Traditions often serve as a tribute to significant events, honoring the past and how those moments shaped us today. While their sentiment and value are undeniable, traditions can evolve over time. This is particularly evident in annual holidays, which have gradually shifted from their original meaning to become more commercialized. This is a familiar example, but let’s turn to something closer to home: Holbrook’s annual Pony Express ride.
Sixty-seven years ago, this ride began as a creative and meaningful gesture: men on horseback relaying an invitation to the governor to attend a rodeo at the Navajo County Fairgrounds. These weren’t just riders; they were respected community members who also served in search and rescue efforts with the sheriff’s office. But at its core, the Pony Express ride wasn’t about the riders—it was about Holbrook.
Over the years, however, the tradition changed. It was handed over to a private non-profit organization that prioritized its own interests over serving the community. Donations poured in, merchandise was sold and cities paid thousands to promote the ride from Holbrook to Scottsdale, celebrating Arizona’s Old West roots. Yet much of the goodwill and funding seemed to vanish before reaching the community. Many riders were not ssociated with Holbrook, the organization was no longer tied to the sheriff’s office, and the event drifted far from its original purpose, becoming a commercialized cliché. Holbrook did receive a statue, but that effort came from the dedication of two women outside the organization—ironic, given that the organization doesn’t allow women as members.
This is why I am especially grateful to Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse for steering this tradition back to its roots. It’s rare to see something that has strayed so far from its original intent restored to its rightful purpose: serving the community and reflecting its history. Holbrook deserves to stand proudly as a representation of Arizona’s Old West heritage, and I believe this week’s ride—and those participating in it—will truly honor that legacy.
