FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – B Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial) held an internal trooper competition, “The Troopies,” on Sept. 10 at Brown Parade Field.
B Troop is a ceremonial horse cavalry unit. It is one of the six horse cavalry units Army-wide and is the only memorial unit staffed by volunteer riders demonstrating the skills of the horse Soldier before the advent of the motorized cavalry.
The cavalry competition has four classes for riders and their mounts: military horsemanship, combat horsemanship and a jumping course with saber and pistol. These classes simulate the conditions and courses expected at the upcoming 2022 National Cavalry Competition (NCC) on Sept. 21-24 at historic Fort Reno in Oklahoma.
“I think it is great practice,” said Martina Peters, first sergeant of B Troop.
Packing four classes for three riding levels, novice through expert, into a one-day event was a challenge, she explained.
“The competition was a good experience for the horses,” Peters said. “All they do on Brown Parade Field is their ceremonial charge, so it was good for them to do something else.”
Peters rode her mount, Henry, to first place in all four expert-level classes.
The organization of the competition benefitted from Boy Scout Troop 482 assisting with course changes, Peters said.
“Riders have a couple of different obstacles to negotiate,” explained U.S. Marine Capt. John Walton, commander of B Troop. “The rider performs ground maneuvers with the horse and sometimes uses their saber or pistol.”
Walton and his mount, Apache, won second place for the day’s competition in the Level II military and combat horsemanship classes.
Best Trooper Competition results:
Level I
Military Horsemanship
1. Aaron Trevino with Charlie
2. Randall Link with Mickey
3. Hershel Smith with Jet
Combat Horsemanship
1. Aaron Trevino with Charlie
2. Hershel Smith with Jet
3. Ashley Mount with Jet
Saber & Pistol
1. Ashley Mount with Jet
2. Hershel Smith with Jet
3. Randall Link with Mickey
Level II
Military Horsemanship
1. Jay Hizer with Sherman
2. John Walton with Apache
3. Robert Herrera with Charlie
Combat Horsemanship
1. Jay Hizer with Sherman
2. John Walton with Apache
3. Robert Herrera with Charlie
Saber & Pistol
1. Jay Hizer with Sherman
2. John Walton with Apache
Level III
Military Horsemanship
1. Martina Peters with Henry
Combat Horsemanship
1. Martina Peters with Henry
2. Lee Lavorne with Ben
Saber & Pistol
1. Martina Peters with Henry
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Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
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