When Brian Cox and Maggie Kerola Cox exchanged vows five years ago, their union garnered positive attention within the equestrian community. Brian, a decorated rider on the Western Pleasure circuit with numerous AQHA titles, and Maggie, an avid rider since childhood, shared a passion for horses that naturally extended into their married life. This shared devotion led them to establish a state-of-the-art training facility in Hubbard, Ohio, to support their business, Brian Cox Quarter Horses. Their dream facility, constructed with the help of Lester Building Systems, not only serves their business needs but also earned first place in the 2017 Masters Division competition by the National Frame Building Association.
“We spent the time, did our homework, worked with an architect and got what we wanted for sure,” Maggie reflected on the meticulous planning process. The couple collaborated with architect J. Greer Hayden of HHSDR, who translated their vision for design, layout, colors, and materials into a concrete plan after they provided examples of facilities they admired. For the construction phase, they selected Witmer’s Construction Co., a long-standing dealer for Lester’s wood-frame buildings since 1969. This partnership made Lester’s post-frame construction a cornerstone of the project.
The ambitious project encompassed a 10,400-square-foot indoor riding arena, a 4,200-square-foot barn, a covered entrance, and an office space equipped with sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a 16-foot arena viewing window for clients and guests. Crucially, the entire facility was designed to be insulated and climate-controlled, ensuring the comfort and protection of both horses and clients from the unpredictable Ohio weather.
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Construction commenced in November 2015 and spanned 15 months, a testament to their commitment to quality: “We wanted to do it right,” Maggie emphasized. The result is a magnificent and highly functional stable. The facility is thoughtfully divided into two main sections. The left side houses 10 client horse stalls, designated as the business hub, while the right side, affectionately called “my side” by Maggie, features six stalls for the couple’s three horses.
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Attention to detail is evident throughout the structure, with wraparound porches, stone veneers, and rough-sawn architectural elements adding a rustic charm. The drive-through canopy features pre-engineered trusses cleverly designed to mimic the appearance of rough-sawn wood beams. Complementing the surrounding landscape, the color scheme incorporates harmonious hues of Rawhide and Earth Brown. The aesthetic appeal is further enhanced by a nearby pond and a lighted fountain.
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The Coxes expressed high satisfaction with Lester Building Systems’ construction quality and customer service. They particularly valued the ability to visualize their project through Lester’s proprietary IMPROV® software. “Lester was great to work with,” Maggie stated. “They worked well with our engineers and architect, and there was a good line of communication.” She further added, “They took our ideas and made them happen. A few pieces arrived with minor shipping damage, and they corrected that right away. Then we had a few change orders along the way, and they adjusted things and were really great about that.” Their positive experience has led them to recommend Lester Buildings multiple times.
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“It’s just a great product,” Maggie affirmed. “What you want, they deliver. There was little turnaround time, and Lester’s engineer was phenomenal.” The spacious facility now comfortably accommodates both horses and people. The integrated living quarters are especially beneficial, allowing clients to observe arena activities from a comfortable vantage point and stay overnight when needed.
Brian’s established reputation as a trainer continues to flourish. Since launching his business in 2005, he has risen to become one of the nation’s top-20 open riders, competing across the country approximately three weekends per month. Maggie, who maintains a full-time HR career, manages the business’s administrative tasks, including bookkeeping, scheduling, and billing. The couple also has a two-year-old daughter.
“We measure success in accolades, really,” Maggie explained. “We’ve got a really great group of customers, long-term customers, and multiple horses here in the facility with us. We’re where we need to be, and we’ve built what we needed to maintain that.”
At Lester Building Systems, we pride ourselves on constructing durable wood-framed buildings utilizing the strongest steel panels available. Contact our specialists at 1-800-826-4439 to explore how we can help bring your next building project to fruition.
