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 "adrenaline 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. Kris has been very fortunate to be mentored by some of top trainers in the country. Kris was raised by hard-working parents, her father is Italian, and she 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 in Business Management. Kris along with her husband Neil own and operate several businesses in the Oilfield Service Industry as well as partners in the Copeland's of Houma, LA and Lafayette, LA. She also owns a construction company. Kris' motto in life is "Determination leads to success, Quitting isn't an option." She has 3 adult children, 1 grand baby, and many, many pets.

Nica Orgeron was born in raised in South Louisiana. Nica has been working for Suard Companies for the last 10 years as Kris's executive assistant; Neil's Business Manager. Over the years Nica has worn many different hats in the different companies owned by the Suard's. Nica was introduced to her first horse in 2006 when Kris 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. Nica had a life changing experience in November 2011 when she became a mother to a baby boy named Ashton Michael. A little tid-bit about Nica, she has an identical twin that is a Physician's Assistant for one of the top orthopedic surgeon in the nation.

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