be carried will be postcards written by the general public to be distributed by the USPS.
The fee for returning riders in this event is $150.00 per rider. For new riders, the fee will be $200.00 per rider. That fee will be used to purchase your official uniform shirt (which will be in the buttoned Western style, complete with the Roots ‘n’ Boots Queen Creek logo and your badge as a postal carrier), and to pay for the swearing-in dinner.
Riding in this event is at your own risk and you will be required to sign a standard Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek equine activity waiver. Accompanying riders are welcome to join in, however, they may not carry the mail if they are not paid participants and officially sworn in. Accompanying riders will be required to file a waiver as well.
Riders are solely responsible for the transportation of their mounts and themselves to and from their handoff stations. Riders are expected to be on time, in the saddle and in position before their handoff. Riders are not required to gallop their entire leg but are expected to maintain a sense of urgency as that is the definition of the word “express.” A seven-minute mile is the average we look to maintain. However, the health and well-being of your mount is of the utmost importance.
Riders willing to participate will need to email a completed application form to Phil Fedor at philfedor71@gmail.com and pay the entry fee at RootsNBoots.org/Attractions/PonyExpress. Registration for riders closes on December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm. NO EXCEPTIONS.
