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Take part in this unique re-enactment of the historic Pony Express. All riders, ages 12 and up, are invited to carry the mail bag a distance of one mile on horse back.
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, November 9th at the Gilbert Post Office on Elliot at 9:00am. The ceremony will be attended by the Gilbert Days Rodeo Royalty, the Postmaster and the Mayor of Gilbert.
The ride will begin, Saturday, November 10th at 7:00am at JB’s restaurant in Casa Grande. The riders will carry the mail through Eloy and Coolidge, ending in Florence. All the riders are invited to join the Rodeo Royalty in a parade down Main Street for a final presentation of the mail bag to the Mayor. Texas Roadhouse is proud to sponsor a delicious picnic for all the riders and their family and friends. Questions? Email Warner Weber or Ilene Fisher.
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In 1860 communications between the East and West took months. Filling the need for speedier correspondence, the Pony Express was born. It was assembled within a two month period and this was quite a logistical achievement. The Pony Express at that time hired 80 riders, purchased 500 horses and set up and manned 190 stations along the route. The Pony, as it was affectionately called, carried letters two thousand miles in about ten days. The Pony only lasted 18 months and galloped into the sunset when the telegraph went in.
The Gilbert Days Pony Express re-enactment ride was revived in 1990 after a few years' hiatus so members and friends of the Gilbert Promotional Corporation could have a little fun after all the preparations for Gilbert Days and before all the hard work of Gilbert Days actually began the next weekend. This ride is a chance for riders from all over the region to relive history and experience the camaraderie of fellow horse people.
So come gallop along with the 2007 Gilbert Days Pony Express!!
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