B Troop hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new barn

By Stephanie CaffallMay 11, 2015

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, 1st Sgt. Pete Criscuolo and Capt. Joshua Hengst, commander of B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry (Memorial), prepare to cut the ribbon outside of B Troop's newly constructed barn May 1. B Troop now officially has a barn in which to store their hors... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In background, from left, Capt. Joshua Hengst, commander of B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry (Memorial), and Pete Criscuolo, first sergeant for B-Troop, stand while Sgt. John Payne of B Troop brings his horse into the newly completed barn structure. The bar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Fort Huachuca's B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry (Memorial) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony May 1 for their newly constructed barn at Buffalo Corral.

The 160-foot, newly built structure occupies an area which covers roughly 11,000 square feet, features 18 horse stalls which include an indoor 12-by-12-foot stall and a 12-by-16-foot outdoor pen for each horse, electricity and storage for equipment.

Before construction of the new barn, B Troop horses had only outdoor pens and there was no indoor storage, said Chris Zimmerman, B Troop volunteer coordinator and former B Troop volunteer. As soon as minor work is finished on the outdoor pens, the B Troop horses will be permanently relocated to their new home.

At the ceremony, Zimmerman explained.

"B Troop has participated in ceremonies at Fort Huachuca for over 40 years. For all those years B Troop never really had its own facility.

"They've moved around to different buildings on post, as space is available," Zimmerman said.

According to Zimmerman, the plans to renovate existing structures to use for B Troop horses and equipment have been on the books for many years. But for various reasons, they never materialized.

He explained that at one time a plan was in the works to renovate existing mule barns and that Army Corps of Engineers personnel had even drawn up architectural modifications. At that point, the project was put on hold. Later on, planning personnel decided it was more feasible to build a new barn.

"It was more cost effective," Zimmerman said, stating it cost roughly $500 thousand for the new barn rather than the $750 thousand originally allotted for renovation.

"It has been a long time coming," Zimmerman said. "I am really happy about it. I have been working on this since I became the B Troop coordinator [in December, 2003] but others have been working on [plans for] far longer.

"The project was approved about a year ago and the contract was awarded in August [to Marsh Development]," Zimmerman said, explaining that the work, subcontracted to R.D. Coffman Enterprises, began early in February.

The troopers are delighted to have the new building and outdoor pens.

"Our days of wandering are [now] over. I am happy to report that B Troop officially has a home," Zimmerman said.

For Capt. Joshua Hengst, commander of B Troop, "all the blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off.

"The horses now have a comfortable and safe place to live and lay their heads," Hengst, said. "The barn will not fall on them when the winds exceed 50 miles per hour. There are no rusty rails in their new pens. The poisonous weeds are out of their reach. They're protected from the elements and the rain will not spoil their food. They don't know it yet, but their dream house is here and ready for their arrival."

"This barn means our horses will be safe and happier," he added. "But it also means our troop is in great shape."