With over 50 years of combined knowledge, the trainers at Coraggio have experience teaching riders of all levels.
Paige Barnett | Owner/Trainer
Paige Barnett has been riding and competing Hunter/Jumper horses her entire life, successfully competing on the “A” circuit in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, California and Texas.
Paige is a graduate of the University of Arizona where she took her horses to school with her to continue showing. In 2003, Paige was recipient of the top 10 Best Young Riders award in Arizona. Paige has continued her education over the years by attending clinics with great coaches such as Dick Carvin, Francie Steinwedell Carvin, Damien Gardner, Bernie Traurig, Linda Allen, and Ragan Roberts.
Paige specializes in the training of the horse as well as the training of the rider. She has experience taking clients and their horses to schooling as well as “A” rated shows, where she has competed anywhere from the baby green hunters to the upper level jumper divisions.
She feels a solid foundation and always going back to the basics are the qualities that create good riders, and emphasizes that riding and training of horse and rider begins before you even sit in the saddle. Paige strives for all her students to learn the deeper connection they can achieve with these animals when they understand that learning to ride is a journey and a process.
Cassandra MacIntyre | Trainer/Barn Manager
Cassandra grew up in Vermont and New Hampshire riding and showing Morgan Horses. She spent her childhood riding english, western, and saddle seat, as well as driving. She got her introduction to jumping during high school. In college she expanded her horsemanship skills through lessons with FEI Dressage trainer Madeleine Austin while also working for and being mentored by a natural horsemanship trainer who studied with Ray Hunt.
Cassandra moved to Texas in 2011 and unexpectedly fell into managing, teaching, and riding at an hunter jumper show barn. Since then she’s developed kids from their first ride to their first horse show, taught nervous adults to conquer their fears and find fun riding again, as well as helped other professionals along the path to competing at the FEI level.
Cassandra’s overall focus is the happiness of the horses and riders in her care. She believes you can have fun and prioritize the wellbeing of your horses at any level and enjoys helping her riders at Coraggio do just that.
Cathy Coleman | Trainer
Cathy has been teaching and coaching hunter jumper riders for more than 30 years. She got into horses at a young age at her aunt’s small stable. Cathy’s early professional years were spent in the Toronto area, where among other things was known to start horses for one of North America’s top hunter riders Wayne Mclellan.
In 1986 she received the equestrian coach certificate from the National Canadian Coaching Program, which included extensive testing in teaching, stable management, written knowledge, and riding. 1989 found her following her soon to be husband to Edmonton, Alberta where she learned what it was like to teach at 40 degrees below zero. In Edmonton, Cathy ran a sizable program with students showing across Western Canada, including Spruce Meadows. Many of these talented riders qualified and showed at the Equitation regional finals, and in 2004, Cathy was the coach of the winning adult rider and top adult hunter horse.
2005 brought another change of venue (again following her husband) to Southern New Jersey. While in NJ, she was affiliated with Woodedge Stables run by Bob Allen.
Cathy enjoys bringing her years of experience to the clients at Coraggio.
“My daughter is so happy with how much her riding has improved as a result of the training program and I’m very grateful for such a talented team of professionals to coach her along the way. ”
