Wayne Barr Jr., 59, suffered a fatal accident when he was unseated in a training jumper class at the Saratoga Summer Celebration Horse Show last weekend.
During the tiebreaker at the New York competition on Saturday, his horse, Pacco, put in an awkward jump that got the rider off balance. He “tried to save the fall” and hung on for several strides, but wound up dropping in front of his horse, who tripped and fell, but did not land on his rider according to Mr. Barr’s trainer, Marcia Kulak. The horse was uninjured.
“It was a very freak accident because Wayne was a very competent rider, riding at a very nominal level for where he is and for the horse’s abilities,” said Marcia.
Mr. Barr was taken by ambulance to Albany Medical Center, where he died. Autopsy results have not been released.
The CEO of Innovate Corp. was a longtime devoted horseman.
“Wayne was totally committed and loved every moment of it,” said Marcia.
“I’m not sure I’ve had another person ride in my career that was as into it, and just totally loved being part of our team and riding and just the involvement. He was just as comfortable behind a wheelbarrow and a pitchfork as he was on the back of a horse,” Marcia observed.
“Those kind of people don’t come along very often. It was a great ride. We really enjoyed the whole process.”
Wayne Barr was a gritty competitor who loved his sport. (Photo courtesy Kulak Equestrian)
Mr. Barr grew up riding Welsh ponies for Mollie Butler in Ithaca, N.Y., and continued to ride when time allowed throughout his adult life. After many years of hard work and business success, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of getting back into horses three years ago, Marcia noted.
The late Wayne Barr Jr.
“Wayne could have ridden with any professional and I am honored that he chose our team. He was a dedicated, exceptional student and a very good athlete who was totally immersed in our program,” she commented.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation issued a statement offering condolences to Mr. Barr’s family, while emphasizing the organization “takes every fall very seriously and will be reviewing the accident thoroughly to learn how we may further minimize risk and increase safety in equestrian sport.”
The federation noted, “Safety is paramount for USEF and integral to our mission. Falls that potentially involve a serious injury are currently required to be reported immediately to USEF.”
Beyond that, the federation recently announced a new requirement to collect uniform and actionable fall data across all levels of competition. Beginning in December 2023, it will require all falls of horse and all falls of riders to be reported in class results at each competition.
“This will give us additional data to inform change, evaluate risk and provide greater insight to further improve safety in the future,” according to USEF.
Marcia noted how devoted Mr. Barr was to his sport
“He patiently committed to investing in quality horses and traveled from his home in North Carolina, or wherever he happened to be working around the country, to train and show regularly. Wayne always came to the barn with a beautiful smile and an arm full of goodies for all the staff, which quickly endeared him to the entire Kulak Equestrian family. Wayne made our world a better place with his kind, intelligent and exceptionally generous nature.”
As Marcia concluded, “There are no words to adequately express how we feel. We can take some solace in knowing that Wayne loved his family and his equestrian endeavors with his horses. He
was truly a special gentleman, and his passing has left an enormous hole in our hearts,”
In addition to his sons, Thomas and Spencer, Mr. Barr is survived by mother, Patricia (Byrne); his brothers, Kevin, Brian (Leslie) and Trevor (Belinda); his former wife, Rita Barr, his dog, Quinn and his horses,
A funeral was scheduled for Saturday, July 29, but his friends are hoping to plan a celebration of his life in Wellington, Fla., at a later date.
Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory may do so at https://www.justworldinternational.org/donate/
Mr. Barr also was devoted to a project involved with the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, undergoing renovation in Palm Beach, Fla. It has been closed for nearly 20 years, but a foundation is being started to make it accessible to all, including under-served children, who would have an opportunity to experience the arts there. Those who wish to make a contribution once the foundation is set up should keep checking on line.