by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 6, 2024
The U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team earned its first-ever team gold, securing the title with a score of 235.567 following three team rides Friday from Roxanne Trunnell (Grade I) and Fanta Tastico H, Fiona Howard (Grade II) and Diamond Dunes, and Rebecca Hart (Grade III) and Floratina.
Fiona Howard, Becca Hart and Roxanne Trunnell with U.S. chef d’equipe Michel Assouline and their team gold medals. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
The Dutch posed the biggest challenge this time around, after stellar individual results and they finished with silver on 232.850. Germany was third with 223.51. Britain, which had dominated para dressage since its inception, was sixth (219.562).
“We’ve been in front for such a long time,” said Britain’s Natasha Baker, who scored 75.367 percent on Dawn Chorus in Grade III.
“We didn’t expect to be bringing home the team gold in Tokyo, so that was unreal. The rest of the world has caught up with us now. It’s just going to be a case of us trying to find ways that we can sneak back to the top again.”
Michel Assouline, who previously was the British para team’s chef d’equipe, has been the guiding force of the U.S. team since leaving the British squad.
Fiona’s 80 percent on Diamond Dunes – the highest individual score of Paris 2024 to date — added to Roxanne’s 77 percent put the USA narrowly ahead of the Netherlands, for which the Grade IV duo of Sanne Voets on Demantur (76.567 percent) and Demi Haerkens with Daula (78.216 percent) set the early pace.
While there was excitement around Versailles that Fiona’s score could be a new Paralympic record, due to changes in the tests since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, it is not possible to make direct comparisons or officially recognize it as a record, but it still is quite an achievement.
“I came out the ring and thought, ‘that felt really good’, but you never know,” said Fiona, who now has two golds in her first Paralympic Games. “Whatever the score was, I was super proud of him.”
Becca entered the arena on Floratina knowing she needed a personal best score to take gold.
“It’s always a bit intense being the ‘closer’ for your team and it was a very pressure-cooker situation,” said Becca, who along with Roxanne and Kate Shoemaker, was part of the USA team that took bronze at Tokyo 2020.
“I was definitely doing the math. I think my previous best was a 75-something, so it was a jump. I had a quick peek at the board and went ‘OK, let’s go, game on’. I knew we had to do something pretty special.” And she did.
“This is the completion of a long-timed, well-planned dream( for the U.S.), going back to Tryon 2018, where we started to actually make changes,” said Michel Assouline.
“In Tokyo, when we won bronze, I had a clear plan and strategy in place, and in my mind, to earn that team medal. I just knew it had to be gold in Paris for us.
“It has been three years of very hard work, planning, logistics, competition strategies, both for Europe and in the U.S. The horsepower, the coaches, and the whole program had to be revamped to get to this point. It’s a funny thing to think – it’s what I expected — but you never want to talk about it openly. I had it in mind that this was our goal and here we are. This feels like such an amazing accomplishment for everyone who has been involved with this program over the years.”
It’s the USA’s second consecutive Paralympic team medal. The U.S. is only the third nation (after Germany and Great Britain) to win two individual gold medals in one Games, according to EquiRatings. Of course, it must be said that Britain, a paralympics juggernaut that was double gold in 2008, won two more in 2012 and three in 2016.
This was the first time the U.S.won three medals in the individual classification. Even before the team competition, the country had matched its highest Para medal count, from 1996 in Atlanta and 2021 in Tokyo.
The only U.S. non-medalist so far is Kate Shoemaker, fifth in the Grade IV competition. However, she qualified for Saturday’s freestyle, as did individual gold medalists Becca and Fiona, as well as individual silver medalist Roxanne.
Click here for Para team results
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 6, 2024
Chester Weber, who has long been a star in the dressage segment of four-in-hand driving, outdid himself on Friday in Hungary with a record score of 31.06 penalties.
Chester Weber after his record-setting dressage performance. (FEI photo)
He leads the field of 41 at the world championships, earning four 10s and one 9.5 for general impression and presentation.
“I’m humbled to sit behind these horses, even though I’ve had most of them since they were four,” said Chester.
“They’ve been produced not only by me but by a synergistic team of people who all have yoked together to help make this sort of perfection. ”
Added Weber, “I knew that we came in as potential leaders, but you still have to make it happen, so I started the warmup only 35 minutes before the test and kept everything quiet and soft. Every time I asked a question today, the horses said, ‘Yes’ so I tried not to get in their way, and they really deserve this win.”
Boyd Exell of Australia, the number one-ranked four-in-hand driver in the world, stands second on 33.53 penalties. Anna Sandmann of Germany is third (40.99).
The other U.S. driver, Jimmy Fairclough, is twenty-ninth on a score of 60.23. The U.S.team stands fourth of 10 countries on 91.29 penalties, behind leader Australia (80.91). The Netherlands is second on 86.44 and Germany is third with 89.29.
Jimmy, who was Chester’s teammate on the USA’s 2018 world championships gold medal squad, hasn’t been having an easy time of it recently. On July 30, his dressage leader, Jake, suffered a fatal colic, leaving Jimmy with just four horses.
Chester came through with Gouveneur for Jimmy to lease. Then last Monday, “when we entered the stabling here, my marathon leader, Dapper, got his teeth stuck in the stall bars and broke off his front teeth,” Jimmy recounted.
“He is recovering from surgery at the clinic. Our marathon and cones will be interesting as I’ve never driven a hazard or cones course with Gouveneur,” noted Jimmy, who thanked Chester for his help.
Ever the tough challenger when a gauntlet is laid down, defending Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) followed in the final session of the day. His experienced team produced another superb test to score 33.53 which meant only he and Chester went sub-40. Later Boyd said that he was especially pleased with the horses as they are marathon specialists, so they did brilliantly to get so close to Chester’s mark. He also paid tribute to Anna Sandmann’s test on Thursday stating that it wasn’t easy for her to score so well on day one and maintain her leading position for so long.
Boyd’s score put Australia ahead in the team competition with 80.91 after his compatriot Tor van den Berge produced an improved test for 47.38. Not far behind are the Dutch on 86.44 after father and son Chardon had only 0.2 between them – Bram scored 43.12 for fifth and Ijsbrand 43.32 for sixth.
As the penultimate athlete to drive, there was expectation that Germany’s Mareike Harm would post another strong score, and she slotted in behind Anna on 42.18. It was enough to put Germany into third place as – combined with Georg von Stein’s 47.11 – they are on 89.29. The USA are fourth, Belgium fifth and hosts Hungary are sixth after Zόltan Lázár (HUN) rounded off the second morning session with 47.51.
Chester said afterwards that his strategy going into the marathon with Boyd so close is to just go for it. Both attended the test event last year and selected horses they feel with thrive over the undulating ground and through the long obstacles.
They will both try to put pressure on each other, but Chester uses the analogy with golf, saying that he tends to compete against himself and tries not to pay too much attention to what’s happening elsewhere. He’s brought a new horse, Casper, in the left lead which is a change from his Aachen combination as he feels it will add a lot of strength to the team.
The eight obstacles are situated outside the town of Szilvásvárad and have been designed by Alexander Flocke (GER).
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2024
Jack Levy wasn’t a horseman to begin with. He was in the nursing uniform industry, where he did wholesale, retail and catalogues when he got a call from Miller Harness Co., which was looking for a CEO with his skill set..
His experience got him the job and in what would be typical Jack fashion, he was off and running a few days later, flying to Germany to get immersed in the business.
A savvy executive who made the equestrian scene his own — to the benefit of companies with which he was associated — his kindness, caring and guidance also benefited so many of the people in the horse industry. Whether they were employees or just those who got to know him along the circuit, they all enjoyed something special when Jack became their friend.
He died Saturday at the age of 88 after a fall following his battle with a long illness.
“He’s a fighter, and he wasn’t going to give in,” said his wife, Fran, noting he would go to his desk in their Pennsylvania home every morning at 6:30 to continue his work.
“He was such a voice for this industry and for people riding,” said Fran.
Although he had never ridden before taking the Miller’s job, Jack did get on a horse in Argentina when he went to see a saddlemaker, and rode a cutting horse at a market in Denver during the National Western Stock Show, Fran recalled. Jack went on to work for Weatherbeeta and most recently, as a consultant for Timmy Sharma at JPC Equestrian.
Wherever he was employed, Jack was someone who believed in helping others.
Jack Levy was always willing to help.
“He understood that the success of his team was far more important than any individual success of his own,” said Rosemary Staeck, who runs the online company EquusNow, which specializes in English tack and riding apparel.
She got her start at Miller’s with Jack, and credits him with her success.
“There was no greater leader than Jack,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without Jack’s mentorship and faith in me. He could build a team that had such passion and drive. He celebrated others’ victories with such pride.”
She remembered that when she would go to him with a problem, he didn’t give her advice. Instead, he would tell her a story and in it, she would find the answers she was seeking.
“You never left a conversation with him without feeling better,” she recalled.
“He made you feel like you were the most important person on earth.”
Jack, who also had worked for Weatherbeeta, went on to be a consultant for JPC.
Timmy said he had received an email from Jack the day before he died. Work was what Jack did.
“He opened up a lot of doors for us,” said Timmy.
“He was a true visionary. I’m so blessed he came into my life.”
Of course, like so many others, Timmy deeply feels the loss of a man who was one of a kind.
“Now that Jack is no longer a phone call away, I will have to ask, `What would Jack do?’ His wisdom and guidance have left an indelible mark on my heart and mind, and I know many others feel the same.
“Until we meet again, my mentor and friend. Thank you for the lessons, the memories, and the music that will forever play in our hearts. Rest in peace, Jack. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”
In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his daughter, Donna Chirico; sons Robert (Julie), Justin (Shauna), Jon (Ferrin) and 12 grandchildren. He also will be missed by his Doberman, Fritzi, and cat, Max.
There will be a celebration of Jack’s life Sept. 22 in Westchester Country, N.Y., with details to come. Donations in his memory may be made to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation (USET.org). Click the donate button if using the website, specifying Jack Levy’s name when making the donation. Donations may also be made by mail at the USET Foundation, P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, NJ 07934-0355, or call (908) 234-1251 for more information.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 30, 2024
Michael Barisone made progress toward resuming his career as a dressage trainer on Friday, when a judge gave permission for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team alternate to leave New Jersey and travel to his Florida horse farm.
“I do think it is appropriate at this time to take the next step in relaxation of restraints on Mr. Barisone to allow him to return to Florida,” said Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor in Morristown, N.J.
“I need to figure out how I’m going to move forward,” said Barisone, 60, who is under an interim suspension by the U.S. Equestrian Federation for “allegations of misconduct,” so his legal issues are ongoing.
“We feel confident he will be reinstated,” said attorney Ed Bilinkas, who represented Barisone with attorney Chris Deininger.
It is five years since Barisone has been anywhere near a horse, after being arrested for the 2019 shooting of his student, Lauren Kanarek, at his Long Valley, N.J., farm. He said he doesn’t remember the incident, which left her clinging to life in a hospital Intensive Care Unit. Kanarek took two bullets in the chest during a confrontation, the culmination of tensions that had escalated for months between Barisone and his tenants, Kanarek and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin.
In 2022, during a trial that drew international attention, a psychiatrist testified the horseman “became increasingly desperate, because he saw himself in a situation in which he was being physically threated by Lauren Kanarek and Robert Goodwin…He was afraid he’d be killed and wanted to defend himself.”
During the trial, Bilinkas asked Kanarek whether she was bent on destroying Barisone and threatening everything he held dear. She replied, “at some point, yes.”
After the jury deliberated for more than three days, Barisone was found not guilty by reason of insanity on a charge of second-degree attempted murder. Following his time in jail and psychiatric institutions, at a Krol hearing last fall the judge gave permission for Barisone to be released from Greystone Psychiatric Hospital and live at the home of a friend, Brenda Putnam-Higgins in Readington, N.J., where he has been busy doing repairs and driving her to doctors, grateful for her help.
Michael Barisone in his competition days. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
But the judge ruled at the 2023 court session that Barisone could not leave the state. Krol hearings are held periodically to determine the progress of a criminal defendant who has been confined to a psychiatric institution following a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. At Friday’s Krol hearing, Taylor imposed several conditions in connection with allowing Barisone to go to the farm in Loxahatchee, Fla., he shares with his fiancée, Lara Osborne.
Noting that Kanarek resides about five miles from Barisone’s property, Taylor said “the court does have some significant concern” about Barisone being there “because of its location close to where the victim lives.”
Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
He also noted that with Barisone’s return to the equestrian community, he might run into Kanarek somewhere.
“And there’s no telling what Miss Kanarek’s reaction may be to see Mr. Barisone,” nor the reaction of both people’s supporters, Taylor commented. For that reason, he wants to continue Barisone on Krol status, meaning he will have to return to New Jersey for hearings. The next is scheduled for February.
Taylor, who believes lessening of any restraint on Barisone should be gradual, specified that he cannot go to any state except New Jersey or Florida, he should continue with treatment by a psychologist and no guns can be brought to the Florida farm. The judge warned that should Barisone refuse to return for a Krol hearing, he could face a criminal contempt complaint.
After the hearing, Bilinkas said about his client, “I clearly think him being back with his family in his own home is going to help his mental health and he’ll progress to the point where he doesn’t need any more supervision. To me, this is the first big step and it’s extremely important.”
Michael Barisone and Lara Osborne with attorneys Ed Bilinkas (left) and Chris Deininger (right). (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Morris County Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn told the judge at the start of the hearing that the restraints keeping Barisone in New Jersey were appropriate in relation to a psychiatric diagnosis of delusional disorder. He contended that could present a risk because Barisone “will always believe at some level that Lauren Kanarek was bound and determined to destroy and kill him,” something Schellhorn said was a belief “not based in reality.”
Lauren Kanarek’s mother, Kirby Kanarek, said before the hearing that she was upset by the thought that Barisone could be moving to Florida.
“He’s never really apologized to us. He never apologized to my daughter. If he’s not apologizing, that means he doesn’t feel sorry,” insisted Mrs. Kanarek, who attended all the court hearings with her husband, Jonathan.
She is also disturbed that stories on social media posts “by some of the equestrian community are completely false and lies.
“I’m very upset that the equestrian community has gone after our family.
We didn’t pick up a gun and shoot anyone. My daughter was shot. He came down to her house and shot her. Her body was significantly damaged.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 28, 2024
A new competition series with $1 million in prize money for dressage, show jumping and eventing is being launched by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, with an eye toward the 2028 Olympics in California.
The disciplines all will have qualifiers and a finals at three different venues that will name a U.S. Equestrian Open champion in each. The finals will be broadcast on ESPN.
“The launch of the U.S. Equestrian Open series has been a priority for us. There’s a purpose-driven need for equestrian sport to produce a more commercially significant and identifiable championship model within the United States, particularly focused around the Olympic disciplines,” said David O’Connor, the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s chief of sport.
“We’ve seen new and creative branded series introduced across other mainstream sports, such as golf and tennis, which have experienced tremendous success, both from an athlete and spectator perspective. As an organization, we felt strongly we needed to move the needle forward in our sport by providing access to significant prize money and standing behind a unique model for each discipline, which encourages participation at the highest levels.”
The eventing final at 4-star Long with $200,000 in prize money will be held at Morven Park in Virginia, where the first qualifier will be staged this year.
The dressage final, with $200,000 in prize money and a $50,000 high point series incentive across the qualifiers, will be at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif. Athletes must complete a minimum of two Grand Prix Freestyles at designated US Open series qualifying CDIs during 2025.
The show jumping final, with $750,000 in prize money, will be held as part of the new Rolex series during the last week of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.
“This series is a testament to the growing momentum and mainstream appeal of equestrian disciplines, and we are proud to play a pivotal role in its success,” says Michael Stone, president of Wellington International.
A dedicated microsite, live leaderboard tracking, publicly accessible and enhanced horse and rider information, as well as significant mainstream airtime on major sports broadcasting platform, ESPN, alongside live coverage via USEFNetwork powered by ClipMyHorseTV, will aim to generate increased media value and public recognition of athletes, horses, horse owners, and organizers.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 22, 2024
Six years ago, the life of the Babington family changed forever.
Top international show jumper Kevin Babington suffered a disastrous fall with his horse in a grand prix, a crash that left him with a contusion of the spinal cord as a result of hyperextending his neck in the accident. The vertebrae hit the spinal cord, causing damage; it was a stretch and concussion injury from vertebra C3 to C5, which involves the diaphragm and mobility.
The man who had been the pillar of his family, wife Dianna and daughters Gwyneth and Marielle, suddenly found himself dependent on them and others. Not only was he unable to ride and earn a living the way he always had, he couldn’t walk, use his hands or do almost anything for himself. He’s also in chronic pain.
Kevin and Dianna Babington. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
With the primary breadwinner sidelined and in need of costly care, the family faced a future burdened with constant worry. Finances were a huge concern, but Kevin’s friends offered whatever aid they could.
One of the constants in the circle of help has been the Babington Benefit Horse Show, organized every year since a few weeks after his 2019 accident. It is held at Duncraven in Titusville, a scenic section of Hopewell Township, New Jersey.
This year’s show is Sept. 7, about a month earlier than usual due to various changes in the competition calendar, but that likely will be a blessing with better weather than the usual October date often brings.
All the labor for the show is done by volunteers. The Stout family who owns Duncraven enables use of the property free of charge, a tradition started by the previous owner, Tim Fedor. Kevin once had his business at that venue.
Kevin in the 2004 Olympics. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
The judges, Creigh Duncan, Abbe Wolfe, Bri Quinn and Michelle Morasky donate their time, as does secretary Mary Norris. The show is approved by the N.J. Professional Horseman’s Association, so riders can earn points toward that group’s awards.
Special classes offered include the Handy Hunter Derby with fences ranging from 2 feet to 3 feet, so everyone can choose their preferred height. There’s also a bareback ride-a-buck, a nod to Kevin’s appreciation of riding bareback. Young competitors tuck a $5 bill under their knees ($10 or $20 in the case of adults) and the winner is the last one whose “buck” hasn’t fallen. The victor gets half the money that has hit the ground, but they can donate that amount if they choose.
Entry fees and proceeds from a raffle go to the Babington Family Trust. It helps pay for the many things Kevin and his family need to live that aren’t covered by the Kevin Babington Foundation, which also aids other equestrians with spinal injuries.
Kevin on his victory lap after winning the Devon Horse Show Grand Prix in 2016 on Mark Q. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
The show has three co-managers: Nancy Wallis, Jennifer Cassidy and Julie Koveloski. Entries are through horseshowing.com at https://horseshowing.com
“As soon as we start putting out notices,” said Jennifer, “everyone gets excited about this every year. It’s a lot of support from the community.”
Kevin taking a view of the course at Devon during his riding days. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
The organizers are looking for volunteers, including those who can work two days before the show for set-up and the day after for take-down, as well as for jump crew on the day of the show. Nancy is happy to hear from anyone who wants to volunteer at (908) 256-3386. Jennifer’s number is (215) 954-9062.
The show also needs raffle items, which in the past have included gift baskets, tack and gift certificates for everything from horse transportation to dinners. Julie can be reached by those offering such items at (609) 439-8983.
Kevin, who rode for Ireland and tied for fourth in the 2004 Olympics, teaches from his wheelchair on the porch of his Loxahatchee, Fla., farm, where the family also has stalls for rent. Dianna also teaches to help support the family.
Nancy said every time she calls Kevin, he tells her he’s fine and doesn’t talk about himself. He works at his physical therapy and has been involved in a number of clinical trials. Kevin has not given up hope that he will walk again on his own, and perhaps be able to ride someday.
“We keep waiting for something to break,” Dianna said about innovative therapies that could make a big difference for her husband.
“We’re hopeful something in his lifetime will be available, but there’s still nothing. I think someday something will be able to fix this, but it’s just not far enough along now.”
She and Kevin are grateful for those who help, and note the benefit show has a special place in the couple’s hearts. A former resident of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Dianna said, “I love and miss the Northeast. It’s a community I wish I’d never had to leave. The people who are there are extremely special. I never feel like they have forgotten us.”
Other fundraisers have expanded from the Foundation to include special classes dedicated to Kevin at various shows, and even sponsorship of Kevin-related jumps.
Friends haven’t forgotten Kevin Babington. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
People who can’t make it to the show but want to donate may give to the Kevin Babington Trust, which goes directly to him for a variety of expenses that are related to his condition. Checks may be sent to Kevin at 13254 Casey Road, Loxahatchee, Fla. 33470.
Those looking for a tax deduction with their contribution can donate to the Kevin Babington Foundation. The 501(c)3 provides support not only to Kevin, but also to other show jumpers who have suffered spinal injuries. It helps pay for aides, which enables Dianna and Kevin’s girls to keep working.
Its mission for those seeking help includes outfitting vehicles for transportation and remodeling to make homes suitable for the disabled, but does not contribute toward daily expenses.
