Photo by Toni GibbonsNelda Brinkerhoff (left) sits next to Pony Express Rider Scott Self (right) as she shares how her late husband, Grant Brinkerhoff and her father, Harvey Randall, were charter riders in the very first Hashknife Pony Express ride in 1958.
Photo by Toni GibbonsNelda Brinkerhoff (left) sits next to Pony Express Rider Scott Self (right) as she shares how her late husband, Grant Brinkerhoff and her father, Harvey Randall, were charter riders in the very first Hashknife Pony Express ride in 1958.
The ladies of the Holbrook Senior Center were honored with a framed poster and much thanks for the send-off breakfast they cook every year. Pictured (left to right) are Pony Express Rider Tim Kelley, Senior Center Director Carla Gabaldon, cook Freddee Brown and First Lieutenant Steve Reynolds.

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Amid smiles and applause, Holbrook Councilman Adam Marsh (center) was called upon to accept the framed poster for the City of Holbrook. On the left is Pony Express Rider Tim Kelley and on the right is First Lieutenant Steve Reynolds.

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After reading the proclamation that was adopted by the cities of Holbrook, Payson and Scottsdale, Captain Mark Reynolds (center) and First Sergeant Pat Nichols (right) presented Holbrook Mayor Phil Cobb (left) with a framed copy of the proclamation.

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Pony Express Rider Timothy Lesperance of Snowflake (right) presents a beautifully decorated skull to Captain Mark Reynolds (left) in honor of the Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse and the Hashknife Pony Express Ride.

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First Sergeant Pat Nichols (left) presents a $100 check to the girls of Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico in Holbrook for their help in serving the dinner.

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The 61st Hashknife Pony Express Ride send-off dinner was served to a full house at the Holbrook Elks Lodge on Feb. 5.

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Steaming plates of food filled with pulled pork topped with barbeque sauce, baked beans, apple slaw and rolls were served by the girls of Desierto de Colores Ballet Folklorico in Holbrook. After dinner a cake buffet was opened while awards and recognitions were given.

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The Boy Scouts from Holbrook, Troops 7056, 7156 and 7256, led by Brayden Taylor, a life scout who is working to become an Eagle Scout this year, presented the flags and conducted the pledge.

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Gift certificates from Tom and Suzie’s Diner and Romo’s Café as well as a pair of earrings from Nakai Indian Art were auctioned off in true auctioneer style by Jeff Gravely, a Pony Express rider from Apache Junction, to raise money for the ride.

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Captain Mark Reynolds took a moment to honor Nelda Brinkerhoff of Holbrook who was at the dinner, as her father, Harvey Randall, and her late husband, Grant Brinkerhoff, were charter members of the first Hashknife Pony Express ride in 1958. Every year Nelda handwrites at least 50 letters to family and friends that she sends out through the Pony Express.

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A number of framed and unframed posters were handed out to various groups in thanks for their support including the Holbrook Post Office, the City of Holbrook, the Holbrook Senior Center, the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

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Timothy Lesperance, a Pony Express rider from Snowflake, donated a decorated skull from one of his bulls to the Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse.

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The Top Hand Award this year went to Second Lieutenant Jim Mobley. Reynolds said that without Mobley’s help this whole thing would be tough to put on. In his acceptance speech, Mobley simply shared an old Will Roger’s quote saying, “The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse.”

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