Louis McCloud, played by Yvonne Suhor, otherwise known as Lou was a rider that is considered more special than most. In case you missed a few episodes here and there, Lou is a girl. And not just any ordinary girl.

Lou was the only female rider, and it was very important to masquerade as a male. In the beginning of the series, Lou disguissed herself as a boy to get the job as a Pony Express rider, which if they had known that she was female, they never would have hired her. But she proved to everyone that she was more than capable to perform her job. She is an excellent rider, shooter and showed everyone that she could take care of herself.

Lou didn't have a very easy childhood. When she was young, her mother died and then her father ran out on her, and her brother and sister. They were moved to an orphage shortly thereafter. She escaped when she was fifteen with hopes of finding a job to save enough money to buy a house for herself and her brother and sister. At first she was employed in a brothel and worked for a short time, but not as a prostetute. She was more or less a housekeeper. After she was abused by the owner, she escaped. After that, she decided to disguise herself as a boy. Not only did she feel she would be safer that way, she knew that as a woman, she couldn't find any other way to make a decent living.

Finally, Lou signed on with The Pony Express. In the beginning, Kid was the only one who knew she was a girl after discovering by accident when she was shot by a group of outlaws and Kid had to tend to the wound. Eventhough he felt compelled to tell the others, he kept her secret. A little while later, the others find out about her true identity when they help her rescue her brother and sister and she has a dreadful confrontation with her father. The other riders keep her secret also because they know that if Teaspoon found out, she wouldn't be able to keep her job. But much later Teaspoon eventually finds out, but he has already grown attached to her, so he lets her stay on. Emma, however, knew the whole time, but she never mentioned it. She felt Lou had the right to make her way and it wasn't any of her business. And when Rachel comes along, she quickly figures it out also.

Lou's identity as a boy sheds throughout the series. Her androgynous appearance in the beginning fools everyone. Even the veiwers are somewhat fooled because of her boyish looks and unfeminine voice. But as different people realize that she is in fact a girl, she lets go of that boyish quality and starts acting more lady-like. She lets her hair grow longer, and her entire manner changes. And by the end of the series, she turns out to be a very attractive young woman. And we understand why Kid is so proud to have her as his wife.

Lou's outfit changes frequently and she always carries a non-descript Colt revolver. Each season, her attire becomes more feminine as she secretly yearns to be considered as a woman. By the end of the series, she is wearing dresses, eventhough she still goes back to breeches and a shirt and vest. Many of the episodes centering on Lou focuses on either her gender conflict or on her romance with the Kid. Lou is literate, intelligent, and forms a special bond with both Emma and Rachel (although Lou resents Rachel when she first comes to the station). Lou rides a black horse who's name is Lightning.

From the very beginning Lou is in love with Kid. He is her one true friend and confidant. He shares her secret and protects it (as well as protecting her), and Kid shares that same love with her. Eventhough their courtship had its ups and downs, her heart always stayed with Kid. And eventhough at one point she had feelings for Jimmy, she soon realizes that Kid was the man she wanted to spend her life with and accepted his proposal, after the third time! But still she had some doubts when it came to giving up her identity as "Lou" and taking on her new one as "Louise". Louise and Kid marry in the last episode, and from what we saw during the three years of the series, we can only assume that it was happily ever after.

Yvonne Suhor, Louise "Lou" McCloud, was the only female Young Rider, though it was necessary for her to masquerade as a male. And she did it well, fooling everyone for quite awhile.

Though we don't see her too much anymore since the show's dimise, there is very little chance this amazingly talented woman will be finding herself on the unemployment line any time soon. She works extensively in the theatre world as an actress and director. She is a visiting professor of theatre at the University of Florida where she teaches voice, movement, and acting.

Among her work since the end of "The Young Riders", she has had guest appearances in "Brooklyn Bridge" where she had a recurring role, "Star Trek: Voyager", "Northern Exposure", and "Renegade". She has also had roles in two made-for-TV movies, "Dilinger", and "Babe Ruth". Onstage she is affiliated with Chicago's famous Steppenwolf Theatre, appearing in an award-winning production of "The Grapes of Wrath" and in the Australian touring company of Steppenwolf's "Lydie Breeze". She was nominated for a JEFF award for her acting in the play "Vampires".

In 1999, Yvonne took a role in The Paper Route and made a guest appearence in "Sheena" in 2000.

Yvonne is a native of New Orleans. Not only is this girl very talented, she has a brain to go along with it. She graduated with a BS degree from Illinois State University in 1985 and went on to get her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California. She is currently teaching acting in Orlando, Florida.

For more information on Yvonne Suhor, please visit IMDB.com.

Information provided by wCw, Ishani, Rick Snyder, & Silvia Barlaam
Pictures provided by Wendy