The announcement Monday of the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s lifetime ban against 81-year-old former U.S. show jumping Coach George Morris triggered immediate outrage from top show jumpers and a host of others in the horse industry.
George Morris has been a popular clinician over the years, known for demonstrating techniques on a student’s horse. (Photo©by Nancy Jaffer)
During the days that followed, however, the focus turned to what many perceived as the inequities of SafeSport itself and the way it handles such cases. The entry on the SafeSport website for George, whose offense was listed as “sexual misconduct involving (a) minor” shows a highlighted penalty that reads, “permanently ineligible.” Yet the page also includes a notation: “subject to appeal/not yet final” which leads to the question of how someone already could be banned rather than suspended while waiting for the outcome of an appeal.
The center reacted to comments—many of them angry–from some of the thousands of people who have visited the new “I Stand with George” Facebook page that sprang up after news of Morris’s penalty.
“The culture of sports must shift to one that makes athlete well-being its top priority,” responded SafeSport spokesman Dan Hill. Asked about changes that can be made to the SafeSport Code, he noted it is on its third revision.
Morris had issued a statement, saying he is “deeply troubled by the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s findings regarding unsubstantiated charges for events that allegedly occurred between 1968 and 1972.
George Morris was a familiar face in the world’s most famous equestrian stadiums during his time as U.S. show jumping technical advisor. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
“I have devoted my life to equestrian sport and the development of future riders, coaches and Olympians. Any allegations that suggest I have acted in ways that are harmful to any individual, the broader equestrian community, and sport that I love dearly are false and hurtful.”
Former U.S. dressage technical advisor Robert Dover said the Safe Sport process is what he is “deeply concerned about and feel is in need of desperate change,” a sentiment echoed by many on Facebook.
Packy McGaughan, a lawyer and former eventing team member, has commented often on SafeSport.
“The problems we have with SafeSport do not turn on our belief that Mr. Morris is or is not guilty. Our discomfort comes from SS ability and willingness to burn someone at the stake using a process that is flawed and that cannot be reviewed by the people subject to it. This, to be blunt, is un-American and will only work to undermine SafeSport’s activities. Indeed, I think it already has.
While some have questioned why the actions of SafeSport have not been taken to court (always an expensive process), being associated with the negative side of “#Me Too” is unlikely to get many contributors.
“There is an enormous outcry for reform of this seriously flawed system as can be viewed minute by minute on social networks. Perhaps if we all get behind George both morally and financially, we together with George can make a change in this system,” said Bernie Traurig, who competed in the jumper, dressage and eventing ranks during a long and successful career.
While noting, “I applaud the efforts of all to protect our children from sexual abuse as well as any other abuse associated with imbalances of power,” he announced on Facebook that he is relinquishing his memberships in the U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Hunter Jumper Association and California Professional Horseman’s Association, all of which are under the SafeSport umbrella.
He noted that he is a member in good standing of the organizations, emphasizing, “I have committed no offenses of any kind, neither current or past, that would fall under the jurisdiction of Safe Sport.”
Bernie, who runs equestriancoach.com, continued, “Having said that, the issue is, and this goes for all members, anyone can make a false accusation and I/we are not protected to defend ourselves by due process. Currently, our federation cannot protect us from false accusations. If an accusation is believed by SafeSport, we go on that list immediately. As you know, there is a tremendous outcry to reform SafeSport from many, many people and other organizations. I believe and hope that one day it will be reformed and can gain the support from all for the great cause it represents.”
SafeSport does have a mission to fulfill in protecting those who are abused or bullied, and there is concern that victims may be blamed when someone is accused by SafeSport.
As SafeSport’s Dan Hill commented, “We are troubled by many of the responses to this matter which is why we remind all participants that abuse in any form, including bullying, especially of claimants/victims is not tolerated.”
In line with that, a posting on dressage rider Lauren Kanarek’s Facebook page of last Friday states: “I’m being bullied by a 6-3 man. Bullied to the point I’m afraid. It’s very complicated–I’m not sure of what I can say here—but it seems as if SafeSport was created for exactly that reason.”
Six days later, the rider who wrote the posting was shot twice in the chest during a dispute at dressage trainer Michael Barisone’s farm in Washington Township (Morris County) New Jersey. She was taken to Morristown Medical Center, where she originally had been listed in critical condition.
Michael Barisone in 2009 at his farm, where the shooting took place. (Photo© by Nancy Jaffer)
The Morris County Prosecutor’s office said Barisone, the alternate for the 2008 Olympic dressage team, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, which are crimes of the first degree, and two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, crimes of the second degree. The weapon was a handgun.
Barisone is in the Morris County Jail in Morristown and the the victim’s condition was upgraded to stable. The victim’s fiancee suffered a broken wrist and Barisone also was injured in the scuffle. He was hospitalized before being transferred to the jail. Barisone faces a pre-trial detention hearing on Wednesday.
Barisone has been absent from the show ring for nearly three years. His last FEI (international) victory was in 2014, when he won the Grand Prix Special on Ellegria in Saugerties, N.Y. In 2016, he trained Allison Brock on Rosevelt at the Rio Olympics, where she was part of the bronze medal team coached by U.S. Technical Advvisor Robert Dover.
