by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 12, 2023
The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping dream is still alive for McLain Ward, after winning the second leg at the Dutch Masters with HH Azur today.
McLain Ward and HH Azur on their victory lap at the Dutch Masters. (Photo Rolex Grand Slam/Thomas Lovelock)
There were 16 riders in the jump-off from a starting field of 35 over Louis Konickx’s course in the Brabanthallen, including world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden on King Edward. But none could cover the ground faster than McLain, winner of the first leg in Geneva last September, on the mare who carried him to the FEI World Cup title six years ago in Omaha.
Henrik set quite a pace in 38.52 seconds, but was overtaken by Frenchman Julien Epaillard on Donatello d’Aug, who was 0.46 seconds faster. McLain was better in 37.86 seconds to remain “alive” in the race for the Grand Slam title.
Discussing his victory in the 1 million Euro class, McLain conceded “it was lot of stress, having to watch the remaining 12 riders in the jump-off. The level here so high, and I think later tonight I will realize what we have achieved. The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has truly raised the bar of the sport and winning a Major is one of the greatest moments in a rider’s career. I am so proud of my team and my horse –- and a little proud of myself.”
He added about the 17-year-old mare, “She is smarter than everybody else and is truly a queen. I think she understands what is happening and really rises to the moment. She loves her job and the partnership that we have created is truly so special. We will now aim her for CHIO Aachen to try and win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.”
McLain emphasized, “It’s a great goal to aspire to.The challenge of the game is what gets you out of bed every day and it drives you, and at this point in my career, i realize that’s the most important part of it.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 31, 2023
What’s the future of the horse industry in New Jersey?
Whether you’re a breeder, involved in racing or showing, or have pleasure horses, we all have our concerns, as development continues making inroads into the state’s remaining open land, while costs of feed, hay and everything else connected with our horses continue to rise.
The Rutgers Equine Science Center will address the situation at the New Jersey Equine Industry Summit on March 16, with the University of Kentucky’s Jill Stowe, offering the keynote presentation on the “Economic Analysis Of Equine Operations: Reducing Costs For Horse and Horse Farm Owners.”
The Summit is open to equine leaders, professionals, veterinarians, educators, owners, and enthusiasts throughout the tri-state area. Hosted by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, the event will be held at the Cook Student Center, New Brunswick. There is no charge, but you must register here.
Breakout sessions will focus on horse health, the future of racing, land use policy, environmental stewardship, the integrity of equestrian sport and industry sustainability by engaging youth in equine activities and leadership roles. A just-completed needs assessment survey of industry participants will be a special feature of the program.
“This is only the second time in 20 years that the Equine Science Center has organized such a high-level conference focusing on the horse industry’s future,” said Rutgers Professor Karyn Malinowski, founding director of the Equine Science Center.
“Our first Summit, held in March 2003, examined the challenges and opportunities facing the horse industry, resulting in many innovations and new programs for the field.
“Needless to say, the landscape has changed in the past 20 years and there are new opportunities – and challenges – for the industry,” she added. “The Center is here to help the industry create a roadmap for years to come.”
The formal program begins at 10 a.m. preceded by coffee service at the student center. Lunch will be served before the breakout sessions in the afternoon, with a wrap-up session prior to the conference’s conclusion at 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required at this link.
There are more horses per square mile in New Jersey than in any other state. An economic impact study of the industry showed that there were 7,100 facilities housing 42,500 horses and employing 13,000 people.
“It’s no wonder that over 40 years ago, the New Jersey legislature designated the horse as the state animal,” Malinowski said. “The equine business is an important economic engine for the state.”
Rutgers established the Equine Science Center in 2001, appointing Malinowski as the director, a position she continues to hold. The Center, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is dedicated to better horse care through research and education to advance the well-being and performance of horses and the equine industry.
Why not participate? It’s free. For questions, please contact Kyle Hartmann at kylehart@njaes.rutgers.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Mar 8, 2023
An effort by Michael Barisone’s attorneys to have Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor removed from hearing their client’s case did not succeed today, as the judge denied their motion for recusal.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor in Morristown. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Barisone has been held in New Jersey state psychiatric facilities since last spring, when the dressage trainer was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity in the August 2019 shooting of Lauren Kanarek. She is an amateur rider who was a tenant on his Long Valley, N.J., farm. The trial drew international attention and the incident involved was featured on CBS’ 48 Hours television show.
Barisone had been trying to move Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, off his property as his relationship with the couple deteriorated. He became increasingly distraught over the situation. It culminated in a confrontation between Barisone and his tenants that ended in gunfire, with Kanarek suffering chest wounds. She was rushed to Morristown Medical Center, where she underwent emergency lung surgery and was treated in the Intensive Care Unit.
Lauren Kanarek on the stand during Michael Barisone’s trial last year. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Barisone said he did not remember anything about the shooting incident and appeared in court for his March 2022 trial looking disheveled; unshaven, with hair uncut and wearing a wrinkled shirt. He periodically would wipe tears from his eyes and put his head on the table in front of him.
He looked completely different — alert, clean-shaven with trimmed hair and neatly dressed — when he appeared before Taylor in September 2022 for his Krol hearing. That is a proceeding which makes a special finding as to whether a defendant’s “insanity continues” and if so, rules on continuing confinement. The court must grapple with a determination of “dangerousness” as a prediction of future conduct.
At issue this morning were remarks by Taylor about the change in Barisone’s appearance from his trial to his last Krol hearing. Attorney Chris Deininger, who appeared for Barisone with attorney Edward Bilinkas, contended those comments reflected what Kanarek had written in a letter to the court. Deininger maintained that document “contained inflammatory falsehoods.”
Michael Barisone during his 2022 trial. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
He believes it “puts a taint on the proceedings,” explaining, “a letter like that cannot be unread.”
Deininger told Taylor, “Even a conscientious jurist like yourself, your honor, can’t eliminate from the consciousness what that letter presented.”
Taylor responded, “I have no idea what was said in that letter…the court did not reference that letter at all in my decision on the Krol hearing.”
The defense is appealing the outcome of that September hearing.
The judge suggested the attorney had “jumped to the conclusion” that “because there is one line in there (the letter) that is somewhat similar to the court decision, the court must have been influenced.”
The judge asked how it tainted the proceedings.
Deininger said “the taint in my view is the public’s perception and it arises from the Krol hearing,” pointing out the judge had noted at that time Barisone “could have had his hair cut, he could have shaved for trial.”
Michael Barisone and attorney Chris Deininger at the 2022 Krol hearing. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
Taylor noted there had been testimony in court that Barisone looked different than he had at the jail prior to the trial, and also when he appeared in court for his Krol hearing.
The judge mentioned psychiatrist Dr. Steven Simring, who testified during the trial, said Barisone was dealing with delusional disorder and persistent depressive disorder.
At the September Krol hearing, the judge ordered Barisone held at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Parsippany. Barisone was scheduled to appear today for another Krol hearing on his status, but it did not happen, as the court addressed the recusal issue and a defense request to bar press and the public from the next Krol hearing.
It is scheduled for April 25, when testimony on Barisone’s condition will be given by Greystone medical staff and there will be discussion about whether Barisone should be moved up a level on his Greystone status, so he could take short trips outside the hospital.
The judge mentioned the purpose of the Krol hearing is “everything about the demeanor, his mental state, statements made, when they were made; at trial, at the Krol hearing, in the hospital–all that’s relevant to his mental state.”
Deininger brought up a remark by Taylor during the Krol hearing, when the judge said, ” I don’t know if there was malingering during the jury trial.”
The attorney told the judge, “I think that could give the public a reason to question the integrity of the verdict. I’m concerned about that. I’m talking about public perception, not what’s happening in your mind.”
“I didn’t draw any conclusions,” the judge remarked.
“I said, `who knows?'”
The judge said Simring did comment that the issue was, “did the actions of the defendant and his appearance result from the mental illness or from something else?” Taylor asked whether the change in appearance was “the result of improvement in Mr. Barisone’s mental state or is it something else?”
Taylor wondered whether Barisone’s appearance during the trial was “a mannerism simply unconnected to the underlying mental illness that resulted in the acquittal. Dr. Simring seems to suggest that it did not relate to the delusional disorder but to the other diagnosis of depression.”
Deininger asked to have the next Krol hearing closed to media and the public, saying that although much about Barisone’s mental health was revealed during the trial, the Krol hearing represents a new phase and should not violate patient privacy provisions.
The judge believed so much about Barisone already has been aired through live streaming and the media that “I feel the horse has already left the barn.” Citing the fact that it is “a very unique case” in regard to the extent of the international attention it has received, he believes the courtroom should be open for future hearings.
“To close it would lead to a great deal of suspicion,” he said, in denying the motion.
Even a year after the trial, social media is still buzzing about the Barisone matter, with people dissecting the case ad infinitum. During the trial, the people posting were endlessly critiquing the judge, the witnesses and each other, and they continue to do so.
They have fresh fodder because there is an ongoing civil suit by Kanarek and a countersuit by Barisone that likely won’t come to trial for some time, since New Jersey courts are backed up with cases.
