Kris Suard - Owner and Founder of the Black Star Ranch; Kris starting taking basic riding lessons in 2005. She had never ridden or been around horses in her life. She was raised in a small town in South Louisiana that had zero horse culture. After managing an indoor football arena franchise, that Neil & Kris owned from 2002-2004, she was looking for another "adreneline fix". After being introduced to horses, it was love at first sight. She first started in basic riding, then tried english for a few months, that didn't attract her much, then she tried western pleasure, didn't like that either. While sitting around an all-day show, she watched barrel racing.She attended her first Josey Clinic in June of 2006 and was scared to even lope the pattern. She has fond memories of Josey, Ty and Chris chasing after her horse to make her lope. After that she was hooked ! Kris was raised by hard-working parents, her father is Italian, has been working since her teens. Her career has been in various industries, with an emphasis on finance and marketing in the Oilfield Industry. She has a degree is Business Management. Kris along with her husband Neil own and operate several businesses in the Oilfield Service Industry as well as partners in the Copelands of Houma, La. and Lafayette, La. Kris' motto in life is "Determination leads to success, Quiting isn't an option." She has 3 adult children, and many, many pets.

Nica Orgeron born in and raised in South Louisiana.   Nica has been working for Suard Companies for the last 10 years as Kris & Neil's Business Manager.  Nica was introduced to her first horse in 2006 when we first decided to build Black Star Ranch.  A former Saintsation for the NFL team New Orleans Saints, Nica also holds a degree in Dietetics from Nichols State University.  A little tid-bit about Nica, she has an identical twin that is a Physicians Assistant for a top orthopedic surgeon in our area.

The Black Star Ranch has a 4-person Ranch Crew that helps run the facility.  They make it possible for us to operate day-to-day, manage our breeding program and insure our fleet keeps us safe when we travel.  We chased these guys around with the camera for pictures, but they are all camera shy.  This is the best we could get.