by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 20, 2023
A Thursday update from Millar Brooke South about Jonathan Millar, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident involving a motorized vehicle. The son of Ian Millar (Captain Canada) is at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for therapy.
“With a rigorous and intensive schedule, Jonathon has found his rhythm. With daily therapeutic activities, Jonathon is thriving here at the Shepherd Center. Practicing his walking skills, motor skills, and endurance, Jonathon has put in a ton of minutes, hours and miles to achieve his goals! With his determination, grit, fierce tenacity, and fighting spirit, Jonathon continues to show us all here`how to get it done!’
“In typical Jonathon style, his dry sense of humor entertains the nurses and staff, and his quick wit not only keeps everyone on their toes…but also keeps us all laughing. Thank you to Jonathon’s incredible team of doctors and therapists. We are grateful for the care that he is receiving. It truly is world class and we are so thankful for it.
As always, we thank each and every one of you for your love, support and generosity.
It takes a village, and we are so incredibly grateful for ours.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 11, 2023
The funeral for revered horseman Jimmy Wofford in Virginia last month was packed with mourners who paid tribute to one of the sport’s most respected figures. But those who were unable to get to that ceremony can offer their respects with other like-minded friends at 6 p.m. Thursday April 27.
Jimmy Wofford. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at Spindletop Hall, a mansion just a couple of minutes from the Horse Park of Kentucky in Lexington, where the Land Rover 5-star three-day event is being presented that week.
Jimmy, who died in February after years battling pancreatic cancer, was an eventing Olympic medalist who became a sought-after trainer later in his career.
He also served as president of the American Horse Shows Association, the predecessor of today’s U.S. Equestrian Federation. A great writer, he produced several books on training and one on the story of his life, “Still Horse Crazy After All These Years,” his final volume.
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 11, 2023
Civil lawsuits involving dressage trainer Michael Barisone have been settled after years of litigation following the shooting of Lauren Kanarek, the plaintiff who was also a defendant in a counter-suit filed by Barisone.
Kanarek was a student of Barisone’s and a tenant at his Long Valley, N.J., farm. Their relationship deteriorated to the point that they had a confrontation in August 2019, when she was shot twice in the chest and he was charged with attempted murder. Kanarek spent four days in a coma in Morristown Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit after the shooting took place in a scuffle, which also involved her boyfriend, Robert Goodwin.
In a trial last year, Barisone was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the attempted murder of Kanarek and a weapons charge. It is the first time in 30 years that a jury in the state of New Jersey had reached such a conclusion, according to Chris Deininger, one of Barisone’s attorneys. The jury also found Barisone not guilty in connection with an attempted murder charge, assault and possession of a firearm involving Goodwin.
Kanarek sued Sweet Grass LLC, a partner in the farm with Barisone, and Barisone individually in a separate action. The Sweet Grass matter concluded with a confidential settlement ending that entity’s liability in the case. Mark Silver, the attorney for Sweet Grass, did not return calls for comment.
After a lawsuit was filed against him individually, Barisone counter-sued. Both he and Kanarek last week agreed to drop their suits with prejudice, which means they cannot be filed in the future. Gregg Alan Stone, Kanarek’s attorney in that matter, chose not to comment.
Barisone, who had been diagnosed with delusional and depressive disorders, remains in Greystone Park State Hospital in Parsippany, N.J. Pending the outcome of a formal investigation and final decision, Barisone is on interim suspension for “allegations of misconduct” from SafeSport, an organization created by Congress to end sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on behalf of athletes.
Michael Barisone and attorney Chris Deininger. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Deininger said in a prepared statement, “On my behalf, on behalf of Edward Bilinkas and on behalf of all the other professionals working as part of Michael Barisone’s legal team, I’m pleased to announce the voluntary final dismissal of Lauren Kanarek’s claims against Michael Barisone and of Michael’s claims against her, which took place without the exchange of money.
“With the civil suit claims behind him, Michael can continue his recovery from the mental breakdown he suffered in August 2019, following the incidents recounted at the criminal trial.
“The extinguishment of the civil suit claims, in our view, is yet another important vindication of Michael. We are thankful for all the encouragement and support people have given Michael, with special thanks to those who testified at trial and those who bravely came forward to give crucial information important to the defense.
“We will now focus our attention on getting Michael out of the hospital, getting him back to his homestead in Florida and resolving his issues with SafeSport. Our fight will continue until the day when Michael is once again free to raise, ride and train horses, which has always been his calling and passion.”
Meanwhile, Deininger filed suit Monday against three insurance companies, contending they should have covered the costs of Barisone’s defense.In denying coverage, the companies contended that Barisone’s action was intentional and not reasonable, Deininger said.
“The jury came back saying it’s not intentional, so that’s gone, and the insurance company never investigated whether the use of force was reasonable, they just said that,” noted Deininger.
“I’m going to raise the issue of whether or not they should have paid his defense costs, because there were claims of negligence that are not intent-based, and I think they should have defended him on those claims.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 13, 2023
After a week at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Jonathon Millar is improving in the wake of suffering a head injury in a March motor vehicle accident.
A posting by Millar Brooke South stated Jonathon is starting to do more things on his own, such as talking and drinking.
“He is even regaining enough strength to begin standing up with some assistance. Even though these seem like small steps, they are all positive ones. He is definitely headed in the right direction. Jonathon would not be able to make this much progress without the expertise provided at the Shepard Center.”
Cassandra Kahle, who suffered traumatic brain injury during a fall in a jumper class last January, spent time at the Shepherd Center during her recovery.
According to the Millar Brooke South posting, “Overall, Jonathon is getting stronger every day, thanks to this incredible care. We are thrilled to see pieces of Jonathon coming back together slowly, but surely.
We would not be able to have this opportunity without the help and support from the Jonathon Millar Recovery Fund on GoFundMe, The Ziegler Family, The Fisher Family, The Kevin Babington Foundation and Equestrian Aid Foundation. The donations from the entire equestrian community have made Jonathon’s stay at the Shepard Center possible, and we feel hopeful that because of this he will make a full recovery.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 12, 2023
Should I buy this horse? That’s a question many prospective owners ask after hearing the results of a pre-purchase exam.
Get some advice from Dr. John Pigott on Tuesday, April 18, when he presents: “Pre-purchase Headaches in the Sport Horse: Risky Bone Chips, Lumps, Conformation and More!” as part of the Cornell Equine Seminar Series.
He will discuss common abnormalities and questions that veterinarians, buyers and sellers face during pre-purchase examination of the sport horse. If there is a bone chip, is it okay to buy the horse anyway? What are the chances of a conformational abnormality turning into a problem in the future? This seminar will explore the concept of risk assessment during pre-purchase and how to make the most informed decision when questions arise.
Dr. Pigott is a specialist veterinary surgeon and 2009 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. He completed his equine surgery residency training at Ohio State University and has performed research in equine orthopedics, regenerative medicine and upper airway disorders.
Before moving to Cornell, Dr. Pigott was employed by a private practice referral hospital in Wisconsin, where he worked in both elective and emergency orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, advanced imaging and lameness.
He joined the team at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists in 2015 and has expertise in orthopedic surgery, upper airway surgery, complicated lameness, advanced imaging and regenerative medicine. Dr. Piggott also has an extensive history as a competitor in the hunter/jumper field and utilizes this unique knowledge daily as he approaches cases across disciplines. As a recognized specialist, Dr. Pigott is a regular speaker at both national and international conferences on the topics of orthopedics, regenerative medicine and lameness.
This seminar is part of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Seminar Series, and will be presented on Tuesday, April 18, from 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time via Zoom. Please register in advance at this link
by Nancy Jaffer | Apr 7, 2023
Christy Baxter has been named to a newly created post, director of equestrian operations at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Christy, who has a long history serving the sport has been establishing and managing strategic partnerships for World Equestrian Center – Ocala since 2020.
Most recently, she drove the concept work, logistics and management around the successful All for the Horses Expo sponsored by Ariat International, Inc. She has spent 17 years working in horse sports. From 2000 to 2017, after joining the U.S. Equestrian Federation, she served as assistant discipline director and then increased her responsibility to hold a management role within the organization.
Christy Baxter, Shelley Page, a giant piece of candy and Jim Wolf. (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)
She focused on planning, development and logistics for USEF and its athlete representation at major national and international championships as well as several Olympic Games. Since 2020, she also has been assistant manager for NBC Sports Group in their Olympic Operations Department, handling all logistics for NBC staff working at the Olympic Games.
In her new role, Baxter will oversee day-to-day equestrian operations of the facility including World Equestrian Center hunter/jumper and dressage horse shows and equestrian events hosted by the facility. In addition, she will drive the development of the venue’s new offerings including eventing, driving, polo, vaulting and para equestrian sports. Her appointment follows the resignation of Vinnie Card, director of operations, who helped set up the facility.
The Roberts family, owners of WEC, called Christy “a key team member who worked tirelessly on the retail infrastructure necessary to launch World Equestrian Center – Ocala and guide its continued growth and development.”
