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By Duke Gonzalez, Strategic Communications Specialist, U.S. Postal Service
January 16, 2024 (Pine Valley) – A ‘Pony Express’ recently rode again in Pine Valley, California. But this time, it delivered heroism and community service rather than the mail.
The horse rider was Pine Valley Postmaster Jessie Rose Hoffman. Her quick thinking and immediate action protected a pair of runaway horses from potential harm and prompted much gratitude from the horses’ owners and members of the community.
“I was serving a customer at the retail counter when we noticed two riderless horses galloping across the post office parking lot, said Hoffman. “Just a few minutes before that I had seen a woman and a young girl riding those horses in the meadow next to the office.
“My first thought was ‘Oh no, where are the riders?’ followed quickly by ‘I need to go help!’”
Hoffman and her customer ran out of the office after the horses, catching up to them at a Frosty Burger down the road. They walked the horses back to the post office just in time to see the horses’ grateful riders walking out of the meadow.
Hoffman was relieved to see them walk out of the meadow without any serious injuries, although they were in some pain after being thrown by their horses. They explained that the horses had been spooked by a remote control car and shared that their biggest fear as they watched their horses gallop off was that they would run onto the nearby freeway onramp. Hoffman and her customer offered to ride the horses back to the still-shaken owners’ homes a few blocks away.
“As we rode the horses away from the post office parking lot some other customers yelled out ‘Look, the postmaster is bringing back the Pony Express!’
“The incident was stressful, but also an adrenaline rush. When we ran out of the office, we had no idea where the horses were and how this incident would end. I’m glad that we were able to catch up with the horses and that their riders turned out okay.”
Although not a part of her postal duties, Hoffman said that her actions reflect her commitment to her customers and the entire Pine Valley community.
“I take pride in my role as the town’s postmaster,” she said. “When you take ownership of your duties and give of your time and effort every day it doesn’t go unnoticed. Even if it’s not always shown or spoken by the customers, they do appreciate you!”
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