our team

A lifelong horse lover and an accomplished dressage trainer and rider, Kassie is the most winning Young Rider in US history. 3-time USEF National Champion and multiple NAJYRC Gold medalist, Kassie has been ranked first in the Nation at levels from Training through Grand Prix over thirty times! She also has 36 Regional titles and earned the scores for her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals by her 18th birthday!

Kassie is also readily available to help with HWH rescue horses. “Splitting my time between competition dressage, coaching fellow dressage enthusiasts, and working with the rescue horses makes me a very well-rounded horsewoman. I have to thank each of the horses here that have taught me. You truly can learn something new every day and that is an energizing feeling to wake up to every morning.”​

Jan is a lifelong horsewoman who splits her time between her home in Michigan and the HWH Rescue here in Florida. Jan rides dressage and trains with HWH Director Yvonne Barteau. She is currently riding her mare Emmy at the Prix St George level.

Jan has been with HWH from the very beginning and works year-round to help things run smoothly. In addition to wearing many hats for the organization, her primary roles managing the social media and newsletters.

Jan is also the costume designer for "Spirit of the Horse," live theatre event to benefit HWH. Jan’s husband Jim also joins in helping by completing various construction tasks, including much of the work on the new HWH obstacle course.

Spencer McCart is Yvonne Barteau’s brother and has built a strong reputation in the specialized mechanical trade industries.

When his sister reached out and asked if he would help with his expertise in managing the facilities, he was reluctant at first. After meeting the volunteers, staff, and so many of her wonderful friends, it was apparent that there is a strong passion for the plight of these horses. He is happy and proud to be a part of the HWH mission.

“My love for horses extends back to my childhood. As a teenager, I was involved with a 4-H horse club and showed in both locally and at the state fair level."

One of my biggest thrills was to train a colt born on our farm from groundwork through riding. Each horse is a unique individual, and they all have different personalities and unique needs, just like us. Although I haven’t owned a horse for many years, I am enjoying getting to know the HWH horses, and working with the dedicated HWH volunteers.

Being at HWH is more fun than it is at work. What could be better than being in beautiful surroundings, having horses all around you, having ongoing opportunities to learn horsemanship skills, and helping horses find wonderful new homes?

Barry is a graduate of Trine University in Indiana with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was in sales for a heavy equipment company for 16 years, spent 20 years as an on-site resident engineer for the construction of environmental projects, and 9 years as an environmental engineer with the state of North Carolina. Barry will tell you upfront that while he loves horses, he’s not an accomplished rider like his wife. He works with HWH providing support to the construction and maintenance projects.