Our Staff

Gene “Beanie” Cone, Head Trainer

Beanie is a native of Germantown, TN. He has been riding since the age of four. By the age of 8, Beanie was training ponies for his family. The Cones owned and operated Cedar Lake Stables. Beanie was responsible for training the National Pony Champion, “Shanessy”.

Beanie was traveling the east coast, from Canada to Florida, at the age of 13. He was successfully competing on the “A” circuit in the pony division, junior hunters and junior jumpers. He was trained by Jerome Robertson and his brother, Canadian Olympian, Mac Cone winning champion at all levels of competition.

After training under Fuzzy Mayo and attending course design clinics with Richard Jeffries; Beanie spent eight years designing courses from Oklahoma to Mississippi. With over 15 year’s experience, Beanie has a strong background in stable management. He knows how important a comfortable environment is for the horse and he provides it for the animal’s well being and the horse owner’s peace of mind.

Louise Cohen Carruthers, Trainer

Louise began riding at Camp Merry Acres in Cordova, TN at the tender age of four. Growing up in those early years, Louise competed on the A circuit across the Southeast and mid west on her champion Connemara show pony, Oh Orphan’s Dunnette (Sandy). She trained locally with Rocky Walker, Richard Watson and Jerome Robertson. Louise also trained at Sweet Briar College in Virginia along with her horse, Empress Dancer. She trained with Melanie Smith Taylor under Olympic trainer George Morris and competed on the northeastern circuit.

Louise has enjoyed fox hunting with both Oak Grove and Longreen Hunt Clubs and earned her colors through Longreen. She also enjoys carriage driving with her miniature horse, Starbucks.

Louise’s life has been filled with horses since an early age and she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with the students she teaches today.


Leslie Ragland Gattuso, Trainer

In 1971, Leslie’s family moved to Memphis from Virginia Beach. Her dad took her to the Germantown Charity Horse Show that year and that was all it took for Leslie to be hooked on horses. She began her riding career the next week at Plantation Farm.

Leslie moved to Hugh Frank Smith’s Horse & Pony Farm in Germantown, TN and trained with her horse, Instant Replay, under Phoebe Sheets, Margie Clark, Suzy Young and Melanie Smith Taylor. Leslie and Instant Replay were a successful team on the local “A “circuit. Leslie competed on Concorde under trainer Jerome Robertson.

Leslie has been training and teaching locally for about ten years. She enjoys working with her own children, Megan and Dylan, who show locally. Leslie trains her three horses and shows locally and on the “A” circuit along with training her students at Hunter’s Edge Stables. Leslie has a deep appreciation for the horse and shares that love with her students.


Margaret Cone, Co-Owner


As co-owner of Hunters Edge Stables, Margaret helps Beanie manage the Southpointe facility.  Margaret is a native Memphian.  She graduated from St. Mary's Episcopal School and the University of Memphis with a B.A. in Education and a minor in Marketing. 

She started riding at the age of eight and showed as a junior rider locally and at regional shows.  She traveled with Beanie to horse shows when he was designing courses.  This is where she did her homework watching and learning what judges were looking for in a horse.  She attributes her eye for horses to the countless hours spent ringside watching and talking with judges. 

She likes to scout prospective mounts for our clientele, helping our trainers match horse to rider.  Margaret and Beanie have two sons, Bowers and Palmer, who both ride.  She plays "show mom" for the boys, leaving little time for her to ride anymore.  Margaret is also a full-time Realtor with Foster Real Estate Services and enjoys playing competitive tennis in her free time.

Jerry, Barn Cat

As Head Mouser at Hunters Edge Stables, Jerry has gained much experience tracking down all the little critters. Besides being a useful addition to the barn, Jerry provides much entertainment for our riding students.