by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 21, 2022
You know the ASPCA Maclay, the U.S Equestrian Federation Medal and the USEF Talent Search–they are the equitation finals that get the most publicity.
But what about the American National Riding Commission Championships, which wrapped up last Saturday at the Centenary University Equestrian Center in Long Valley, N.J.? It has a written test component worth 5 percent of an exhibitor’s score, which is unique for a championship. Its three additional phases include a segment presented on a derby field over natural obstacles (30 percent), a “program ride”/flat phase with two jumps (35 percent) and a medal round in a ring (30 percent).
Based on the American forward riding system, the ANRC tournament offers an all-around test that goes deeper than the way a rider looks on a horse and meets the fences. Its roots are in the teaching of Capt. Vladimir Littauer, a Russian emigre, cavalry school veteran and author. U.S. Olympic show jumping gold medalists Bill Steinkraus and Joe Fargis are among the prominent riders who have been influenced by Littauer. The list also includes Bernie Traurig, winner of both the AHSA Medal (as it was called before the current century) and ASPCA Maclay.
He was a mentor of Paul Cronin, the former director of riding at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, who carried on his work and theories, writing what is in effect an update of Littauer’s 1951 classic, “Common Sense Horsemanship.” His consequential 2004 volume is “Schooling and Riding the Sporthorse: A Modern American Hunter Jumper System.”
Centenary had a big victory in the meet, as its national collegiate team won for the first time since 2016. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which had won every ANRC national championship since then, took second place with one of the of the two teams it fielded at the national level during the championship. Centenary’s novice collegiate team finished second overall in its division.
“I appreciate this competition because it has the four different phases. I feel it encompasses not only good riding but also good horsemanship,” said Kelly Munz, chair of Centenary’s department of equine studies.
The judges, Scott Hofstetter and Lynn Caristo Forgione, are nationally recognized and top class. Courses were designed by Tim Cleary, a Centenary faculty member.
Unlike the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association competition, where catch-riding is part of the test, ANRC competitors can ride their own horses, or horses they have ridden over a period of time.
Each of Centenary’s three national team members spent about a month with the horses they rode in the competitions, being involved in their care as well as riding them.
In contrast to what happens with IHSA, “It’s much more of a partnership,” said Tara Clausen, who has coached the ANRC team with Michael Dowling for 20 years, is a director at large for ANRC and also served as meet director for the show.
“It goes right back to what we’re teaching in the classroom,” said Tara, noting the fact that both Centenary’s national and novice teams won the written phase “is pretty special to us. It shows the payoff of the academic side of our program. As we progress through the week through the other phases, it demonstrates our basis in developing effective riders.”
Those selected for the ANRC team are what she and Michael believe are “our top riders at this level. This competition exemplifies the true training and riding partnership that someone who might be stepping out as professional might be very well-skilled in.”
The written test involved questions on health and first aid, in addition to theory about forward riding from ANRC, such as use of the aids. Forward riding has a lot of basics in stabilization of the horse, or balance, according to Tara, who also coaches Centenary’s hunter/jumper team.
“It’s a progression, very much about having the horses be relaxed and stabilized and happy in their jobs. It focuses more on the quality of the horse’s way of going and their level of relaxation, versus just getting to the ribbons.”
Michael said it involves having a lighter seat going to the jumps, riding a balanced horse in self-carriage, cantering horses up and downhill.
“In the equitation world, where do you get a chance to ride outside of a ring?” he asked, noting there are only a couple of major shows where that happens.
“For college kids who may not get to that level, it’s so unique and special.”
Sophomore Benjamin Hoban, 20, of Webster, N.Y., who rode on the winning national squad with Haylie Kerstetter and Morgan Munz, Kelly Munz’ daughter, called ANRC “a super-cool experience. The derby phase is awesome, super fun.”
Benjamin Hoban on Qirius. (Photo by Gianna Terranova Photography)
The horse to which he was assigned, Qirius, became his focus as he clipped, bathed and groomed him to get him looking sharp for the competition. A junior hunter rider who had competed at the National Horse Show in that division, and also has ridden in junior equitation, he noted ANRC was a completely different type of experience.
“I like the aspect that you’re selected to represent your school. It makes the riding, which traditionally is an individual sport, a team sport. It was a great feeling to bring it home to the school. It was a fun group of people to do it with.”
Haylie rode and took care of Houdini, a Hanoverian who is her favorite in the Centenary string.
“The horses were completely our responsibility, grooming and conditioning them. It was really nice to spend all that time with him getting him ready for the competition, physically and mentally,” said Haylie, who comes from Coatesville, Pa.
Haylie Kerstetter on Houdini. (Photo by Giana Terranova Photography)
The 21-year-old co-captain of Centenary’s hunter/jumper team will graduate in May and already is applying for jobs as an assistant trainer. She thinks being part of the team will help her with that and branching into marketing as well.
“It looks really good (on a resume) because people understand it’s not just a riding competition. It shows you’re a little more well-rounded than just getting on and jumping one course and winning one class,” said Haylie. She didn’t do the big eq prior to college, when she rode on the local circuit had a mixed breed horse “the kind of horse you could do anything with.”
Haylie noted how special it is that all the horses have been donated to Centenary.
“It’s really awesome that people trust us with these horses. They’re such amazing quality and they go to the show and look amazing next to these horses leased from a show barn. We’re really grateful.”
Morgan rode Assured, who was donated via top hunter rider Amanda Steege. In preparation for the competition, “there definitely was a lot of extra time in the saddle,” she noted.
Morgan Munz on Assured. (Photo by Giana Terranova Photography)
There also was a lot of extra time focusing on preparing for the written segment.
“We definitely had to study the week before and the week of,” she said.
She was impressed about the championships when she realized how many riders she knows once were a part of it.
“Researching it when I was preparing for the competition, you look online at all these people I see in the real world, and I’m like,`Oh they did ANRC.’
“I liked the emphasis on the people who created forward riding and going back to the roots of all of that, and why ANRC was founded,” said Morgan.
“It has a specific goal of encouraging forward riding and soft riding, being a partner with your horse.”
The 20-year-old junior someday would like her own business involved with training and sales horses.
Coach Michael is a fan of the derby phase, noting “it’s a little old school. Our kids don’t really have an opportunity as junior riders to ride on uneven terrain; they don’t understand the concept of cantering up the hill or balancing down the hill or jumping off a bank. I always feel excited when I see the kids go out there and have a great time. I think that’s really an ultimate test. The intent is that they’ve prepared these horses to be balanced.
“There’s a purpose to the sequence of these phases, hoping that on the final day we’ve prepared them well for the medal (phase). It’s fun for our college kids because it’s not the same old catch riding. I love it as a trainer, the program ride is really conducive to setting them up for good stuff. The more you teach the philosophy and the system, the more it makes sense. It puts everything in an order.”
The Centenary winning national team of Benjamin Hoban, Morgan Munz and Haylie Kerstetter with coaches Michael Dowling and Tara Clausen. (Photo by Giana Terranova Photography)
The competition was “a real even playing field,” Michael pointed out, because the home team did not have the advantage of being able to school on the derby field after snow and rain had made it too wet to ride on until the weekend of the competition.
Kelly noted the national victory is “very exciting for us or any school that has an equine studies program when our students do well both on the riding and written phase, because we’re trying to produce professionals who are well-rounded. So it’s an acknowledgement of the good work that we’re all doing as schools.”
Centenary, which won the zone and regional competitions for IHSA, now gears up for that organization’s finals May 5-8 in Harrisburg, Pa.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 19, 2022
If you want a deeper understanding of the Michael Barisone attempted murder case, there are two movies you should see.
One is Pacific Heights (1990), starring Michael Keaton as a tenant in an escalating dispute with his landlords that ended in violence. The other is the 1959 courtroom classic, “Anatomy of a Murder,” with Jimmy Stewart in the lead role as the lawyer for an accused murderer who said he did not remember the shooting and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Both these films will ring a bell after watching the Barisone trial on the livestream.
The three-week trial in Morristown, N.J., offered as much drama as either of the movies because it was happening in real life. Thousands of people followed it closely, and many were not shy about voicing their opinions in a continuing dialogue on Facebook.
Michael Barisone in court. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The result is that if you asked at random who is the USA’s best-known dressage rider, it wouldn’t be a member of the Tokyo Olympics silver medal team, or Laura Graves, the only American ever to top the world rankings in the discipline. Today there is only one answer: Michael Barisone.
He was charged with attempted murder in the Aug. 7, 2019 shooting of Lauren Kanarek, his boarder, tenant and student at Hawthorne Hill in Long Valley, N.J. Barisone was trying to evict Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, after his relationship with the couple soured amidst thousands of posts on social media, having his conversations recorded and fearing for his life.
Despite the jury last Thursday finding him not guilty by reason of insanity with respect to the shooting of Kanarek, and an outright not guilty decision on the prosecution’s claim that he attempted to shoot Goodwin, Barisone still isn’t out of the woods.
He has yet to be transferred from the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown, N.J., to the Ann Klein Forensic Center in Trenton, where he will undergo evaluation to determine whether he is a danger to himself or the community, needs treatment or if he can be released under certain conditions. A hearing on the findings is set for May 17, though if his transfer is delayed, that could be pushed back.
Meanwhile, his expenses are mounting. His farm in Loxahatchee, Fla., continues to operate, but without him there to teach, it isn’t running at its full potential. His legal fees are not at an end, because he is being sued by Kanarek.
To help out, his partner Lara Osborne has started a Go Fund Me page at gofundme.com/f/help-michael-barisone-rebuild-his-life. It went active this morning. She said so many people had come to her wanting to help Barisone that she decided to institute the page. The goal at the moment is to raise $300,000. While others have helped out to this point, she is footing many bills herself.
Lara Osborne. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lara, the owner of a tack shop business whose daughter, Jordan, was a working student for the trainer, explains her involvement with him this way:
“I stepped up to help a friend in need when others ran away. Over time, that friendship grew into much more. I am proud to say Michael Barisone is my best friend and my life partner.
“The past month has been sheer hell; I have watched the person that I love be torn apart, all of his mental health issues thrust out in the public for all to see, and all of his deeply private and personal fears exposed,” she stated on Facebook.
“But he survived, and the truth is starting to come out. Last Thursday, he was vindicated and now he can start the healing process and hopefully come home soon.Thank you too everyone that has been so supportive of Michael. He needs you all now more than ever.”
Michael Barisone, the alternate on the 2008 Olympic team of Debbie McDonald, Courtney King-Dye and Steffen Peters. (Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
Those who wish to write to Barisone can do so via defense attorney Ed Bilinkas. Letters should be addressed this way: M. Barisone C/O Bilinkas Edward J., 415 State Route 10,STE #1, Randolph, N.J. 07869
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 15, 2022
Two-time Olympic eventing individual gold medalist Sir Mark Todd can go back to training racehorses after a ruling yesterday by the British Horseracing Authority that he should be suspended for four months, with two months deferred.
An interim suspension in February came after an outcry over a video showing him hitting a horse with a tree branch to convince it to go into a water obstacle during a clinic for eventers. He had been charged with conduct prejudicial to the reputation of racing in February, after the video emerged on social media.
Although the horseman issued an apology, his license was suspended in February pending an initial hearing on Mar. 24, which was adjourned due to legal issues. Panel chairman Brian Barker heard the case privately yesterday and explained “The appropriate sentence is one of four months suspension, with two months of that deferred for two months.
“That means that the eight weeks that he has already served is sufficient and that Sir Mark is able to operate under his license immediately and that further, providing that there are no transgressions” until June 14, that deferment will disappear.”
Judge Brian Barker, chair of the independent panel, said that the BHA and Sir Mark’s legal team reached a “common ground” for his punishment.
After analyzing the footage of the incident, Barker said that both parties agreed that the horse showed no “sign of fear or distress at any time” and that the well-being of the horse did not appear to have been “compromised”.
Barker noted Sir Mark was “calm in his attempt to encourage the horse to drop into the water, having first satisfied himself that the horse was capable of doing so”, while adding that the use of a “light branch” instead of a BHA-approved whip was not appropriate.
“Those who are more likely to be in the public eye must expect a greater level of scrutiny by the public,” Barker said.
Although the whip can be used in British racing for the purpose of correction, there are limits on the amount of times it can be used.
After the hearing, the BHA stated, “As Sir Mark has himself recognized in public statements since the video emerged and in accepting that he was in breach of Rule (J)19, his behavior on this occasion fell short of the standard expected of all licensed individuals and ran contrary to the values of care and respect for the horse that underpin British racing.”
Sir Mark, who was knighted in 2013 for his service to equestrian sport, became dependent on racing for his livelihood after retiring from eventing for the second time in 2019.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 16, 2022
The gutsy mare On Cue, who took Boyd Martin to the first U.S. 5-star eventing win since 2008 with a win in the Maryland 5-star at Fair Hill last year, has been withdrawn from the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star.
“Cue pulled up a little sore in training and we’ve decided that it would be better to save her for another day,” Boyd explained.
Boyd Martin celebrates after his dressage test with On Cue at the Maryland 5-star last October. (Photo © 2021 by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“This is a heartbreaking call, as I really felt that she had a big chance of being very competitive this year.
As always, I’m grateful for Chris, Tommie, and TJ (Turner) for their support through the highs and lows with this magnificent mare.”
Fans will still get to see Boyd in action, as he will be riding Tsetserleg at the event.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 14, 2022
After being in jail for nearly three years and charged with crimes that could have kept him behind bars for decades, Michael Barisone today was cleared of two charges by reason of insanity and ruled not guilty on three others after being tried for attempted murder.
It might seem like the end of a long, difficult journey, but it’s not quite over yet.
Michael still faces a psychiatric evaluation at a hospital in Trenton, although the day may come soon when he can get on a horse again. But first, he will return to court for another hearing on May 17.
Read the story at this link and see the photos below.
A relieved Michael Barisone after the verdict. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“We did it,” says defense attorney Ed Bilinkas and attorney Chris Deininger, who worked with him on the Barisone case. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn and Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Alex Bennett are grim-faced leaving the courtroom after doing their best for the prosecution but failing to win over the jury. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Lara Osborne, Michael Barisone’s romantic interest, who said of the verdict, “I’m so relieved, and now he can start healing. That’s the most important thing.” (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
After the verdict is announced, Michael Barisone gets hands-on attention from attorneys Ed Bilinkas and Chris Deininger. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 13, 2022
More than four months after the U.S. Equestrian Federation decided not to renew the contract of eventing performance director Erik Duvander, the organization named Bobby Costello as the interim chef d’equipe and team manager for the discipline.
He will serve through the end of September, coordinating the team’s appearance at the world championships in Italy and handling preparations leading up to them.
Bobby competed as an individual in the 2000 Olympics, where he finished eighth. While continuing to teach, he has been active in governance and served as head of the USEF’s Active Athletes and Eventing High Performance committees.
Olympic multi-medalist Phillip Dutton and Bobby applied as a pair to split the technical advisor/chef d’equipe job in 2011. This time around, Phillip had been concerned about the lack of action on a replacement for Erik, and is pleased with the choice of Bobby.
So is Jennie Brannigan, another rider who competes internationally.
“Obviously, as the head selector he’s done a great job,” she said.
USEF never gave a reason why Duvander was dropped. He is still privately training many of the people he worked with on the team since he started the USEF job in the autumn of 2017. The top riders all have their own trainers.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 10, 2022
Arno Gego
Respected show jumping course designer, teacher and mentor, Arno Gego passed away at the age of 84.
The German master designed courses all over the world, but Aachen was his mainstay, where he laid out the routes for the 1986 show jumping world championships.
The Aachen CSIO paid tribute to him by saying, “He was a horseman through and through.”
An advanced show jumper himself, he devised challenges for horse and rider that made them better. Founder of the Aachen School of Course Design, he handed his knowledge and perspective along to others.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 10, 2022
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs took the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping championship in Leipzig, Germany, today, with a two-horse approach. He rode Chaplin in the opening competition on Thursday, then switched to The Sinner for Saturday’s jump-off format. He was back on Chaplin, a Dutch warmblood stallion, this afternoon for the final.
Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands finished second on Monaco, while Jens Fredricson of Sweden came third with Markan Cosmoplit. Jens is the younger brother of Swedish superstar Peter Fredricson, who was on his country’s Olympic gold medal team last year.
The highest-placed American was McLain Ward on Contagious, winner of the second leg. One fence down in today’s first round, a two fences down in the second round with a time penalty put him seventh overall.
“It’s really disappointing of course. I thought Contagious jumped great and unfortunately, he stumbled or lost his footing in the combination and fell through B and after that when you’re focused on winning, not much else matters,” said McLain.
“It’s a sport of variables and he took a funny step and jumped too low, which isn’t a normal mistake for him, but you know that’s a part of the sport and it’s unfortunate when it happens in that moment.”
“Both of my horses are fantastic,” said Martin, who stands third in the overall global rankings this month.
Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Show Jumping Final winner Martin Fuchs takes his victory gallop on Chaplin in Leipzig, Germany (FEI photo)
“Chaplin is such an unbelievable fighter. I’m just so happy to have a horse like that.”
He added, “I must say, I thought I would be second again, with Harrie and McLain coming after me. I’m very delighted with this win,”
He followed in the hoofprints left by Tinka’s Boy and his uncle, Marcus Fuchs, the 2001 winner. Tinkas Boy died earlier this year at age 33.
Hunter Holloway was the next-best from the USA on Pepita con Spita, finishing 16th.
The dressage title not unexpectedly belongs to Olympic champion Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl of Germany with Dalera BB, scoring 90.836. It didn’t quite match her score from the Tokyo Games, but who would quibble with any mark over 90 percent?
Jessica is pregnant (will her baby’s name be inscribed on the trophy as well?) and she will not be able to ride for her country in the world championships this summer as a result.
In second place, Catherine DuFour on Vamos Amigos was quite a bit further back, with 86.164 percent. That’s not a score to be sneezed at either, however, especially since it was a personal best for the Danish rider.
The world’s most decorated dressage rider, Isabell Werth of Germany, finished on the podium in third with Weiheigold OLD. She had been shooting for her fourth Cup title, but a mark of 85.921 kept her from that ambition. Her mare was retired in a ceremony immediately after the competition.
The highest-placed U.S. dressage rider was Ashley Holzer, in her first championship representing the country since she became a citizen. She formerly rode for Canada. Her score of 75.532 on Havanna 145 put her ninth.
The other American contender, Anna Buffini, wound up 12th of 17 starters in her international championship debut. Her total on FRH Davinia La Douce was 74.011 percent,
This was the first Cup final since 2019. Both 2020 in Las Vegas and 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden, were cancelled due to Covid.
In 2023, the Cup comes back to the U.S. for the first time since 2017 and it’s in the same city, Omaha, Neb. It will include jumping, dressage and in a new twist for an American final, the championship in vaulting as well.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 31, 2022
HITS has received a majority investment from Traub Capital Partners, and will continue to operate as HITS Shows with its team in place led by CEO Tom Struzzieri, who will also maintain a significant stake in the business.
“We are proud to partner with HITS, a clear leader in the equestrian event world,” said Brian Crosby, Managing Partner of Traub Capital Partners.
“HITS’ legacy and expertise align with TCP’s philosophy and approach, and we believe we are uniquely positioned to actively support them in their strategic growth plans.”
“TCP is the ideal partner for HITS as they have a history of backing companies in the sport enthusiast industry as well as expertise in the aspirational and lifestyle categories,” said HITS CEO Tom Struzzieri.
“Our new partners will provide us with strategic capital investments and will ensure that our exhibitors and their horses are supported to the highest degree.”
The investment by TCP will allow HITS, with its 40-year history, to make improvements to all five venues with the goal of not only investing in the facilities and infrastructure, but also in elevating the level of service and hospitality.
HITS operates five venues; 46 weeks of sanctioned Hunter/Jumper competitions; six weeks of Dressage events; and 65,000 horses expected to compete in 2022. Based in Saugerties, N.Y., HITS is a national company producing horse shows in Ocala; Culpeper, Va.; Wayne, Ill, East Dorset, anVt and Saugerties.
Traub Capital Partners is a New York-based strategic private equity firm specializing in building value in consumer companies using its unique combination of investment, strategic and operational expertise as well as a culture led, engaged approach. The fund targets investments in companies with revenue between $50 and $250 million.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 31, 2022
Eric Lamaze, the Canadian Olympic show jumping gold medalist has retired from competition due to his health issues, but will continue to serve as technical advisor and chef d’equipe for his country’s show jumping team.
Eric, who has been battling brain cancer since 2017, last competed at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ tournament in Calgary, where he anchored the Canadian team to victory in the $600,000 Bank of Montreal Nations’ Cup in September.
Eric Lamaze after winning gold in the 2008 Olympics.(Photo © 2008 by Nancy Jaffer)
He then took a step back from competition to focus on his health, not knowing his last competitive appearance would be on home soil at his favorite venue, where he is the all-time leading money winner with career earnings exceeding $6.7 million.
“It’s with great sadness that I am making this decision,” said Lamaze, 53, who is based in Wellington, Fla., and Brussels, Belgium.
“There’s a part of me that feels really upset that I’ve been battling cancer with the hope of riding again and I’m crushed that that won’t be the case. I’ve always said that I will retire under my own terms when the time is right. The situation with my health has forced me to make the decision earlier than I had envisioned, but the silver lining is that I still have the will to win and can contribute to the Canadian team and the sport I love through my new role as chef d’equipe,” he said.
“Now I have to turn my focus to giving my knowledge back to my fellow riders,” continued Lamaze. “I’ve always loved teaching and preparing horses and riders for major championships. I will give these riders every opportunity I ever had myself and I have great ideas for the future. I want every Canadian rider to know that their dreams are my dreams, too. When they win, I win.”
