Published November 10. 2026 02:09PM
Despite light rain and drizzle, Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police hosted their ninth annual Bridles and Badges open house Sept. 20, which featured the badging of new equine partners Fossor and Otto.
Both equine officers received several years of specialized training at the Asbury University in Kentucky and have been receiving localized training since arriving in May.
Fossor was purchased by the David Heintzelman family and Otto is sponsored and named by Moravian Village in Bethlehem. Open house visitors were able to meet both the new additions and their officers as well as the existing members of the Bethlehem Mounted Patrol.
The public was able to visit the barn, listen to live music, watch both a tacking and mounted demonstration, grab a bite to eat at several food trucks, purchase Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Patrol merchandise, and visit with several vendors.
Holly Conroy and Eileen Sunderlin, president and treasurer of the Penn-Jersey Horse Show Association, also visited to present a $3,000 check to the Mounted Patrol. Conroy says it is a regular show of support to privately funded Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Patrol.
Officers get their equine partners ready inside the stables before the open house opening ceremonies.
Boy Scout Kaspian Hlavinka will be building an equine memorial garden on site as his Eagle Scout project.
Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police Patrol president Marissa Zontag introduces the mounted police.
The Bethlehem Mounted Police salute during the National Anthem.
Madelyn Dundon sings the Star Spangled Banner at the open house program. More photos on page A5.
After badging Fossor, Chief Kott and Officer Cruz on Fossor pose with Nancy and David Heintzelman, who is also mayor of Hellertown, and who purchased Fossor for the department.
Justin Michaels, executive director at Moravian Village who are sponsoring Otto, joins Chief Kott and Officer Kuntzman after badging Otto.
Holly Conroy gives Fossor a pat inside of the Quadrant Private Wealth Stables.
PRESS PHOTOS BY DANA GRUBBOfficers Russell and Strydesky explain the process of tacking their equine partner Casper to an open house crowd.
