by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 28, 2024
After the first few competitors finished the beautiful Paris Olympics cross-country course on Sunday, from an armchair perspective it may have seemed almost too easy, like a trail ride with challenges.
Britain’s pathfinder, Tom McEwen, completed within the 9-minute, 2-second optimum time to remain on his dressage score of 25.8 penalties. By the end of the day, that would be good enough to move him up from eleventh to sixth with J.L. Dublin. And Germany’s Julia Krajewski, in the unenviable position of being first to embark on cross-country, had just 4.8 time penalties for a total of 31.7 with Nickel 21, a younger horse, therefore not one you’d want to push for time. She wound up fourteenth; most respectable, considering her horse’s lack of experience at the sport’s highest level.
But Tom was a member of the gold medal team at the Tokyo Olympics and Julia is the defending individual gold medalist (with a different horse) from Tokyo. In the early going, their expertise made Pierre Le Goupil’s course look less difficult than it was. Artful in both appearance and design, it took the measure of many in an appropriate way as the hours went by. Six of the 62 starters were eliminated or retired; a host of others couldn’t make the time and accumulated penalties that changed the placings they had earned in Saturday’s dressage.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin (Photo Jon Stroud Media)
“It is the most amazing crowd all the way around the course. They’re cheering you before, over and after,” said Tom, noting his horse “was phenomenal from start to finish.”.
As the morning went on at Versailles, with a shoulder-to-shoulder enthusiastic spectators who lined the winding route, it turned out that the layout was not only entertaining for fans but was perfect for the job with which the designer had been tasked. And it was safe. There were no ugly falls.
Record-setting Laura Collett of Great Britain and London 52 on the cross-country course, with the palace behind them at Versailles. (Photo Jon Stroud Media)
The changes on the leaderboard were dramatic, with the exception of favored Britain, seeking to defend its Tokyo gold. It continued to head the standings with 82.5 penalties. But instead of being closely pursued by Germany, it was France – with the incentive of competing at home — that moved up to challenge on 87.2 penalties, a little more than the difference of a fallen show jumping rail.
Germany, second after dressage, is now fourteenth on 278.9 penalties. Team member Christoph Wahler had a fall from Carjatan S in the Belvedere complex and was eliminated.
There is no drop score at the Games, which has only three-member teams. Christoph popped out of the saddle when his horse stepped in a ditch after a drop and before the first chevron in the Belvedere complex, obstacle 16 of 28. Carjatan wasn’t the only horse who had trouble reading the ditch.
The USA’s pathfinder, Caroline Pamukcu, ran into a problem there when her HSH Blake got his hind end stuck in the ditch, which she had expected him to jump, but she stayed on and took an optional route to continue. However, she was charged 20 penalties for a refusal, and also accumulated 12 time penalties. She is forty-seventh with 62.4 penalties as part of the U.S. team that was in ninth place after cross-country.
If she were riding as an individual, she would have protested the penalty, she said, but since she is riding for the team, she knew she couldn’t do that. Ironically, she won individual gold at the Pan American Games last fall over a course designed by Le Goupil.
As for her horse, Caroline said, “He was fabulous, answered all the questions. What a brave horse he is, he’s fearless.”
U.S. Chef D’ Equipe Bobby Costello said, “I don’t believe in luck that much, but whatever it was that happened to Caroline at that ditch… It was early on when she didn’t know that all the horses were going to be more or less falling into it, and I don’t for one second put that on her at all. It was just a real unfortunate turn of events. As the day went on…it became clear either to go left or there was a more specific way to ride that right-hand side. It was just a real shame for Caroline that happened to her.”
And the team’s slide from sixth after dressage to ninth was a real dampening of expectations.
“We’re incredibly disappointed at the final result,” Bobby continued.
“I think it shows why this Olympic format is, for better or for worse, intense, it’s completely unforgiving. But that’s the game we came to play today and it didn’t go our way.”
The U.S. may move up a bit in the final show jumping phase, but the podium seems out of reach, even though the team’s horses are all good jumpers.
“We’re not in a place right now where it looks like we can necessarily use that to our advantage,” Bobby pointed out.
“But absolutely anything can happen overnight. Freak things happen, as we saw today, all the time. So we certainly are not going to crawl in a hole. We’re going to come out tomorrow with a fresh mindset for the day and finish up as strongly and in the best place that we possibly can.”
And just as he said, on Sunday night, the U.S. moved up from ninth to eighth after the Irish had to sub Sarah Ennis and Sporfsfield Freelance for Aiofe Clark, after her mare, Action Lady M, “picked up an injury” on cross-country. The additional penalties incurred under Olympic rules moved Ireland down a spot and boosted the U.S. one placing. The official team standings had not been updated to show that change late Sunday.
Britain’s Ros Canter, ranked number one in the world, was charged 15 penalties for a missed flag on course at fence 12D, the triple brush.. She said she did touch a flag there, but added, “I would never have imagined I didn’t jump the jump.” However, an appeal of the penalty by the British team was denied and the score remained the same.
Calling her ride, Lordships Graffalo, better known as Walter, “the horse of a lifetime,” she said of his performance,”Walter absolutely loves to run and jump. He loves the crowd.”
After London 52 lost a front shoe early on and began slipping, Ros’s teammate, Laura Collett, had to be cautious and take a more sweeping line from the final water combination at 23ABCD, which made it tough to finish without time penalties. She had set an Olympic record in dressage with a mark of 17.5 penalties, but the 0.8 time penalties added to that score put her second, just 0.5 penalties behind Germany’s Michael (Michi) Jung. He took the lead with his perfect trip on Chipmunk FRH (one of Julia Krajewski’s former mounts).
But never mind, Laura was so happy with her partner.
“London 52 is just my horse of a lifetime, he’s incredible,”said Laura.
“He’s just so talented and I think, for me, it’s knowing what he was like as a young horse and knowing how much he’s had to trust me and believe in me… he’s not a natural cross-country horse, and then he goes round a course like that on railways tracks – it just shows what a partnership you can build up if you make them believe in you.”
Japan is in podium position, third with 93.8 penalties, so it’s pretty close among the current contenders for the medals, with Switzerland fourth on 102.4.
Michi had a blast while finishing well within the optimum time.
“Today was a lot of moments to enjoy. Chipmunk made it very easy for me. Every jump was easy — he was so well listening and connected to me, and so powerful galloping,” Michi said.
After checking his watch, he told Chipmunk “Okay, we have more time at the next fence so slow down, slow down!’ It was an unbelievable feeling. I’m so thankful to have such good horses, and to be at my fourth Olympic Games is a dream. It’s always a special feeling (at Olympic Games), even if it’s the first time here.”
In fact, he said Chipmunk felt so good that he wanted to do it all over again.
The best American performance belongs to Boyd Martin, who was disappointed in his dressage score Saturday after having flying change problems with Federman B. Cross-country made up for that.
Boyd called his horse, known as Bruno, “An absolute legend, a spring in every step of the way. I couldn’t have asked for anything more today.”
He moved up from twenty-sixth to seventeenth, with just 1.6 time penalties for a total of 32.1.
“He gave me his heart and soul,” said Boyd about his horse, noting that even when Bruno was a little tired near the end, “he kept going,” saying the few slippery spots in the footing didn’t faze a horse who is “sure-footed as a mountain goat.”
Boyd Martin and Federman B on course.
He was buoyed by the crowd’s enthusiasm, noting “I heard more cheers going `Bruno’ than `go Boyd.’” He called it, “one of the most memorable cross-country rounds in my life,” citing, “the venue, the crowds, the moment. I’ll remember this one forever.”
Boyd is optimistic about Monday’s show jumping finale, contending Bruno is is “probably the best jumping horse in the field. I’ve just got to ride well, stay calm and rely on our thousands of hours of practice.”
His other teammate, Liz Halliday, is twenty-second with Nutcracker on 34 penalties.
On a sad note, the oldest horse in the event, Forever Young Wundermaske, finished his Olympic quest at the third water obstacle. Rider Ron Gabala of Ecuador tipped off there from the 21-year-old horse, who has been retired twice but wanted to go back to work.
Click this link for individual standings. Team penalties were not updated Sunday night to show that Ireland had moved down a place.
| 2 |
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87.20 |
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| 3 |
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|
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93.80 |
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| 4 |
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102.40 |
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| 5 |
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|
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111.00 |
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| 6 |
|
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|
118.20 |
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| 7 |
|
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120.10 |
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| 8 |
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121.10 |
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| 9 |
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|
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128.50 |
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| 10 |
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147.50 |
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| 11 |
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158.00 |
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| 12 |
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177.40 |
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| 13 |
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229.10 |
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| 14 |
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278.90 |
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| 15 |
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294.30 |
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| 16 |
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391.10 |
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by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 27, 2024
The Phantom of the Opera, a funky fashion show, that mechanical horse with a silver-clad rider galloping down the Seine, where boats full of jubilant athletes celebrated the glory of being Olympians. A rare performance by ailing Celine Dion, a tortured torch relay that attempted to include as many French competitors as possible and a one-of-a-kind lighting of the cauldron with the Olympic flame, sending a hot air balloon skyward. And the first time the bells of Notre Dame rang out since a devastating 2019 fire. Wow!
With the memory of Friday evening’s crazy and colorful opening ceremonies lingering, the Paris Olympics got down to business Saturday morning as eventing dressage began, showcasing a quick, intense 3-minute, 50-second test (it doesn’t even include the customary initial halt) that had never been performed in competition prior to these Games.
There were 64 competitors crammed into one day of dressage, so three-day eventing really goes on three days, and not four, as is usual elsewhere in high-end events. The International Olympic Committee has strict guidelines to which eventing must adhere, so it can be included in future Olympics. There’s always a danger of all horse sports being dropped, which means one day of eventing dressage it is! (Someone on social media suggested the mechanical horse is the only horse that should be included in an Olympics, so you can see the perception problem.)
Britain went right to the forefront, with an amazing 17.5-penalty ride by Laura Collett and London 52. That’s an Olympic record for international test number 390 on Laura’s resume. Is it necessary to say that her horse didn’t put a foot wrong? Her marks for individual movements soared into the 80s, with 85 percent for her entry and 82 for shoulder-in. (Percentage points are converted to penalties for the standings.)
Record-setting Laura Collett and London 52. (photo Jon Stroud Media)
“That’s pretty cool,” Laura said when informed of her record. (The previous record is 19.3 penalties, set in 2000 at Sydney by Olympic individual gold medalist David O’Connor of the USA and adjusted so that test score jibes with current parameters.)
“That horse is one in a million,” Laura emphasized, saying he can handle the presence of a crowd, but hoped she hadn’t misspoke when she saw the size of the crowd at Versailles. She hadn’t. He was cool, calm and listening to her.
“He’s an absolute show-off and he loved being in front of a palace with crowd of people cheering him on, so I’m just so lucky to sit on a horse like that,”
She added, “That horse is unbelievable – what he’s done throughout my whole career is just amazing and he just keeps on delivering. I’m just very, very grateful to him. It’s safe to say that I’ve never enjoyed a dressage test more in my life.”
Combined with a score of 25.8 from early leader Tom McEwan on JL Dublin, and 23.4 from Ros Canter (favored to win the individual title) on Lordships Graffalo, Britain was well in the lead for team standings and in fact set a record for the lowest score after dressage at the Olympics (66.70). The previous record of 68.6 was set in Hong Kong in 2008 by Australia, according to our friends at EquiRatings, who are doing a great job of keeping everyone updated on analytics.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo.
Germany’s star, Michael Jung, just missed out on setting a world record of his own. His score with Chipmunk FRH was 17.8 penalties, a mere 0.3 back of Laura.
Tom McEwen said he had “a little bit more electricity” under him than usual with JL Dublin, as the horse took in the impressive Versailles vista. (photo Jon Stroud Media)
Germany’s Julia Krajewski on the 10-year-old Nickel 21, rode first in the competition and was very composed, considering her horse’s age and lack of experience. Nickel’s previous exposure to the big time stardom came at Aachen earlier this month, where he and Julia won.
Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21.
The only woman ever to earn Olympic eventing individual gold (2021) was a late call-up to the team, replacing Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz who was deemed not fit. Her mark of 26.9 penalties offered flowing but controlled flying changes and was good enough for fifteenth place.
Despite a flurry of anticipation that broke up the walk segment, Julia’s teammate, Christoph Wahler on Carjatan S, pulled into twenty-first place with 29.4 penalties. Germany stands second overall on 74.10 penalties. France edged into the top three with 80.7 penalties and the support of the flag-waving home crowd.
Where is the U.S. in all this? Sixth (88.9 penalties) behind New Zealand (83) and Japan (87.4).
Things didn’t go as hoped for the Americans, who lost a top prospect when both of Will Coleman’s horses were not fit to compete. That being said, the rider who replaced him, former traveling alternate Liz Halliday, was the highest-ranked for the U.S., in nineteenth place on Nutcracker with 28 penalties in her first Olympics.
Anchor rider Boyd Martin thought his mount, Federman B, was set for a special performance, but noted the left to right flying changes became “a bit of a muddle” leading up the event.
He called his ride “an awesome test, except for two moments which were disastrous.”
The number six-ranked rider in the world added with a resigned tone, ” l sort of felt like I gave my all. It would have been awesome to have four great changes, but it wasn’t to be today.”
Boyd is twenty-sixth on 30.5 penalties and looking forward to Sunday’s cross-country, saying “I’ve got complete belief in Bruno,” as his horse is known.
His plan calls for him to go “fast but calm at the beginning. There’s nothing I see out there he can’t do, but I see a lot of jumps he could have a mistake at.”
Boyd Martin and Federman B.
“It’s a hell of a course out there, but I think my horse is tailor-made for this track. I’ve got to stay switched on for every jump, every stride. I feel like the American horses are in a great place and this is our opportunity to have a crack at this.”
The first U.S. rider to go, Caroline Pamukcu, made a nice impression in her Olympic debut, where she has said her focus is entirely on the team, not individual glory. The Pan American Games individual gold medalist kept the lid on HSH Blake when he spooked during the half-pass, and one flying change was a bit of a scramble. But a score of 30.4 for twenty-fifth place was admirable, considering the imposing atmosphere in the arena at Versailles.
Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake.
She repeated that old saying, it’s not a dressage competition, and knows the cross-country test is demanding. There are, she said, no “gimme” fences on the route designed by Pierre Le Goupil.
Liz Halliday triumphant after her test on Nutcracker.
Liz produced a very determined test with Nutcracker from the get-go, receiving a mark of 80 percent (that’s Isabell Werth territory) for her entrance into the arena. Finding out at the last minute that she would be riding in the Games after all left Liz with a feeling of sadness for Will Coleman and his disappointment. Then her mood went from “shock, to oh my gosh, to okay, `now I’m just going to be a competitor again.’ ”
Getting to ride in the Games was emotional for her; she sheepishly admitted she cried on Olympic TV.
Liz Halliday and Nutcracker. (US Equestrian Photo)
We should mention Australia’s Shane Rose, who many thought would not make it to the Olympics after enduring fractures to his elbow, femur, pelvis and ribs following an accident during training in March. But they didn’t know Shane. He is very much in Paris and was riding well despite what he’d been through, standing thirty-eighth aboard 19-year-old Virgil.
Shane Rose and Virgil.
Click here for individual results. Click this link for team results.
There is much more to come. Keep returning to this website, where we will tell you what happened on cross-country, where the action begins Sunday at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 12, 2024
You know who the U.S. is sending to the Olympics this month–this website has publicized the looong team selection process and named the names of who has been selected in all three disciplines.
But what about the other 48 countries that are entering the equestrian competitions in Paris? Peruse the list of definite entries. It’s fun to see who is riding for Greece, Latvia, Japan or other countries that haven’t been on your radar. Remember, there are only three riders on a team, but each squad has an alternate and the rules allow for substitution under certain circumstances.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is the only equestrian competing at the Olympics who will be going for two individual gold medals in a row on the same horse. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Click here for the list of show jumping entries from 35 countries, on this link for eventing entries from 27 countries and here for dressage, in which 30 countries will have representation.
This is how the stadium at Versailles will look during the Games. (FEI photo)
Equestrian competition is not being held in the heart of Paris, but in Versailles, 12 miles west of the city. The setting includes the palace that originally was the home of Louis XIV, and an array of gardens. When the Olympics aren’t being staged, it is a public park.
Britain’s Ben Maher will be trying for a second Olympic individual gold medal in show jumping, but on a different horse than he rode last time. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
The lone Olympic equestrian individual gold medalist who will be defending a Tokyo Games title on the same horse is Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with TSF Dalera BB. Britain’s show jumping gold medalist, Ben Maher, will be on a different mount, Point Break, while Germany’s individual medalist Julia Krajewski (the first woman to take the title in that sport) is an alternate for her nation.
The competition will be held six hours later than Eastern Daylight Savings Time, which means if you want to watch everything and live in the East, you’ll have to get up at 4 or 5 a.m. many days. If you live in California, you could just stay up all night.
But don’t worry, we’ll be telling you what happens right here every day, starting with July 27 and the dressage Grand Prix. We’ll keep reminding you that it’s possible to sleep in and still be up to speed by coming to this website after the competition ends each day.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 23, 2024
In a shocking development, Britain’s dressage queen, Charlotte Dujardin, has been provisionally suspended by the FEI a week before she was scheduled to ride in the Olympics, after a 2.5-year-old video surfaced that showed her making “an error of judgment” during a coaching session.
The video came out on social media Wednesday and showed her aggressively hitting her student’s cantering horse with a longe whip, prompting the animal to kick out several times. The video was taken during a lesson at a private stable.
Dujardin, who dominated headlines with her team and individual gold medal at the London 2012 Games on Valegro, made headlines of another kind on Tuesday as she withdrew herself from the Olympics and other competitions while the FEI investigates.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” she stated on social media.
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment,” she said.
“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors. I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete,” she concluded.
Netherlands website Horses.nl stated Dutch attorney Stephan Wensing, who is a rider and trainer, filed a complaint on behalf of a client with the FEI and British Equestrian Federation about Dujardin’s actions as depicted on the video. Wensing is a specialist in equine law and has co-authored a book entitled, “Plea for the Horse.”
Wensing stated, “It is unacceptable that dressage sport should be accompanied by animal abuse. If top sport can only be performed in such a way that the welfare of the horse is compromised, then top sport should be abolished.
“Everyone who handles horses has their own responsibility and this also applies to bystanders who become aware of excesses. Equestrian sport must regulate itself and ensure that there can never be a discussion about horse welfare in sport again. This is a very important task for the judges who have lost sight of the core value of dressage for far too long and have overvalued the spastic movements of horses.”
Dressage has experienced a number of scandals recently, with the FEI looking into Cesar Parra’s training methods as depicted on video, and the decision of the Danish federation to suspend Andreas Helgstrand from being considered for the Olympic team after an undercover video of training at his stables was televised.
Wensing noted about Dujardin’s case, “It is extremely sad that one of the most successful riders in the world has to suffer. But this rider has also not taken any responsibility and this cannot go unpunished. The federations and in particular the FEI can be expected to take even more adequate action against animal abuse precisely to safeguard the survival of equestrian sports.”
Social license to operate is a major issue for horse sports, and the Olympics is equestrian sport’s biggest stage. For the first time during the Olympics, there will be an equine welfare coordinator whose mission is aimed at ensuring all stakeholders play by the welfare rules. Go to the On the Rail section of the website to read the link, or click here.
Britain was on track to challenge Germany for the team gold medal at the Olympics, while Dujardin, riding Imhotep, would have become her country’s most decorated Olympian in any sport if she had won any medal in Paris. Could that have played into the timing of the complaint being field, years after the incident?
In addition to her London gold medals, Dujardin and Valegro earned individual gold and team silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics and she took individual bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
Carl Hester, Dujardin’s mentor (Fame) and world champion Lottie Fry (Glamourdale) now will be joined in the team competition by alternate Becky Moody (Jagerbomb).
Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in the 2012 Olympics. (Photo © 2012 by Nancy Jaffer)
A statement from the FEI said it received a video on Monday “depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant. According to the information received, the footage allegedly was taken several years ago during a training session conducted by Ms. Dujardin at a private stable.
“Upon receiving the video, the FEI initiated an investigation. As part of this investigation, Ms. Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage were informed of the allegations.”
After being given a deadline to respond by 5 p.m. Swiss time on Tuesday, Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.
The FEI announced the rider’s provisional suspension, effective immediately.
“During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation (NF). This also includes any FEI or NF (national federation)-related activities. In addition, the British Equestrian Federation has mirrored this provisional suspension, which also makes Ms. Dujardin ineligible to compete in any national events during this period.”
Dujardin and Imhotep, who would have been her Olympic mount, at the London International Horse Show.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos said, “We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised.
“Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognize and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”
The FEI further stated that on Tuesday, Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation.
“The FEI condemns any conduct contrary to the welfare of horses and has robust rules in place to address such behavior. Our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare and sportsmanship remains unwavering.”
The FEI acknowledges the cooperation of Charlotte Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage with the ongoing investigation and intends to proceed as swiftly as possible.
British Equestrian Chief Executive Jim Eyre commented; “As the guardians of equestrian sport, we must uphold the highest standards of equine welfare – the horse’s well-being is paramount. We have been in close liaison with the FEI on the matter and will fully comply with any requests to fulfill their investigation and support the robust processes around such complaints. The allegations made are serious and the consequences far reaching but upholding the integrity of our sport remains our priority – we are privileged to enjoy the company of horses; we must never compromise on their well-being. We will continue to work with the FEI and Charlotte to complete the process.”
British Dressage Chief Executive Jason Brautigam added; “At British Dressage our commitment is to ‘bring people and horses together in harmony’, and as part of this we constantly strive to achieve the highest standards of horse care. We do not condone any behavior that goes against our guiding principles and take a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our equine welfare policies. These historic allegations are deeply upsetting for everyone involved in our sport, but we fully support the FEI investigation and will take any appropriate disciplinary action when this process is complete. Our priority now is to rally behind our athletes and horses representing Team GB in Paris as they take on the responsibility of showcasing the best of our sport on the world stage.
British Equestrian Performance Director and Team GB Equestrian Team Leader Helen Nicholls said; “Obviously the events of the last 24 hours have been disappointing on many levels for all affected. No one more than Charlotte Dujardin recognizes the part welfare holds in sport and as such has done the right thing in stepping down to allow the FEI tribunal to take place in a timely manner. Our focus remains on supporting our athletes to deliver to their potential on the world stage and we look forward to the Games getting underway on Saturday.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2024
After nearly five years of tumult that included a high-profile trial, jail time and stays in psychiatric institutions, a court hearing this week indicated dressage trainer Michael Barisone may be a step closer to resuming his life with horses.
Since being discharged from Greystone Psychiatric Hospital in November, Barisone has been free to travel around New Jersey as he wishes, but is prohibited from leaving the state while he is under supervision of the court.
He wants to move to Loxahatchee, Fla., where he owns a farm with his fiancée, Lara Osborne, so he can work with his horses that are stabled there and continue the relationship with his partner.
In 2022, Barisone was found not guilty by reason of insanity on a second-degree attempted murder charge involving Lauren Kanarek, a former student and tenant he was charged with shooting twice in August 2019. He has stated he has no recollection of the incident that transpired after Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, clashed with him repeatedly.
Barisone, the alternate for the 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team, has been subject to periodic Krol hearings. They are held to judge the progress of a criminal defendant who has been confined to a psychiatric institution following a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
During Tuesday’s Krol hearing in Morristown, N.J., before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor, Barisone’s lawyers, Ed Bilinkas and Chris Deininger, asked that their client be allowed to go to Florida.
Michael Barisone and attorney Ed Bilinkas. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I’m not disinclined to do that, I’ll be honest with you,” said the judge.
“I think it’s important for Mr. Barisone to get on with his life. But I also have to recognize there are dangers here…this was an exceedingly violent offense that almost cost the life of Miss Kanarek.”
The judge also pointed out that she lives near Barisone’s Florida farm and is involved with the equestrian scene, which prompts him to be concerned about what might happen if Barisone encounters her in the area.
“How is that going to end up? Is that likely?” asked Taylor. “I don’t know.”
Dr. Jonathan Wall, a psychologist who has been treating Barisone in New Jersey, was questioned by both Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn and Barisone’s lawyers about his client’s state of mind.
Barisone had been abused as a child. When Barisone was dealing with Kanarek, he suffered from delusional disorder and believed she was trying to kill him, a psychologist said during his November hearing.
Wall said Barisone currently has no symptoms of clinical depression, but was sad about what has happened to his career since the shooting, telling the doctor, “This would have been my year.”
Under questioning by Bilinkas, Wall agreed that Barisone has admitted responsibility for the shooting and is remorseful for his conduct. He also agreed that after therapy, he saw “no further signs of any delusional thinking” and it is unlikely that Barisone “would suffer another delusional event” like the one that ended in tragedy.
The psychologist said in his report to the court he addressed “managing the risk,” but did not administer a risk assessment.
“I did not find Dr. Wall’s testimony particularly helpful,” the judge said later in the proceedings, noting there was nothing in his report about “dangerousness.”
“That’s the whole purpose of this,” the judge commented.
Barisone’s team is proposing that if he moved to Florida, he would be treated there by another psychologist, Dr. David Landry.
Looking at Landry’s resume, Taylor noted that he does evaluations of clients and said it appeared he has been involved in the court system “and may have a better understanding of what is required here,” citing “some assessment of continued dangerousness.”
Osborne, who got to know Barisone in 2018 when her daughter began riding with him, testified about Barisone’s living conditions in a gated community, where their farm is also gated. In response to a question from Schellhorn, she said there are no guns on the property.
Judge Stephen Taylor and Lara Osborne. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Taylor is concerned about “the authority of the court” once Barisone leaves New Jersey.
He said he is not at the point where he wants to give up jurisdiction, and feels it is necessary to have a mechanism in place that would allow the court to have Barisone brought back to New Jersey if, for instance, he stops going to the doctor in Florida.
At some juncture, Taylor said, “if he continues to progress, maybe we’ll get to the point where supervision is not necessary. We’re not at that point right now.”
Schellhorn asked the court to continue Barisone on his therapy and the current set of conditions, seeing no reason to change them. If Barisone violated conditions or began to exhibit signs of additional psychosis in Florida, the prosecutor was not sure what the mechanism would be to bring him back to New Jersey. At this point, risk “does appear to be relatively low,” but he noted Barisone is not in proximity to Kanarek. That risk would increase if he were to move to Florida, said Schellhorn.
Bilinkas noted for Barisone to be separated from Osborne and other family members in Florida “could have a deleterious effect if this continues,” were he “not allowed to go to his own home.”
The lawyer contends “he needs to be able to make a living, he needs to be able to help his fiancée” and without being in Florida, “it will be more difficult for him to survive financially.”
The judge said he is not inclined to release Barisone without supervision. Taylor asked for briefs from the attorneys about how Barisone legally could be returned to New Jersey from Florida. The judge also added he would like a certification from Landry that he is willing to take the case. Another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 30.
Meanwhile, Barisone, who will be 60 next month, has been living in Readington at the home of a former client, doing repairs for her, working on his collection of old trucks and cars, writing a book and exercising. He would like to be able to visit his friends in other states “and just go back to living,” he said during an interview outside the courtroom.
The trainer has not competed at FEI level since 2016. He is under an interim suspension from SafeSport and the U.S. Equestrian Federation, pending the outcome of a formal investigation and final decision, which means he can’t attend shows or teach.
His dream?
“I want to ride a horse in the World Cup or the WEG (World Equestrian Games) one more time,” he said.
“That will be enough.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 7, 2024
Here’s a lesson that rider Richard Vogel learned the hard way in the Rolex Grand Prix Sunday at Aachen—don’t celebrate your victory until you’re sure you’ve won.
Richard Vogel celebrates victory a moment too early.
The German, a real star in the show jumping at the International Equestrian Festival this year, was on his way to claiming the featured class aboard the fabulous United Touch S as they rose over the last jump. While his horse was landing with what would be the fastest time (38.64 seconds), he raised his arm in triumph and gave a thumbs up. Except that a rail was falling at the Rolex vertical even as he did so.
“I didn’t take all the risk to the last and I was still quite sure the time was good enough and then he was over the fence in front, but not behind yet. He touched it lightly behind and we had the rail,” said Richard, noting before the pole hit the ground, “I was sure the luck was on our side.”
Richard, who won the show’s style award, wound up third, behind runner-up McLain Ward of the U.S. on Ilex (clear in 41.02) and German rider Andre Thieme (0/39.77), who was overcome with emotion as he realized he just had earned the prestigious title. The first thing he did was repeatedly kiss his horse, DSP Chakaria, saying “I love her just like my wife.”
(His wife doesn’t mind that when she gets a winner’s check, he noted).
“She’s a lifetime horse for me,” he said of the 14-year-old Brandenburg mare (Chap 47 X Askari 173).
Although he’s the former European champion, Andre is very modest. So when it came to a class that is “every rider’s lifetime dream,” Andre confided, “I thought I’d never have a chance, ever.”
Andre Thieme enjoys his victory gallop.
His victory came because “I turned really short and aggressive” to the next-to-last fence” he recounted, but as he headed to that fateful Rolex vertical, he kept thinking “I’m not going to get there. But somehow, I got there and she cleared it. I think the risk to the last two jumps and her quickness made it in the end happen.”
He couldn’t ask for anything more than what he achieved in front of a cheering crowd of 40,000.
“If I would be two years older, I’d probably say `I’m done now,’” the 49-year-old rider mused.
For his part, “I thought this morning that if I was ahead of Richie, it was good enough,” said McLain, who is buddies with Vogel.
“This grand prix has eluded me.”
McLain Ward and Ilex. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
As he watched Andre go and saw that he had beaten Ilex’s time, McLain briefly put his head in his hands and then, in a gesture of sportsmanship, gave Andre a thumbs-up.
McLain learns he has lost the class, but gave a thumbs up to Andre a moment later.
This was only the second jump-off experience McLain has had with Ilex, who will be his mount for the Paris Olympics. The 11-year-old Dutchbred gelding (Baltic VDL X Chin Chin) was ridden by Fabio Leivas Da Costa of Brazil until McLain started showing him in February.
“I believe in his stride and his step,” said McLain.
“He did everything exactly the way I planned. In hindsight, I could have done eight (strides) to the last pretty easily. You always kick yourself a little bit. Andre took a great risk and it paid off and that’s great sport.”
McLain placed high in the classes he entered and was awarded a trophy for being the best-placed jumping rider over the course of the show, but didn’t win a competition. He noted, though, that “it probably would have been a very good Aachen” if Richard “hadn’t had the week of a lifetime.”
You can see why Richard Vogel won the style award at Aachen. (Hubert Fischer photo)
Aachen was the first leg of the Rolex Grand Slam for Andre. Next up is Spruce Meadows. Anyone who wins three legs in row gets a 1 million Euro bonus. Only one rider, Scott Brash of Great Britain, has ever done it.
Spruce Meadows hosts the next leg of the Rolex Grand Slam this September.
The Aachen grand prix drew 40 starters, with 18 qualifying for a second round over a different route designed by Frank Rothenberger. Only four then made the tiebreaker.
In its detailed form guide, EquiRatings gave United Touch S a 7 percent chance of winning, along with Baloutinue, the mount of the USA’s Laura Kraut, and Dallas Vegas Batilly, ridden by Britain’s Ben Maher. That horse won the Halla Trophy for being the most successful jumping horse of the show. EquiRating’s highest win chance of 11 percent was Leone Jei, ridden by Martin Fuchs of Switzerland. He wound up fourth with 4 faults. Neither Chakaria or Ilex had their win chances rated.
Finishing twelfth with a knockdown in the first round and a clean trip in the second round was Laura with Baloutinue. She will be McLain’s teammate at the Olympics, along with Kent Farrington (who wasn’t at Aachen).
“It’s a nice set-up to Paris,” said U.S. Coach Robert Ridland, who was happy to end on a good note after his team failed to qualify for the second round of the Nations Cup on Thursday.
Asked if thought he might be named to the fourth spot on the German team in the Olympics, Andre said no, noting that chance was gone when he didn’t produce a clear round in the Nations Cup. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He had been so tense worrying about making the Games team that it affected his performance.
“I wanted it too much,” he explained.
“My wife said I was not the same person.”
When he finally gave up on the hope, “something changed and I felt relieved, I felt myself again.”
So he had a beer.
“I can live with being number five for the Olympics,” he said.
The show, which drew more than 370,000 visitors over 10 days, ended with its traditional, “Farewell to the Nations.”
Everyone in the stands waved white handkerchiefs while the riders, some on foot and some on horseback, joyfully waved back (and drivers with two four-in-hands did the same) to the traditional tune about leaving, “Muss I Denn” played over and over.
There’s nothing like Aachen anywhere else on earth.
click here for results of Rolex Grand Prix
