by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 31, 2022
Dressage trainer Michael Barisone’s state of mind in the days before the shooting of Lauren Kanarek was a focal point as his attempted murder trial entered its fourth day in Morristown, N.J.
His former student and tenant, who was shot twice in the chest on Aug. 7, 2019, said under cross-examination by defense attorney Edward Bilinkas that she never threatened Barisone or his girlfriend, Mary Haskins Gray. But when Bilinkas asked about characterizing her social media posts on the subject of Barisone, she conceded, “they could be perceived as threatening.”
Lauren Kanarek on the witness stand.
Was her intention to scare Barisone, Bilinkas questioned.
“Maybe at a point,” replied Kanarek, who also conceded she had written a text saying “Michael is scared,” and indicated to Bilinkas that Barisone was afraid of her father, a retired attorney.
Kanarek and her boyfriend, Robert Goodwin, lived rent-free at a farmhouse on Barisone’s Hawthorne Hill farm in Long Valley, N.J. They paid $2,500 in board per month for each of two horses, while Goodwin did carpenter work on the house and barn to cover the fees for other horses Lauren owned.
Things went sour between the couples during the summer, and the whole farm became embroiled in the toxic atmosphere.
Michael Barisone in happier days at his Hawthorne Hill Farm. (Photo © 2009 by Nancy Jaffer)
Goodwin said Barisone told the staff not to communicate with him and Kanarek. That boiled over when an employee didn’t respond to Kanarek’s concern about a dryer in the stable that wouldn’t turn off, which she saw as a fire hazard.
Kanarek and Goodwin sent a 1 and 1/2-page letter citing “a dangerous and illegal situation” to the Washington Township housing inspector (Long Valley is part of Washington Township) detailing what they saw as code violations.
The result? Township officials descended on the farm Aug. 6 and put up notices telling everyone to vacate the premises. There was a $5,000/day fine if everyone didn’t leave.
Robert Goodwin.
Barisone, sitting at the defense table, had his head in his hands when that topic came up. Bilinkas is pursuing an insanity/self-defense strategy in his defense of the 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team alternate.
In his opening remarks on Monday, Bilinkas contended that Kanarek, her father and Goodwin devised a plan to destroy Barisone and drive him crazy.
The shooting took place after a caseworker from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency visited Gray, who had two children. Why did the caseworker come? What allegations were made?
“Was part of your plan to destroy Michael Barisone to contact…DCPP?” asked Bilinkas
Kanarek said no, and added she had never contacted the agency.
But her phone yielded recorded searches for that agency’s number on two dates in July. On July 31, she “did not recall” searching for the agency’s anonymous hotline, adding “but it’s possible.” Then she said she did remember. Lack of recollection came up often in her testimony, until she was shown documentation.
At the same time, she mentioned that Barisone’s assistant trainer, Justin Hardin, earlier that year had “stolen” her phone at a restaurant. Citing his technological expertise, she said he had broken into her phone and it was possible he “may have been able to do things to my phone that I did not.”
On Aug. 7, Barisone asked the caseworker and Gray, who were meeting in his office, to leave. He had kept a pink and black 9 mm gun, the weapon used in the shooting, in the office safe. Moments later, he drove to the farmhouse where Kanarek was living and the incident unfolded.
Michael Barisone in the courtroom.
Goodwin, 42, took the stand later in the day. Like Kanarek, who had a history with heroin, Goodwin admitted to using drugs “anything I could do to get out of my anxiety” under direct examination by Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn.
When Bilinkas asked Goodwin whether he had used crack, the judge did not permit him to answer the question. Kanarek said earlier in the trial that she has been sober for several years but Goodwin admitted to some relapses while living in Long Valley, though he said he never took drugs while at the farm.
Goodwin said as August 2019 began, Barisone was “making life difficult at the farm for us to want to stay.” Barisone was trying to evict the couple.
Prior to that week, Goodwin said he had hoped “to salvage the relationship. Ultimately, we would (have) kind of liked to work something out.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 28, 2022
After thousands of speculative, gossipy posts on social media and multiple court conferences, dressage trainer Michael Barisone’s attempted murder trial finally got under way today in Morristown, N.J., with dramatic opening statements from his defense and the prosecution detailing what led up to the crime.
Barisone, who has been in the Morris County Correctional Facility since August 2019, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and yellow tie, rather than the yellow prison jumpsuit in which he has appeared before Judge Stephen Taylor over the course of nearly three years.
The shaggy-haired defendant occasionally had his head bowed while tears came to his eyes as each attorney’s approach to everything that happened unreeled in painful detail.The 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team alternate pleaded not guilty to shooting dressage rider Lauren Kanarek twice in the chest at his farm on Aug. 7, 2019, the culmination of a student/teacher relationship gone wrong.
Kanarek was being trained by Barisone, boarded her horses at the farm and also lived in the trainer’s house with her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin. Barisone had tried to evict her as she and Goodwin repeatedly clashed with him and his girlfriend, Mary Haskins Gray, also a dressage trainer.
Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn set the stage this morning by describing for the jury Barisone’s picturesque Hawthorne Hill Farm in the Long Valley section of Washington Township, N.J., where the shooting took place, methodically explaining both the facility’s layout and the nature of dressage, as he gave a roadmap of the way the state will present its case.
Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn makes his case. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
He cited how Barisone and Gray, as well as Kanarek and Goodwin, were complaining about their situation to the U.S. Equestrian Federation and SafeSport, while Barisone was calling the police on almost a daily basis in the week before the shooting.
“These groups of people had it in for one another,” said Schellhorn. But whatever else happened, he told members of the jury, they are in the courtroom for one reason.
“We’re here on this trial because of the defendant’s choice on Aug. 7, 2019 to take the pink and black 9 mm handgun, point that gun at Lauren and pull the trigger twice and then to turn it on Rob and pull the trigger.” That shot missed.
The handgun belonged to Ruth Cox, a North Carolina resident who owned horses with Barisone and was visiting his stable in August 2019. Barisone asked her for her gun, a Ruger she had brought along on her trip. Barisone put the gun and ammunition in a safe in his office.
Cox, who would be charged with unlawful transportation of a firearm, will testify later in the trial. She entered the Pretrial Intervention Program to avoid incarceration.
The last straw for Barisone came when a caseworker from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency came to the farm to investigate an allegation made by Kanarek that Barisone had molested Gray’s 11-year-old son.
Barisone twice interrupted Gray and the caseworker who were talking in his office, eventually telling them they would have to take their conversation elsewhere. He retrieved the gun and drove his pick-up truck to the house, where he saw Goodwin on the porch.
“How do we end this without a war?” Barisone asked Goodwin. But as Kanarek walked down the porch steps, two bullets hit her. Kanarek managed to call 911 and tell the operator she had been shot.
“I’m losing a lot of blood,” she said, as Goodwin subdued Barisone until the police arrived.
Schellhorn contended that Barisone knew what he was doing and “certainly knew what he was doing was wrong.” The trainer is charged with not only two counts of attempted murder, but also possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes.
For his part, Barisone’s attorney, Ed Bilinkas, has said he will mount an insanity defense and include an element of self-defense as well.
“Help! I’m in fear for my life. Someone, anyone, please help me,” were the first words in Bilinkas’ opening statement, as he described how Barisone was desperate to end the escalating harassment that included recording of his conversations, threatening posts on social media and disruption of his home and business.
Ed Bilinkas gave a forceful opening statement in his defense of Michael Barisone. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“Those were the cries for help from Michael Barisone. Those cries fell on deaf ears.”
While the shooting of Kanarek was a tragedy, Bilinkas said, Michael Barisone also has a tragic story.
Barisone had an awful childhood. He was physically abused by his mother and sexually molested by a neighbor, Bilinkas detailed.
Barisone was “A man who worked his way up to the top of the ladder. but behind the scenes was struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts.” The lawyer revealed Barisone had been seeing a therapist on and off for 20 years.
“What this case is really about is about Lauren Kanarek, her father and her boyfriend devising a plan to destroy this man and drive him crazy.” She thought it was funny that he was deteriorating, Bilinkas contended.
He said Kanarek’s social media posts “tell the real story, the scary story.” Bilinkas maintained Kanarek became obsessed with Gray and blames her for all her shortcomings, posting on social media attacks on the business, Barisone and Gray.
“Every man and woman has a breaking point. My client is not guilty,” the lawyer stated.
“At the time of the shooting, my client feared for his life. He was suffering from a mental disease and did not know what he was doing was wrong.”
Michael Barisone went on trial today before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Bilinkas informed the jury how a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity works.
“The courts will make a determination that provides for that individual but also provides to protect the public,” he explained.
The trial has moved on to testimony from law enforcement officers who responded to the scene of the shooting, and will continue in that vein tomorrow.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2022
The application deadline is just around the corner, April 1, to apply for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athlete Program at Centenary University’s Equestrian Center in Long Valley June 20-24.
The riding clinician will be grand prix rider Candice King, a trainer with a warm personality who has represented the U.S. in Nations Cups and won the Queen Elizabeth Cup in England.
The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, created in 2009 for riders to gain riding and horsemanship knowledge, has nine regional training sessions around the country in addition to the one in New Jersey. For more information and to apply, go to ushja.org/EAP.
New this year is the Stable Management Trainee Program, which offers a non-riding component to participants interested in learning more about the behind-the-scenes management of top-level equine athletes and competition barns. At Centenary, hunter/jumper/equitation trainer Tracy Forman will handle the stable management part of the program.
Participants shadowing the stable management clinician will receive more intensive instruction on horse care and management, providing an immersive learning experience on managing a barn and competition horses.
The Emerging Athletes Program is open to Junior, Amateur and Professional members 12 years of age or older as of December 1 of the current competition year and is offered at 0.90m and 1.0m fence heights.
Those interested in participating must complete and return the application, associated fee and three letters of recommendation to USHJA by the deadline.
Riders accepted into the Emerging Athletes Program begin by participating in the Regional Training Session,bringing their own horses and providing all care themselves.
Once the Regional Training Sessions conclude, 16 riders and a select number of stable managers will be invited to attend the National Training Session based on their riding and stable-management skills and potential shown during their Regional Training Session.
Only members between 12 and 25 years of age as of December 1 of the current competition year are eligible for the National Training Session. The dates and location for the 2022 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session will be announced at a later date.
Each USHJA Zone offers a minimum of two grants to EAP participants to help offset the cost of attending a Regional Training Session or the National Training Session. For more information, visit ushja.org/zones, select your home zone, then click on “Grants and Scholarships.” EAP Grant applications also must be completed by April 1.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 26, 2022
Rebranding is a strategy used to update messaging after a business reorientation, to make the brand more relevant to new markets and new audiences, or to showcase the brand under a new parent company.
That should give you the context to understand why as of this evening, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center that we have known since 2006 is now Wellington International, in Wellington, Fla., the municipality that bills itself as “the winter equestrian capital of the world.”
To recap, PBIEC was bought last year by the Global Equestrian Group, whose CEO is Andreas Helgstrand, an Olympic dressage medalist, while Olympic show jumping medalist Ludger Beerbaum is a co-owner.
McLain Ward against the backdrop of the old signage at the International arena. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Palm Beach is one of the world’s most prestigious destinations, so the change in name raised some questions for me, especially since very often, when I look up Wellington on the Internet, I get results listing Wellington, New Zealand. So here’s the answer from the folks who made the decision:
“While the history and status of Palm Beach is recognized, appreciated, and contributed greatly to the previous venue name, Wellington International looks to move forward and continue to bring the Wellington name greater prominence in Florida, the U.S., and around the world. Wellington is now a destination for thousands of equestrians every year and is a reputable name in its own right.”
The rebranding is visible as of tonight in the letters on the bridge above the International arena. In effect, it serves notice that the facility, which has hosted the Winter Equestrian Festival since 1989, will be undergoing major changes.
The new name of the WEF facility was revealed when the white cover was dropped tonight.
Michael Stone, president of Wellington International, said, “We are committed to ‘Setting New Standards’ for our venue, as well as for equestrian sport, guest experiences, entertainment, and innovation.
“While equestrian sport is and will continue to be the main focus at Wellington International, future plans include the versatility to host an assortment of events to broaden horizons outside of the main horse show weeks.”
Alex Matz clearing the new Wellington International fence on Cashew. (Sportfot photo)
Andreas had promised great changes to the venue, originally known as the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The winter shows started at Palm Beach Polo in a far more modest setting under the guidance of the late Gene Mische, who grew the WEF concept exponentially.
He had first seen the Palm Beach Polo property when it was nothing but a lot of palmetto, growing in a field about 40 minutes from Palm Beach. He recalled William Ylvisaker, the developer who started the facility, had painted a picture of a fabulous venue that would offer not only polo, but also magnificent horse shows.
Gene’s first reaction was to wonder whether the entrepreneur “was smoking something,” as the two stood talking among the scraggly plants. But the dream did become amazing reality in a setting that had people flocking to buy homes, show their horses and play polo (even Britain’s Prince Charles showed up there for a match.)
The facility was bought in 2006 by a group led by Mark Bellissimo, which made major changes and did a lot to move it forward. I was talking with Mark shortly after the purchase and mentioned the contributions of Gene in starting the enterprise. Mark noted that while an innovator must be given a lot of credit for starting something, it often requires someone else to take it to the next level. And that is where Andreas and company have come in.
They made some improvements already, with many more on the way. Recently, McLain Ward and I talked about what is happening.
“The changes made so far are things that are hard to see, like the changes of footing in a number of rings and some underground drainage and things that have been let go or not done properly in the past,” McLain told me.
“I hear of great things to come, which will be great for the sport. There’s no shortage of competitors and business and opportunity here. If there’s anywhere in the world that can support a huge investment, it’s Wellington.”
An aerial view of the showgrounds.
McLain, who has talked a bit with Andreas, said of the new owners, “I think they know what they’re doing. They have a good feeling of what the highest standard is. Like everything, it takes a bit of time. I think we’ll see major changes by next year and I think in the next few years it will be completely transitioned.”
An architect’s view of the planned VIP pavilion.
As he pointed out about Wellington International, “It needs to be a world class facility. It’s been let go, it’s been run down for the better part of six to eight years. It’s a tired old house. I’d like to see them develop some of the land in the back, less for real estate, more for the sport, because we’re on a postage stamp here. I know there’s a lot of talk about developing the parking and stabling to more permanent facilities.”
I wondered what pioneers of the sport would think of its current incarnation.
“You can’t imagine not only where Wellington has gone, but the horse business and the sport,” said McLain.
“They set the groundwork and the stage for us to go in that direction. This is a big sport and big industry. The business factor has changed, not just in the running of events. It’s the horse business in general; the level of the business and the numbers, not only in volume, but also in dollar amounts. In 20-30 years it’s exploded. It’s a healthy industry and it’s nice to be part of a healthy industry.”
Want to know more about Andreas? Click here to read a story I did about him and his stable for Horse Sport earlier this month.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 27, 2022
Cassie’s mother, Natasha Brash, gave an update on her daughter, who had throat surgery last week.
As you’ll recall, the 29-year-old professional show jumper fell with her horse in a jump-off at the end of January and suffered a traumatic brain injury and other complications.
Natasha said doctors noticed a blockage they feel might have been caused by the breathing tube administered to Cassie in the ER at the time of the accident. They were concerned that although she can breathe normally right now while making little physical effort, her airway could be compromised when she returns to her regular schedule. So they removed the scar tissue that was in her throat.
This means she will need to keep the trachea another three weeks minimally. However I know many of you are still keeping Cass in your prayers, with that and her medical treatments, she should make a great recovery from the surgery.
Her mothr said Cass has been and will always be heroic, kind, generous, caring, brave, fun and joyful in everything she does. I can only tell you it has been an honor to sit by her side and help her during one of the most challenging times of anyone’s life. Cass had high hopes this summer with many great horses lined up to show, including a new grand prix horse that she was very excited about. However that was not to be, and now she is working day by day to just walk, talk and dress herself.
Being on the sidelines all this time, has given me a new appreciation for the kind of human she is. She fills her entire day with being kind, appreciative, grateful and she is always making sure that I am okay.
Want to send a card? Here is the address:
Cassandra Kahle WFRC108
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 23, 2022
A Maryland barn that has been hard hit by EHV-1 is looking for financial help involved with treating 40 horses, most of which are mild to moderate cases being cared for by staff on site.
“We’re optimistic that most of them will make a full recovery over the next four to six weeks,” said a statement from Meadowbrook Stable, which had a pony euthanized earlier this month after it contracted the infection.
The facility has been following strict testing, quarantine, treatment and biosecurity protocols, including putting up 24 temporary stalls in the indoor arena to quarantine horses with moderate symptoms and separating all horses in the main barn.
They are working closely with the treating veterinarian and scheduling two sets of staff to work around the clock to monitor and assess each horse’s symptoms, including taking temperatures and performing regular neurological exams; administering three types of medications twice daily per horse; disinfecting stalls, buckets and equipment and hand-walking horses.
The facility also has canceled lessons and closed to reduce stress on the horses and promote their recovery. Measures also include canceling horse shows and keeping all horses on site to ensure there is no transmission to other stables.
The expenses from Meadowbrook’s EHV quarantine and response will be more than $85,000. Estimated costs include $18,000 in antiviral and other medications; $35,000 in veterinary bills, $8,580 to set up temporary quarantine stalls in the indoor ring and $25,000 to cover the additional staffing needed to provide round-the-clock care for the horses.
Meadowbrook is seeking donations to help cover costs, including daily exams and medications associated with the EHV outbreak. Meadowbrook is a 501(c)(3) organization and all gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. To donate, click on this link
EHV-1 cropped up in a big way on the West Coast last month, leading to equine euthanizations and cancellation of shows, including May’s Nations Cup in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued an Extension of Recommended Caution for California Equine Events through March 31.
That led to cancellation of Dressage at Southern California Equestrian and postponement until June of Rancho California AHA Spring. The Galway Downs International Horse Trials has revised its schedule and moved to a two-day format at the beginning of April.
As of yesterday, the Desert International Horse Park, which saw the first EHV-1 cases in the state, has no barns under quarantine. The state has officially ended their regulatory oversight of the horse park, according to a statement from the facility.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 1, 2022
The boyfriend of shooting victim Lauren Kanarek continued being questioned by defense lawyer Edward Bilinkas today at dressage trainer Michael Barisone’s attempted murder trial in Morristown, N.J., which got under way Monday and will continue for at least another week.
Robert Goodwin, who often swiveled his chair back and forth during his time on the witness stand, was rather curt in answering some questions, alternating between seeming bored and annoyed. He had as much difficulty remembering things as his girlfriend experienced in the same chair the previous day, and he often needed to read transcripts to confirm his responses.
On pages where the type was small, Goodwin wound up borrowing Bilinkas’ eyeglasses so he could see, which made for an odd repeated interaction between the lawyer and the witness, who wore a sport coat and open-necked shirt.
Bilinkas asked Goodwin whether he got into an argument with farrier Arnie Gervasio on the morning of Aug. 7. 2019, the day of the shooting. First, Goodwin said he didn’t remember seeing the blacksmith at Barisone’s Hawthorne Hill farm in Long Valley, N.J.
Then he was given a text to jog his memory. Once he finished reading the transcript, he stated Gervasio had been scheduled to shoe Lauren’s horses, but Goodwin was informed Barisone had “told him not to shoe our horses anymore.”
When that happened, Bilinkas asked, “Did you make a physical threat to Michael Barisone?” Goodwin replied, “I do not recall, specifically.”
After Goodwin told Kanarek about the blacksmith situation Aug. 7, Bilinkas asked, “Did Lauren Kanarek tell you to `finish the bastard,’ meaning Michael Barisone?” Before Goodwin could reply, the prosecution raised an objection.
When Barisone arrived at the farmhouse for a confrontation that ended in bullets several hours later, Goodwin had been on the phone with his lawyer.
Firearms expert William Stitt in the courtroom with a photo of the Ruger used in the shooting of Lauren Kanarek.
“The purpose of an attorney was to continue to work at the original deal,” said Goodwin, referring to an arrangement under which Kanarek would pay $2,500 a month for board on two horses, the couple wouldn’t have to pay rent for their living quarters and Goodwin would do carpentry and repair work in the home and stables. But Goodwin also expected to be paid for those efforts, with various amounts of money mentioned in court.
“On the day of the shooting, the farmhouse was far from being completed,” noted Bilinkas.
As the lawyer observed, by Aug. 7, “everything had deteriorated to the point of no return.” The friction between Kanarek and Goodwin on the one hand and Barisone and his girlfriend, Mary Haskins Gray on the other, had reached a level of intensity that made the atmosphere at the farm toxic.
So when Barisone asked after he came to the farmhouse right before the shooting, “How can we work this out?” Goodwin responded that he had brought lawyers into it, “so lawyers can handle it.”
But Goodwin added, “in my mind, there was nothing to work out.”
Goodwin said he thought Barisone’s intention in coming and suggesting there could be a solution “was to pull us out of the house so he could shoot us.”
After Kanarek was shot twice, Goodwin “dove” into the house to escape a bullet aimed at him. It shattered a pane in a door, as the jury saw in a photo when a detective who specializes in crime scene analysis commented on the shell’s trajectory.
Goodwin and Kanarek then moved to restrain Barisone, with Goodwin punching him in the head while Kanarek reached to grab his gun hand. Goodwin put a chokehold on Barisone, who fell on the ground with Goodman on top of him, which is where the police found them when Kanarek, bleeding profusely, dialed 911.
She was transported to Morristown Medical Center, where she was attended to by Dr. Mark Widmann, a thoracic surgeon who said her injuries would have been fatal if not treated.
He noted that when he first saw Kanarek, the trauma service said her heart already had stopped once. Widmann clamped her aorta to raise her blood pressure and keep her alive. She had two sites of injury to the lung itself.
The shooting had also caused an injury to a breast implant, said the physician, who removed that item. Kanarek was on a ventilator for eight or 10 days during her 19-day stay in the Intensive Care Unit, he said.
During today’s proceedings, Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor threatened to close the courtroom to the public if whispering in the gallery didn’t stop. He explained he’s worried about distracting the jury, which due to Covid restrictions is not confined to the jury box. Rather, several rows of the courtroom are filled with the juror overflow, so members of the panel can be socially distanced.
Keeping a firm hand on the proceedings, he already mandated the shutdown of chat rooms on internet sites livestreaming the testimony.
Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn is planning to wrap up his case Monday, with Bilinkas starting Barisone’s defense later that day. He is pursing an insanity and self-defense strategy. There has been much discussion about recordings of conversations at the farm with devices owned by Goodwin and Kanarek. Expect the importance of those to come into clearer focus as the case proceeds next week.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 23, 2022
After decades running her Knightsbridge training stable in Monmouth County, N.J., Mary Knowlton has moved on to an administrative job at Princeton Show Jumping.
She acted on a long-term realization when an opportunity presented itself, making a career change just as many in the equestrian world will consider for their enterprises when they head into their 60s and the right time comes.
Presenting awards is the glamorous side of Mary Knowlton’s job as USHJA president. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
“Ultimately, long term I knew that I was going to have to transition out of my business,” said Mary (formerly Babick). She has huge demands on her time, as she serves a second term as president of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association until 2024.
As is often the case, however, things didn’t go exactly the way she had planned for the future of her business.
“My hope was that I was going to transition out, and (the assistant trainer) Julia (Hogan) was going to transition in,” she said.
But after she sent Julia to Florida for the winter circuit, where she worked with Princeton’s owner, Andrew Philbrick, and trainer Sara Wayda, the plan changed.
Andrew, who looked at Mary and Julia as a pair in terms of employment, had a place for both of them in his business. And for Mary, the time was right.
“The world is changing so fast. The more I talk to my friends who are my age or older,” they told her, “divesting yourself of your business frees you to do greater things, because you’re not weighed down by a payroll or paying workman’s comp.”
She said that the more Andrew pressed her to work with him, “the more interesting the job became to me. It was interesting because he was asking me to do something I had never done before, and I loved that.”
Mary Knowlton spends a lot of time in meetings in her role as president of the USHJA. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Knightsbridge is closing at the end of the month, barn sale items have been advertised on line and 25-year employee Sarah Paulson is taking a break.
“I have been within the same basic structure since 1987 when I moved up here,” said Mary, who came from the Washington DC area and lives in Freehold. She’s still doing some teaching and is learning Mandarin, inspired by the multi-cultural atmosphere in the Princeton area.
“As much as in some ways it’s been stressful, deconstructing my business into its pieces, I absolutely love my new job, said Mary, whose work involves compliance and risk management across Andrew’s businesses.
For example, the Skillman showgrounds in Montgomery Township, Somerset County, where most of Andrew’s shows are held, is preserved farmland. One of Mary’s jobs is “making sure we are always in compliance with the state Agricultural Development Committee. I go to work and there’s always something really fun and interesting.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 15, 2022
Sadly, another professional equestrian has suffered a serious injury in competition, just as Cassandra Kahle did in January.
Cassie is in rehab for treatment of a traumatic brain injury, but last weekend, show jumper David Beisel suffered a terrible fall during a class at the World Equestrian Center in Ohio.
In a March 22 update, Paige Beisel stated: “David is getting out of the ICU (at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio) and moving to his rehab facility in the next day or two. He’s improving steadily and continues to inspire with his attitude and work ethic. His hands aren’t quite up for texting yet and he wants his friends to know he will be in touch soon!
“Meanwhile, Cooper and Izzy visit here each day and we are holding strong. Last night we had a “family dinner” in his room and watched Wheel of Fortune. If you know us well, then you know that show, along with Jeopardy, is a family favorite… We miss our family dinners, and they are a requirement at our house. This has glued us together. We are stronger for it. David’s recovery is going to take some time. That’s the hard part… a lot is unknown, but so far, he’s only getting better and better. He’s moving quite a bit more each day, and went to the hospital physical therapy gym today on special permission to practice his moves.
“Please continue to pray for his healing. He can do this! David and I continue to be blown away by the generosity of everyone who has contributed in so many ways to help us through this uncertainty… be it meals for my kids, kind words, donations to his go fund me…. thank you. We don’t know what else to say. It’s the most amazing feeling to be held in such kindness.”
T.J. Campbell, WEC general manager, noted, “David is a lifelong professional of this sport and has dedicated his entire life to his equestrian career; and is by far one of the kindest, hardest-working professionals in the industry. David rides and trains to support his business; his wife, Paige, who competes as an amateur rider; his daughter, Izzy, and son, Cooper, who currently ride as juniors within our sport.”
“David will require surgery on several discs and ligaments in his neck, and the amount of nerve damage is still unclear. Thankfully, the spinal cord does not appear to have suffered damage from what we know today,” stated T.J., who started a GoFundMe (see below) to help with the medical expenses associated with this accident and the family’s daily living costs.
“As many of you know, David owns and operates a boarding and training facility here in Ohio, and his career is solely based on his ability to ride and teach. The amount of time David will have to spend in the hospital is currently unknown, but the recovery time will likely be extensive once he is released. It is still very unclear what David’s return to work situation will look like.”
The World Equestrian Center Ohio is putting together a plan to offer some events for equestrians to show their support for David in the coming weeks. More information on those opportunities will be forthcoming.
To donate, click on this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 19, 2022
Imagine what it’s like to be in war-torn Ukraine, worrying about not only the safety of your family, but also your horses. The U.S. Equestrian Federation has joined the FEI in raising funds to help with this crisis, with 100 percent of the money going toward the cause. For information or to donate, go to this link.
To understand how dire the situation is, and to contribute through the Ukraine Equestrian Federation, read that organization’s account of what is happening:
All at the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation have been touched by the amazing response to our calls for help and donations to our www.helpukrainehorses.eu fund, the kindness of equestrian communities across the world has been generous and instant. The situation in our country for equines is exceptionally challenging and constantly evolving and we thank everyone for their patience. We are beginning to see our collaborative efforts with a number of organizations beginning to have an impact for those who need help.
We are extremely grateful to the many breeding societies, equestrian federations and charities such as the FEI, the Finnish Equestrian Federation, British Equestrian, World Horse Welfare and individuals from many countries around the world for their ongoing support to help with a hugely complex operation in what is essentially a war zone.
Aid administration: We continue to need aid and now supply channels are being established. We ask all of our supporters to follow very clear guidance to make sure support is handled in the most effective way – for you and for us to facilitate getting aid into the country. We would ask that you please refer to our website www.helpukrainehorses.eu to see the latest logistical advice as these logistics are evolving all the time in this dynamic situation.
What we do ask please, is to try very hard to coordinate with fellow donors to supply at least larger quantities of feed, packed on euro pallets and following the guidance on the website. Trucks with larger quantity of aid are more efficient to deliver and distribute. They can go directly to the border with Ukraine and from the border to the warehouse in Lviv. Only small loads/shipments can be brought to Lesna Wola and will be used for evacuated horses staying in Lesna Wola.
Please do not simply turn up at the Polish/Ukrainian border with stock/aid. There are currently very long lines of lorries and correct accreditation is required, without it you could face long delays. We are working on setting up a rail depot in Berlin, Germany which will take aid directly into the heart of Ukraine. Only full, wrapped pallets will be accepted here. Please follow our website and social media for progress updates on this.
Equine assistance:Through help from the FEI Solidarity Fund, we are setting up a stable facility at Lviv with 40 boxes to house horses in transit as we begin to evacuate more from danger. We continue to work with a number of individuals on both side the border to establish stop-over locations for horses. Some will remain in the west of Ukraine and some will move further west into neighboring counties.
There is also a requirement to establish quarantine stations for horses to complete their health requirements prior to their onward journey. We have had very generous offers from a number of logistics/horse transport companies all over Europe, but crossing the border into Ukraine remains complex for a number of reasons and the logistics of moving horses is extremely challenging.
Michaylo Parkhomchuk, Secretary General of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation said; “Our small team has been inundated with messages, emails and calls and we’re very humbled by the support we’ve had but would ask everyone is patient while we try to keep up with our inbox. The actual situation is that we are forced to act during war and in war zone, as Lviv has already been bombed several times, there are no safe zones anymore and there are no guarantees that logistics or any services in Ukraine will work as intended. The ongoing war makes even the simplest things difficult. This will not deter us from the absolute focus to assist as many horses and owners in our country as we possibly can during these dark times. РАЗОМ ПЕРЕМОЖЕМО!!!”
We’ll issue a weekly update of what has been achieved and how those who want to provide support can best help with clear instructions and guidance. That way the aid is expedited to where it’s needed as smoothly as possible. We’re still asking for financial donations which will help with the evacuation and housing of equines via our Charity Foundation or a trusted official fundraiser in your country. On behalf of the Ukrainian horses and their people, we thank everyone for their generosity and kindness.
