STAFF
The Vantage Point Team
Dedicated people who are share a joy of life, a commitment to excellence and a motivation to make a difference in the lives of their horses and clients.
May Chadick
Owner/Trainer
Vantage Point Farm owner and head trainer May Chadick, hails from a long background in the show horse industry. Originally from New Orleans, LA, and riding since the age of three, May grew up on the back of an American Saddlebred horse, competing successfully on the tough Southwest Circuit across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
May’s chosen career path was clearly horses. After studying business management & equine science in college, she set about gaining experience from some of the most highly respected trainers and instructors in the industry. Don Bridges, Lori Glickman, Cash Lovell, Jr., Jack Magill and Barbe Smith are just a few that helped shape her knowledge and expertise. Two decades of training, showing and instructing as an assistant, and over 40 years of equine experience make up today’s “May,” a person confident in herself and her abilities. From beginner student to the most advanced, young colt to seasoned show ring veteran, she LOVES to teach and train, to develop a horse-and-rider partnership. Multiple champions at every level in every performance division, as well as Saddle Seat Equitation, have been developed and shown under her guidance.
May enjoys and believes in giving back to the industry by judging horse shows, giving clinics, working with local community charities and volunteering on horse industry boards. She served on the board of UPHA Chapter 6/7 for over 10 years, has served on the TASHA board for 4 terms, has been a member of the ASHBA Charter Club Council (2025 Chairperson) since its inception and also serves on the ASHBA Convention Committee. May is dedicated to sharing the American Saddlebred with the public, supports several equine rescue programs and through all of her efforts has earned the respect of her peers. She was voted the UPHA Chapter 6/7 Horseperson of the Year in 2013 and was inducted into the Texas Horseman's Hall of Fame in 2024..
At the helm of the large VPF program that includes more than 45 horses on site, May is a devoted mother to her son, Mason, and enjoys several hobbies. A person who believes that life should be fun, the energy and enthusiasm stemming from May’s leadership is contagious to all who are part of the barn family.
Erlene Smythe
Trainer / Riding Program Manager
Erlene Smythe is a lifelong, third-generation horsewoman whose passion for horses began at an early age and has grown into a career spanning decades. Raised at the renowned Roy-El Morgan Farm in New Mexico, an AMHA Breeders Hall of Fame farm, Erlene had the privilege of learning from and working alongside some of the best horsemen and women in the industry. As a young rider, Nancy Becker served as her saddle seat coach, and she later had the opportunity to work with Mike Goebig and Dwayne Knowles at Broadmoor.
Throughout her career, Erlene has trained numerous National and World Champions and developed horses and riders across a variety of disciplines. She has also had the opportunity to collaborate with some of equitation’s leading instructors, including Sandy Sessink, Cindy Mugnier, Jonalyn Gwinup, and Manya Smalley. In addition to her training career, she is an internationally recognized Large R Morgan judge with more than 15 years of judging experience.
As a trainer and instructor, Erlene believes that successful riding begins with a strong foundation, a willing partnership, and an understanding of the horse — not simply learning how to ride. She takes pride in helping each horse and rider reach their individual potential, whether they are taking their first lesson, developing confidence and correct fundamentals, bringing along a young horse, or preparing for the show ring. Her teaching philosophy combines classical horsemanship, practical experience, attention to detail, and a genuine love for both horse and rider. Drawing on the knowledge and experience gained from some of the industry's finest mentors, Erlene strives to create confident, educated riders and happy, well-trained horses while keeping horsemanship at the heart of everything she does.
Our Support Team
No team is strong without a great staff. The VPF team is made up of outstanding, dedicated caretakers who have more than 20 years of combined experience in caring for show horses. We are grateful for the excellent veterinary care of Brazos Valley Equine Clinic and Dr. John Cummins.