by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 13, 2020
Seven New Jersey owners claimed Horse of the Year championships at the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s annual meeting last weekend. They included Leslie Goryeb of Gladstone, with MD Tsunami, Arabian Country Pleasure/Country Pleasure Driving Open; Joanne Dadd, Bedminster, PIK Andromeda, Half/Anglo-Arabian Dressage Amateur Second Level; Jennifer Alison Garutti, Flemington, Labras Leannon, Half-Bred Connemara Eventing; Marlaine White, Hancock’s Bridge, Sunsational Essence, English Pleasure Hunt Seat; Autumn View Farm, Long Valley, Coverboy, High Amateur-Owner Jumper; Ponies Unlimited, Franklin Lakes, EZ to Spot, Pony Jumpers (Ponies Unlimited’s Angel also was reserve); Patricia Eastman, Colts Neck, Heaven’s Gate Signature Style, Welsh Hunter Sections A &B, Adult to Ride.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 7, 2020
The New Jersey State Senate yesterday followed the State Assembly and passed a bill that would eliminate the sales tax on horse boarding, something that has been in the works for a very long time. The Assembly effort was spearheaded by Ronald Dancer (R-Burlington/Middlesex/Monmouth/Ocean) and in the Senate, by Steve Oroho (R-Sussex/Warren/Morris) took the lead.
Stay tuned! Now it awaits the Governor’s signature in order to become law. This is a measure that will help not only struggling horse operations, but also make boarding less expensive for horse owners. The next step is to contact Gov. Phil Murphy and urge him to sign the bill. Numbers count here. Reach him at (609) 292-6000. You can also reach him by email at http://nj.gov/governor/contact/.
Read the legislation at: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S3000/2856_R13.PDF
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 6, 2020
Dressage Olympian Michael Barisone remains in New Jersey’s Morris County Correctional Facility, following a not guilty plea today during his arraignment in Morristown on two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
He was indicted last month in connection with the Aug. 7 shooting of Lauren Kanarek, a boarder at his Long Valley farm, who took two bullets in her chest during the climax of a landlord-tenant dispute. She had been living on the property with her fiancée, Rob Goodwin, who was hurt in the scuffle.
Michael Barisone in court with attorney Ed Bilinkas. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
Barisone, who has been held without bail since the incident, looked pale and gaunt in a yellow jumpsuit as he told Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor he understood the charges against him. When the judge asked Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn whether there would be a plea offer for Barisone, Schellhorn replied “not at this time, but I expect to be in a position to discuss that at the next appearance.”
Barisone, who also pleaded not guilty following his arrest, has a date to be back in court March 2. Under the state’s “speedy trial” provision, after being indicted, a defendant cannot be kept in custody for more than 180 days before the start of his trial. That would make Barisone’s trial June 14, but the judge cited the complexity of this case. His comment was underlined when the assistant prosecutor noted that he already has handed over 5,000 pages of discovery material to the defense, and expects to have several thousand more pages on Wednesday.
A prominent figure on the dressage scene, Barisone was part of the 2008 Olympic team, but did not ride because only three members of the squad were permitted to compete. He had served on various committees for his discipline, and in 2016 coached Olympic bronze medal team member Allison Brock.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 2, 2020
Earlen Haven, a longtime licensed U.S. Equestrian Federation judge who runs Country Haven farm in South Jersey, is rallying the troops to push for approval of a measure that would eliminate the sales tax on horse boarding.
She asks that at noon on Monday Jan. 6, supporters attend a meeting in Trenton of the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. It will be held on the first floor of the State House Annex in Committee Room Four.
A caravan will leave Saddlebrook Ridge, 10 Saddlebrook Rd, Shamong at 9:45 a.m. that day. For more information, phone Gail Pratt at (609) 304-6636. EarIen also is planning on going and can take seven people, but call her first. Her address is Country Haven, 290 E. Lake Road, Pilesgrove. Her phone is (856) 769-1916.
She advises that those who cannot go should call or email Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, a horseman who has backed “No Sales Tax on Boarding”. His phone is (609) 758-0205; his email is AsmDancer@njleg.org. Also contact your own legislator, she stated, but emphasizes that should be done Jan. 2 or Jan. 3 for best results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 31, 2019
As was the case with the eventing at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, the cross-country course for the 2020 Tokyo Games is being shortened due to horse welfare concerns. The route will be 4,500 meters instead of the regulation 5,700 meters, with eight minutes instead of 10 the optimum time.
August in that part of the world is extremely hot and humid. In Hong Kong, the optimum time was also eight minutes, and none of the horses made it, even though eventing caught a break when that segment was held on an overcast day instead of in bright sunshine.
The plan is for the Tokyo competition is to finish by 11 a.m., after which time the potential is for the highest Wet Bulb Globe Temperature readings (a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.)
But have you ever been to a major eventing competition where there wasn’t a delay of some sort on cross-country due to a fall or other mishap? Even shortening the optimum time might not be able to beat the 11 a.m. witching hour. In an effort to avoid that, the start for the Tokyo cross-country will be earlier than originally scheduled, to between 7:30 and 8 a.m., with an announcement of the exact time expected in January.
The decision was made in view of findings from the 2019 Olympic test event.
“The welfare of both human and equine athletes is at the heart of the FEI’s decision-making process and these decisions have been taken to allow competing nations to optimize their performances in the Tokyo summer climate,” according to a statement from the FEI (International Equestrian Federation).
Summer heat, which led to more than 50 deaths in Tokyo in 2019, has made for some big changes in the Games. The marathon and walking race, for instance, are being moved 500 miles north as a way of easing conditions for those competitors.
Two sessions of eventing dressage run from 8-11:10 a.m., but all the other equestrian competitions start no earlier than 5 p.m. and run into the night. Everything is being held inland at the main equestrian venue except cross-country, which is at the Sea Forest location on the water.
by Nancy Jaffer | Dec 28, 2019
Glasgow, a stunning show jumper who shone in both the professional and amateur ranks, died the day after Christmas at the age of 28.
One of Glasgow’s many memorable victories was the 2004 Budweiser American Invitational with Norman Dello Joio riding. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
With a personality to match his athleticism, he will be remembered not only for his many international victories with Norman Dello Joio, but also for the excitement he generated among anyone lucky enough to see him perform.
“He always went into the ring with a competitive, burning desire to win,” said Philip Richter, who began competing Glasgow in amateur classes when Norman decided it was time for the regal Dutch warmblood to step down a notch.
Philip Richter and Glasgow competing at the 2011 Hampton Classic.
“Riding a horse of his caliber was such an honor and privilege because his capabilities had no limits—he always gave you more than he had, which was way more than most could handle,” recalled Philip, who guided him to victory in high amateur classes at Devon, the Hampton Classic and other prestigious destinations.
“He was like an overpowered Formula One car that had magnetic adhesion to the road. His talent and attitude enabled him to do things that a mere mortal horse would never dare try. From Spruce Meadows to the Winter Equestrian Festival to Hickstead, he decisively and consistently won it all. His personality was what really set him apart—he had an aura of superiority and arrogance that was somehow endearing and not offensive.”
Analyzing Glasgow’ career, Philip cited Norman’s relationship with the horse, noting, “I truly believe that Glasgow might not have been the success he was without Norman. Glasgow was blessed by raw talent and the sacred geometry of chance to be paired with a rider like Norman.”
After Philip stopped competing him, Glasgow was retired to Coker Farm in New York, owned by Philip’s mother, Judy Richter.
As Philip reflected, “His talent and attitude enabled him to do things that a mere mortal horse would never dare try. Just look at his record—an endless string of global wins at the highest level of our sport—for years on end.”
