White Mountain Sheriff's Posse to stage annual Pony Express reverse ride and barbecue fundraiser in Pinetop Lakeside

The White Mountain Sheriff's Posse will stage its annual Pony Express-style reverse ride that will finish at the Lakeside post office and conclude with a community barbecue fundraiser, a Posse member said during a Talk of the Town segment hosted in Pinetop Lakeside.

Richard Bilwe, identified in the transcript as representing the White Mountain Sheriff's Posse, said the ride is primarily an equipment and readiness check for the mounted search-and-rescue unit that works for Navajo County Sheriff David Klaus. "This is our 50 third and, it's something that was originated to check all of our equipment," Bilwe said, describing the event's purpose.

Bilwe outlined the planned course: the Posse will start at the Blue River post office, camp at Buffalo Crossing and at 'CC Cabin,' then return to Lakeside. He said carriers will be sworn in by the postmaster at the starting post office. Arrival in Lakeside was described as "between noon and 2:00 p.m.," but Bilwe cautioned that horseback delivery is unpredictable and exact times may vary.

The Posse also emphasized its broader role in local emergency response. Bilwe said the mounted unit acts as a search-and-rescue team on the mountain and commonly responds to calls for missing children and older adults with dementia; he noted that the prevalence of cell phones has reduced some missing-person incidents.

In addition to the ride, Bilwe said the Posse's barbecue is its single annual fundraiser and is held on the second Saturday in August; the transcript did not specify the exact calendar date. Tickets will be available at Pinetop Lakeside town hall and from local businesses, including some owned by Posse members. Bilwe named Bill and Trish Gibson and Charlie Clarkson as local supporters and said The Orchard property will host the event.

Bilwe invited residents to attend the finish celebration at the Lakeside post office and said the Posse will try to post timing updates via phone and on Facebook. "It's not, you you can't just plug in your GPS and say, I'll be there at 06:43... it doesn't work that way on a horse," he said, explaining the limits of precise scheduling for a mounted ride.

The program closed with a reminder from the host about community support and safety; the transcript includes slightly different spellings of the host and guest names at the close. Listeners were told further details and ticket information will be provided as the summer season approaches.