by Nancy Jaffer | May 25, 2022
The retirement of two-time Kentucky 5-star winner Cooley Master Class has been announced by his rider, Oliver Townend of Great Britain.
Cooley Master Class being saluted by the crowd after his 2019 Land Rover Kentucky victory. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
The horse he got as a four-year-old has been his competition partner for the last 13 years and also “a very dear friend.”
His competition highlights include back-to-back Kentucky 5-star wins in 2018 and 2019, second at the new Maryland 5-star last fall, team silver at the European Championships and 16 international top 10 placings.
“He’s now 17 years old and although still fit and well, we’ve always said it’s important that he retires from competition on his own terms and we feel that the time has come,” stated Oliver.
“Cooley is a huge character and has always made sure to be a yard favorite, so he will retire to a hacking lifestyle where he’ll continue to be treated and looked after like the king he is.”
Added Oliver, “I could not be more grateful to have had the honor of partnering Cooley for all these years. He’s achieved more than we could have dreamed of and we’ve literally traveled the world together with memories that’ll last a lifetime!”
He offered “huge thanks” to co-owner Angela Hislop, who lives near the star’s retirement home and will make sure he stays “spoiled rotten!”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 24, 2022
Texas horseman Britt McCormick, who is involved with committee work in several national organizations, has een named chief operating officer of HITS LLC, the producer of hunter/jumper competitions at several venues around the country.
Britt, the chairman of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Breeds and Disciplines Council, is also a director of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association and will be involved in HITS efforts to “elevate the brand and reinvigorate their world-class horse shows.”
In discussing his new post, Britt noted that HITS CEO Tom Struzzieri led the way in revolutionizing “how hunter/jumper competitions were managed and conducted. From the first Million Dollar Grand Prix to the M&S League, HITS has always been the leader in innovation for our sport.”
Britt, a licensed judge and course designer who will be based at HITS Saugerties, N.Y., headquarters is a former managing partner of the Las Colinas Equestrian Center, and has been the manager of premier, national and local horse shows.
“Britt is an exciting addition to the new team that we are creating at HITS,” noted Tom Struzzieri.
“His background as a trainer and show manager, together with his involvement at USEF and USHJA, will provide expert insight as we continue to address the things that we can improve at HITS. We are thrilled to begin working with Britt and creating a new path forward.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 24, 2022
It was a hit from the beginning.
Monmouth at the Team involved moving what had been an iconic horse show (the oldest in New Jersey) to the grounds of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in 2016. With lavish hospitality, an array of recognized and unrecognized classes over eight days and the backdrop of the famous stable in Gladstone, Somerset County, the competition was a perfect way to end the summer.
Ringside hospitality was a highlight of Monmouth at the Team. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
Then came Covid.
It was tough enough financially running a one-ring show, but in 2020, Covid made it impossible to offer the close-quarters ringside hospitality that was the show’s signature, so it was cancelled.
In 2021, quarantine issues at the foundation venue involving teams for the Tokyo Olympics made the special location a no-go, so the show was held at Centenary University in Morris County, about a half-hour from Gladstone. It was a nice show, but it lacked the special ambience that being at the USET Foundation provided.
This year, the show is being outsourced.
Claudine Libertore, who runs so many of the hunter/jumper shows in New Jersey, has leased the 2022 Aug. 15-18 dates and will stage it at the Horse Park of New Jersey, which is located in Monmouth County.
Bobcat ears on helmets were a fun signature of the Bobcat Derby during Monmouth at the Team show against the backdrop of the USET Foundation’s historic stable. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
According to Tucker Ericson, who ran the show with his cousin, trainer Michael Dowling, the first three-days will be A-rated and the fourth day will be unrecognized. He added that the tradition of the Bobcat Derby (with its trademark bobcat ear headbands), sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, will continue.
Michael Dowling and Tucker Ericson moved the Monmouth County Horse Show to the USET Foundation. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
Tucker, who works in the insurance business, and his cousin, an associate professor at Centenary, are too involved elsewhere to run the show themselves at this point.
“If someone steps up with a better gameplay for 2023, we will certainly consider it, but I am sure CJL will continue with the dates otherwise,” Tucker stated.
“Neither USET nor Centenary were willing to take on the endeavor and Michael and I are too busy with our careers to put the time into it that is required, not to mention the volatility of losing a lot of money due to viruses, weather, and the economy.”
by Nancy Jaffer | May 20, 2022
The case of dressage trainer Michael Barisone, found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity last month, presents an unprecedented situation for the Center for SafeSport.
After he was charged in 2019, Barisone, had been listed as permanently ineligible based on criminal disposition, but SafeSport this week changed his status to a temporary suspension, while continuing a no-contact directive between the parties involved in the matter.
Michael Barisone competing in 2014. (Photo © 2014 by Nancy Jaffer)
When someone is temporarily suspended, that indicates the Center is conducting an investigation. Temporary measures are not a determination of a finding, but are designed for the safety of participants while the Center does its work.
The not guilty by reason of insanity verdict puts a new wrinkle in the SafeSport proceedings. Since opening its doors in 2017, the Center has not dealt with a similar type of matter, according to spokesman Dan Hill. The Center handles issues of sexual, emotional and physical abuse concerning individuals involved in Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Barisone was charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting of Lauren Kanarek, a student and tenant at his farm in Long Valley, N.J., and also indicted on a charge of possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with that charge as well.
In addition, the Superior Court jury in Morristown, N.J., found the 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team alternate not guilty outright on charges of attempted murder and weapons possession involving Kanarek’s boyfriend, Robert Goodwin.
Barisone had been trying to evict the couple from the farmhouse on his property, as the atmosphere at the farm became more and more toxic.
The defense contended that Barisone, who did not take the witness stand during his trial, was unable to remember the Aug. 7, 2019 shooting incident. The defense psychiatrist concluded in his testimony that Barisone not only suffered from delusional disorder but also was dealing with persistent depressive disorder. The horseman was in a situation where he felt physically threatened by Kanarek and Goodwin, according to the psychiatrist, and saw no way out as his life fell apart.
As the Center does its work, it can gather information it doesn’t have to this point, but can’t meet yet with Barisone because he is in quarantine after being moved a week ago from the Morris County, N.J., correctional facility to the Anne Klein Forensic Center in West Trenton for evaluation.
At the end of the evaluation period, he will appear in court for a hearing to determine whether he is a danger to himself or others, and how he can move on from there. That is a separate proceeding from any action that may be taken by SafeSport.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 19, 2022
Centenary University next month will present its highest honor to Octavia Brown, a pioneer and leader in the field of therapeutic riding.
Octavia will be honored with the Gold Dome Award June 2 during CU at the Stables, the annual scholarship fundraising event at 6:30 p.m. at the David and Carol Lackland Center in Hackttstown..
Octavia Brown at the Centenary University stables. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The professor emeritus of equine studies “has made a positive impact on the lives of so many through her tireless commitment to therapeutic riding,” said Bruce Murphy, the university’s president.
“Early on, she recognized the power that equine-assisted services have to promote confidence, independence, and healing. At Centenary University, we are proud to honor Dr. Brown with the Gold Dome Award for the tremendous impact she has made, both at our University and around the world.”
A longtime Centenary faculty member, Octavia is a founder of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Now known as PATH International, the nonprofit has 7,000 members worldwide who help support more than 53,000 special needs individuals, including nearly 6,000 veterans, through a variety of equine-assisted services.
At Centenary, she is the former director of TRAC (Therapeutic Riding at Centenary), an accredited adaptive riding program that fosters beneficial interactions between horses and humans and provides training for professionals in the field of equine-assisted education and therapy. Through Operation Centaur, the university also provides the benefits of therapeutic riding to military veterans and their family members.
Born in England, Octavia emigrated to the United States in 1964. She earned a master of education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1971 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Centenary in 2008. A past president of the Federation of Riding for the Disabled International, She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the James Brady Award for Lifetime Achievement in Therapeutic Riding, PATH International’s highest honor. Most recently, she was honored in January by the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
Centenary University has one of the nation’s leading collegiate equine studies programs, offering several specialty fields of study and competitive riding teams. Centenary’s ANRC team recently captured the 2022 ANRC National Equitation Championship, and the university has a near-perfect track record for student acceptance to selective veterinary schools.
CU at the Stables will help to raise critical unrestricted scholarships to provide financial support for Centenary students who may not otherwise be able to bridge the gap between tuition and financial aid. Each year, the University offers more than $14 million in scholarship support to Centenary students. Purchase event tickets here or email Elizabeth.Freeman@centenaryuniversity.edu by May 20.
by Nancy Jaffer | May 13, 2022
After the U.S. Equestrian Federation didn’t renew Erik Duvander’s contract as eventing performance director last December, he headed home to New Zealand.
But he didn’t stay away long, and now he’s back in the U.S. Read what happened at horsesport.com.
Erik Duvander at Land Rover Kentucky. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
