by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2024
After nearly five years of tumult that included a high-profile trial, jail time and stays in psychiatric institutions, a court hearing this week indicated dressage trainer Michael Barisone may be a step closer to resuming his life with horses.
Since being discharged from Greystone Psychiatric Hospital in November, Barisone has been free to travel around New Jersey as he wishes, but is prohibited from leaving the state while he is under supervision of the court.
He wants to move to Loxahatchee, Fla., where he owns a farm with his fiancée, Lara Osborne, so he can work with his horses that are stabled there and continue the relationship with his partner.
In 2022, Barisone was found not guilty by reason of insanity on a second-degree attempted murder charge involving Lauren Kanarek, a former student and tenant he was charged with shooting twice in August 2019. He has stated he has no recollection of the incident that transpired after Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, clashed with him repeatedly.
Barisone, the alternate for the 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team, has been subject to periodic Krol hearings. They are held to judge the progress of a criminal defendant who has been confined to a psychiatric institution following a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
During Tuesday’s Krol hearing in Morristown, N.J., before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor, Barisone’s lawyers, Ed Bilinkas and Chris Deininger, asked that their client be allowed to go to Florida.
Michael Barisone and attorney Ed Bilinkas. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m not disinclined to do that, I’ll be honest with you,” said the judge.
“I think it’s important for Mr. Barisone to get on with his life. But I also have to recognize there are dangers here…this was an exceedingly violent offense that almost cost the life of Miss Kanarek.”
The judge also pointed out that she lives near Barisone’s Florida farm and is involved with the equestrian scene, which prompts him to be concerned about what might happen if Barisone encounters her in the area.
“How is that going to end up? Is that likely?” asked Taylor. “I don’t know.”
Dr. Jonathan Wall, a psychologist who has been treating Barisone in New Jersey, was questioned by both Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn and Barisone’s lawyers about his client’s state of mind.
Barisone had been abused as a child. When Barisone was dealing with Kanarek, he suffered from delusional disorder and believed she was trying to kill him, a psychologist said during his November hearing.
Wall said Barisone currently has no symptoms of clinical depression, but was sad about what has happened to his career since the shooting, telling the doctor, “This would have been my year.”
Under questioning by Bilinkas, Wall agreed that Barisone has admitted responsibility for the shooting and is remorseful for his conduct. He also agreed that after therapy, he saw “no further signs of any delusional thinking” and it is unlikely that Barisone “would suffer another delusional event” like the one that ended in tragedy.
The psychologist said in his report to the court he addressed “managing the risk,” but did not administer a risk assessment.
“I did not find Dr. Wall’s testimony particularly helpful,” the judge said later in the proceedings, noting there was nothing in his report about “dangerousness.”
“That’s the whole purpose of this,” the judge commented.
Barisone’s team is proposing that if he moved to Florida, he would be treated there by another psychologist, Dr. David Landry.
Looking at Landry’s resume, Taylor noted that he does evaluations of clients and said it appeared he has been involved in the court system “and may have a better understanding of what is required here,” citing “some assessment of continued dangerousness.”
Osborne, who got to know Barisone in 2018 when her daughter began riding with him, testified about Barisone’s living conditions in a gated community, where their farm is also gated. In response to a question from Schellhorn, she said there are no guns on the property.
Judge Stephen Taylor and Lara Osborne. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Taylor is concerned about “the authority of the court” once Barisone leaves New Jersey.
He said he is not at the point where he wants to give up jurisdiction, and feels it is necessary to have a mechanism in place that would allow the court to have Barisone brought back to New Jersey if, for instance, he stops going to the doctor in Florida.
At some juncture, Taylor said, “if he continues to progress, maybe we’ll get to the point where supervision is not necessary. We’re not at that point right now.”
Schellhorn asked the court to continue Barisone on his therapy and the current set of conditions, seeing no reason to change them. If Barisone violated conditions or began to exhibit signs of additional psychosis in Florida, the prosecutor was not sure what the mechanism would be to bring him back to New Jersey. At this point, risk “does appear to be relatively low,” but he noted Barisone is not in proximity to Kanarek. That risk would increase if he were to move to Florida, said Schellhorn.
Bilinkas noted for Barisone to be separated from Osborne and other family members in Florida “could have a deleterious effect if this continues,” were he “not allowed to go to his own home.”
The lawyer contends “he needs to be able to make a living, he needs to be able to help his fiancée” and without being in Florida, “it will be more difficult for him to survive financially.”
The judge said he is not inclined to release Barisone without supervision. Taylor asked for briefs from the attorneys about how Barisone legally could be returned to New Jersey from Florida. The judge also added he would like a certification from Landry that he is willing to take the case. Another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30.
Meanwhile, Barisone, who will be 60 next month, has been living in Readington at the home of a former client, doing repairs for her, working on his collection of old trucks and cars, writing a book and exercising. He would like to be able to visit his friends in other states “and just go back to living,” he said during an interview outside the courtroom.
The trainer has not competed at FEI level since 2016. He is under an interim suspension from SafeSport and the U.S. Equestrian Federation, pending the outcome of a formal investigation and final decision, which means he can’t attend shows or teach.
His dream?
“I want to ride a horse in the World Cup or the WEG (World Equestrian Games) one more time,” he said.
“That will be enough.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 15, 2024
Amateur hunter riders competing in everything from the 2-foot, 6-inch low adults up to 3-6 amateur owners will be able to vie for year- end honors in 2025 at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Assocation’s new championship.
Riders can start earning points Dec. 1 for the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, set to debut in the 2025 competition year. Other divisions eligible are the 3-foot adult amateur and the 3-3- Amateur-owner.
“Amateurs represent over 40 percent of the membership, which is by far the largest component of USHJA members,” said USHJA Amateur Task Force Chair Tracey Weinberg.
“As an amateur hunter exhibitor myself, I am thrilled to have a championship solely dedicated to the Amateur Hunter competitors and am proud to be a part of the process of developing it over the past several years.”
The competition will offer four separate Championships. Each division will be conducted in three phases: Under Saddle, First Hunter Round and a Classic Round for the 2’6” and 3’ sections or a Handy Round for the 3’3” and 3’6” sections.
Riders can qualify for the championships through both USEF-licensed Channel I or Channel II competitions by earning champion or reserve champion at one competition in their division. Additionally, horses can qualify if they are ranked in the top 10 of their USHJA Zone Horse of the Year Standings in Channel I or Channel II. Qualifying for the 2025 USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships begins December 1, 2024.
The dates and locations for the inaugural USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships will be announced in the coming months. To learn more about the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, visit ushja.org/amateurhunter.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 24, 2024
Will Coleman will be riding his back-up mount, Diabolo, rather than the more experienced Off the Record with the U.S. eventing team in the Olympics, where competition begins Saturday. No reason was given for the substitution announced Wednesday.
Will Coleman and Diabolo. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Diabolo was a direct reserve for Will, who will ride on the team with Boyd Martin and Caroline Pamukcu. Diabolo was impressive in the Cosequin 4-star at the Kentucky Horse Park in April, when he was the winner. Although he was sixth in dressage, Diabolo was the only double-clear on cross-country and finished double clear in the show jumping as well.
This was one of several substitutions before the Games get under way. Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz are out for Germany, replaced by the first woman to win individual Olympic gold, Julia Krajewski, on her Aachen winner Nickel. Bertram Allen is out as Ireland’s alternate following injury to Pacino Amiro, and Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights is in. Ingrid Klimke will miss her fifth Olympics after injury to Franziskus, but like Bertram, she was an alternate. Sönke Rothenberger and Fendi are replacing her.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2024
The U.S. squad for the Paralympics in Paris next month is a strong one that could well find itself laden with medals at the conclusion of the Games.
“Heading into the Paralympic Games with the highest-ever scoring team in U.S. history in the run-up to Paris 2024 is beyond our wildest imagination,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline.
“It’s a very proud moment for the U.S. with all the work that has been invested into this program over the past several years. It’s our collective goal to honor this historical occurrence with pride and produce results that make our country proud.”
Those selected were announced Thursday. They include Rebecca Hart with Floratina, owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young. Fiona Howard will be riding Diamond Dunes owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty.
Also named were Kate Shoemaker with Vianne, owned by Nocordia USA and cared for by Katherine Barrett, and Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H, owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo.
As Rebecca mentioned, “The four of us are the figureheads that are out on the field of play. I want to thank all of the people on our U.S. support team, as well as everyone on each of our own individual support teams for getting us to this point. Without all of you working just as hard as we do on the field of play, we would not be able to achieve our goals. Your effort and work does not go unnoticed.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2024
A two-way communication platform will be launched on Cornell Equine as its first phase of development, inviting horse owners, trainers and veterinarians to discuss their most pressing issues, ultimately guiding future research and education programs.
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) has contributed $25,000 to support the development of the cross-campus program, rooted in Cornell University’s legacy of scientific research clinical care and education. Based at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell Equine aims to advance equine health and education through enhanced collaboration among interdisciplinary teams.
“We are so grateful for the support of NYTHA in helping us bring Cornell Equine to fruition,” said Dr. Mandi de Mestre, professor of equine medicine with the Baker Institute for Animal Health and Department of Biomedical Sciences at CVM.
“This gift will support us to take the first steps in leveraging the exceptional breadth of skills of Cornell faculty to tackle novel research questions in equine health and safety and build leadership capacity for the future. A coordinated equine program also will bolster the University’s efforts to recruit and retain the best veterinary students into equine practice through enhanced and coordinated access to educational opportunities, faculty support and industry.”
“The College of Veterinary Medicine has a long-standing history of driving research and clinical results that have had lasting impact on the Thoroughbred industry and equine health and care,” said Tina Marie Bond, president of the NYTHA.
“We are pleased to be able to support the college as it builds upon this legacy.”
Cornell Equine will enhance dissemination of research results to deliver benefits nationally to equine management and clinical services. This initial phase is anticipated to be available to the equine field at large by the summer of 2025.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2024
Want to try riding with the Amwell Valley Hounds? Here’s an opportunity to find out more about what it’s like.
They are offering a daylong clinic July 27 with an agenda of learning and fun. Ride with the hounds behind the Amwell huntsman, and go cross-country with a fieldmaster. Those activities will be followed by a luncheon and seminar on foxhounds, hunting etiquette and turnout at the kennels, 290 Rileyville Road, East Amwell, N.J. Jump heights range from logs to 3-feet, and jumping is optional.
Participants can attend any of the sessions, or all of them. To register, go to www.avhounds.org and navigate to events/hunt clinic. Those interested can also contact AVH Honorary Secretary Sue DeHaven at 908-338-1833 or avh.secretary@gmail.com.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 10, 2024
Can you imagine a country that leaves a world champion off its Olympic team?
That’s what Britain has done for its Paris eventing squad, putting Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir as its alternate combination. Britain announced Wednesday who will ride in the Games and who will be the alternates for its Olympic squad.
In my mind, the clear favorites for eventing team gold, Britain will be defending its Olympic title from Tokyo with two members of that squad, Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), as well as newly crowned world number one Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo). Ros was the traveling reserve for Tokyo, the position Yasmin is in now.
In the dressage, there was no question that Carl Hester, the architect of his nation’s rise to dressage stardom, would be on the team with Fame. Of course, Charlotte Dujardin, who will be Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in any sport if she gets a medal with Imhotep, will be riding, along with world champion Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Fry on the long-striding Glamourdale. There was no way they were leaving Lottie off the team; she was a big star with the black stallion at Aachen last week.
The promising Becky Moody and her Jagerbomb will be the alternates.
Paris is the fifth Olympic Games for Tokyo individual gold medalist Ben Maher (Point Break), and he is joined by Tokyo Olympians Scott Brash (Hello Jefferson) and Harry Charles (Romeo). The reserve is Joe Stockdale (Cacherel), whose father, Tim, represented Britain in Hong Kong at the Beijing Games in 2008.
Team GB selected equestrian athletes (L-R) Ben Maher, Yasmin Ingham, Laura Collett, Scott Brash, Charlotte Fry, Rosalind Canter, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Harry Charles, Becky Moody, Joseph Stockdale, Tom McEwen ( Photo Jon Stroud)
Helen Nicholls, the equestrian team leader, commented; “I’m exceptionally proud of the 12 athlete combinations and their connections who will travel to Paris across the three disciplines of equestrian. We have an exciting balance of experience, talent and potential, and we head to the Games in a strong position, and with medal ambitions. The hours of preparation, enormous sacrifice and total dedication will now be put to the ultimate test. The teams behind the athletes – both equine and human – have left no stone unturned in their quest to support them to their very best performances.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 11, 2024
Rumors have been circulating that the timing malfunctioned during the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen on Sunday, and that runner-up McLain Ward actually had a faster time with Ilex than the rider who was declared the winner, Germany’s Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria.
But you know how rumors go; they may have a seed of truth, then they often head south.
McLain graciously ironed this one out on social media, saying, “We want to thank our colleagues, supporters and fans who brought to our attention their concerns regarding timing irregularities in this video of the Grand Prix of Aachen.”
McLain and Ilex in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. (U.S. Equestrian Photo)
“In conjunction with the CHIO Aachen organizers, their ground jury and our federation, these discrepancies have been fully and transparently investigated,” McLain stated.
“While it is clear the visual timing failed, it has been proven to our satisfaction that the computer timing record is correct and my final time was 39.86, .09 behind Andre Thieme and his phenomenal mare DSP Chakaria. (read the story of the class
here)
“Congratulations to them and on their incredible win and thank you to CHIO Aachen and its officials for working diligently to resolve these questions,” McLain concluded.
CHIO Aachen had not changed the times in the results portion of its website as of Thursday afternoon.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 12, 2024
The U.S. finished close to the podium Friday in the Falsterbo, Sweden, show jumping Nations Cup, just as a different American team had done at Rome in May. The fourth-place Cup result was the best for a U.S. squad since Rome.
The home side, featuring world number one Henrik von Eckermann (without his number one horse, King Edward) won in a jump-off with Germany after both nations finished with 8 penalties. Emma Emanuelsson with Canbella Blue PS had a knockdown in the tiebreaker. But Germany’s jump-off representative, Sandra Auffarth–who is better known as an eventer — dropped three rails to put her country second.
Ireland was third with two of its Olympic riders, Daniel Coyle and Cian O’Connor on the squad, but neither was aboard their Olympic mount. Ireland had 12 penalties, as did the U.S. squad, but Ireland’s total time was faster.
Spencer Smith on Keeneland was the only double-clear for the U.S. team. Mimi Gochman had 4 and 5 with Cosmos BH, while Adrienne Sternlicht dropped a pole in each round with Origa V/H Zuid-Pajottenland. Aaron Vale’s score was 0/4 with Carissimo 25.
Spencer Smith and Keeneland. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
“Overall, it was a good day, considering we came to Falsterbo with a mix of young horses, as well as the youngest rider in the class,” said Coach Robert Ridland, referring to Mimi.
“All gained the experience that is necessary for the future, and needless to say, Spencer kept us in the game all afternoon with his brilliant double clean.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 8, 2024
So much went on at Aachen while it showcased five disciplines, with the Rolex Grand Prix of show jumping being the big news (our piece is the main story on this website) as the International Equestrian Festival ended its 10-day run.
But we shouldn’t overlook the three 5-star victories by Isabell Werth, who confirmed her relationship with new ride Wendy de Fontaine at the show. She ended with a fantastic freestyle, in which the lyrics of one of Barry Manilow’s most famous songs, where the chorus begins with the line, “Oh Mandy” became “Oh Wendy.”
The performance edged close to 90 percent, marked at 89.095. The audience whistled and applauded in rhythm with Wendy’s foot-perfect piaffe and passage on the final centerline, a test rewarded with a standing ovation.
“Today was our day,” said Isabell.
“We grow closer together, day by day. Wendy was really totally cool, although it was so loud. She simply said: `Tell me what to do,’ and then she did it. I have been here so many times, but today was the best day ever.”
Isabell Werth bows her head after a fabulous freestyle that showed why she should be on the German Olympic team with Wendy de Fontaine.
There was no question when the German team for Paris was named that she would be on it with Wendy, along with world number one Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB, who did not compete at Aachen. The only question was whether it would be Frederic Wandres and Blue Tooth Old or Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus for the final spot.
Frederic, second in the freestyle on 83.010 got the nod and Ingrid, third in the freestyle with 81.385 after her horse broke into a canter at the start of the extended trot, is reserve for the Olympics. She had said after Paris she would go back to concentrating on her main interest, eventing.
The highest-placed U.S. combination in the freestyle was Olympic reserve rider Endel Ots with Zen Elite’s Bohemian, who finished fourteenth on 74.665.
“Bohemian again gave me his everything, thank you my friend for taking me on this journey with you,” said Endel, who had never ridden in Big Tour international Grand Prix before this year.
“I truly couldn’t be any more proud of you and I am nothing but honored to be your partner.”
Anna Buffini, the only other U.S. rider in the freestyle, was fourteenth on Fiontini with a score of 74.065.
“Getting closer to where we want to be with each test,” she pointed out.
