OUR STAFF
Barbe Smith
Barbe has been operating Cascade Stables in Audubon Park since 1981. She began riding at the Audubon Stables in 1963. Over the years Barbe has coached several riders toWorld and National Championships and 3 world cup riders, including Victoria McHenry, a member of the 2008 World Cup Team. Barbe has been at the forfront ofthe horse business for several years, both locally and nationally, and is well respected in the industry. She is on the board of directors for the United Professional Horseman's Association. She is a comitee member for the equitationcomitee for the UPHA. She is the vice president of the Louisiana American Saddlebred Horse Association and is also a Registered judge with the United States Equestrian Federation. Barbe Smith was also the 2010 Inductee into the Helen Crabtree Instructor's Hall of Fame.
James Nichols
James has been in the horse business for over 35 years. His focus has been in the American Saddlebred, Roadster and Hackney divisions. He trains, shows, exhibits, instructs and sells some of the tops performers in the country. He is a licensed large R judge in these divisions and has judged at all the
major shows in the industry. He has just recently moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to train at Cascade Stables. James is the current President of the United Professional Horsemen's Association.
Jeremy Granier
Jeremy has been the assistant trainer for 4 years and has assisted in the making of several national champions. He began riding in 1985 under the direction of Tommy Benton. He worked on and off for Cascade Stables for several years beforejoining the team full time. Jeremy is a member of the United Professional Horseman's Association and is a board member of the Louisiana American Saddlebred Horse Association.
Elise Hagenow
Elise Hagenow joined Cascade Stables in May of 2008 as Head Riding Instructor. A recent graduate of William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, Elise majored in Equestrian Science with a concentration in Saddle Seat. While at William Woods, Elise was one of four recipients of the Vonderschmitt Scholarship, the most prestigious scholarship for Equestrian students awarded at the University. Elise began riding at the age of six and competing both locally and Nationally at the age of seven. Throughout her college career she worked for many renowned horse trainers and instructors, bringing with her to Cascade Stables and extensive knowledge of instruction and the equestrian industry. Elise is a member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, The United States Equestrian Federation, and the United Professional Horsemen’s Association.
