The world of elite equestrian sport is one of discipline, precision, and immense dedication. For Michael Barisone, an Olympic equestrian and trainer, this world was his lifelong stage. However, a shocking incident in 2019, where he was charged with the attempted murder of his student, Lauren Kanarek, dramatically shifted his trajectory from the winner’s circle to the courtroom. His subsequent trial, which explored a rare insanity defense, unveiled a complex narrative of ambition, tension, and psychological strain within the high-stakes environment of dressage. This is the story of a fall from grace and the legal battle that followed.
From Olympic Heights to Courtroom Depths
Michael Barisone, once lauded as a king in the equestrian world, found himself in a starkly different setting by the spring of 2022 – a courtroom in Morristown, New Jersey. His legal team argued that at the time of the shooting, Barisone had experienced a temporary lapse in sanity, driven to his breaking point by Kanarek’s alleged actions, particularly her use of social media. The prosecution, however, countered that Barisone was fully aware of his actions when he shot Kanarek. Lauren Kanarek, who survived the shooting, recounted the harrowing experience in court, detailing how Barisone allegedly shot her twice in the chest.
Barisone’s fall from grace was a profound shock to the equestrian community, a sport that values control and restraint. Fellow Olympians, including Michael Poulin and Phillip Dutton, expressed their dismay and concern for Barisone, highlighting his past as a dedicated and passionate figure in the sport. Boyd Martin recalled Barisone’s intensity and passion, noting his dual role as a successful competitor and a respected coach.
The Rise of Hawthorne Hill and Growing Tensions
Barisone’s success as a trainer allowed him to establish significant training facilities, including Hawthorne Hill in New Jersey, a sprawling 53-acre property that became a jewel in the equestrian landscape. It was here that students like Jordan Osborne, Lara Osborne, and Chelsea Westra trained under his tutelage. Lauren Kanarek, also aspiring to reach the top of the dressage world, joined Hawthorne Hill in March 2018, drawn by Barisone’s reputation. She was seeking a trainer who could push her, someone with proven experience, and Barisone seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
The arrangement appeared promising initially. Kanarek paid $5,000 a month for training and boarding her horses, and Barisone even provided her and her boyfriend, Rob Goodwin, with an apartment. Barisone considered Kanarek his partner, and his assistant trainer, Mary Haskins Gray, with whom he had a relationship, also lived on the property with her two young children. This shared living situation, however, began to breed underlying tensions.
“Great Expectations” Turn Sour
The dream partnership between Barisone and Kanarek began to unravel as summer 2019 approached. Kanarek reportedly expected exclusive training from Barisone, the Olympian, rather than sharing his attention with assistant trainers like Mary Haskins Gray. Barisone, however, maintained that he never exclusively trained any clients and that training was a community effort involving all his staff. This perceived lack of exclusive attention, coupled with financial considerations and interpersonal dynamics, fueled conflict.
The strain escalated, particularly between Kanarek and Mary Haskins Gray, with both vying for Barisone’s attention. Kanarek’s father, Jon Kanarek, stated that Lauren felt her horses were not being properly cared for and that she was being made to feel difficult. Simultaneously, Kanarek began a significant online campaign, using social media to articulate her grievances. Her posts, often framed as a chess game, depicted Barisone as the “King” who had been “captured and killed” and Haskins as the “Queen” to be “sacrificed.” These posts became increasingly ominous, creating an atmosphere of fear and escalating the “cold war” into a “hot war.”
The Escalation to Violence
The conflict reached a critical point when Lauren Kanarek filed a complaint with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, alleging bullying and body-shaming by Barisone and Haskins. The complaint also included allegations of child abuse, although it specified verbal rather than physical abuse. This report triggered an investigation by Child Protective Services, which arrived at Hawthorne Hill to assess the welfare of Haskins’ children. For Barisone, the accusation of child abuse, even indirectly, was the breaking point. He interpreted the CPS visit as a precursor to an investigation into sexual abuse.
Overwhelmed by fear and believing his reputation and personal life were being systematically destroyed, Barisone made multiple 911 calls reporting threats and fearing for his life. On August 7, 2019, after the arrival of the CPS caseworker, Barisone retrieved a 9-millimeter handgun from his office safe. He then went to the white farmhouse where Kanarek was located. What transpired next culminated in Kanarek’s desperate 911 call, stating she had been shot. Rob Goodwin, Kanarek’s boyfriend, intervened, and a struggle ensued, during which Lauren’s dog also attacked Barisone.
The Trial and Verdict
Emergency services arrived at an active crime scene. Corporal Derek Heymer found Barisone subdued and a handgun near him. Lauren Kanarek, having sustained two gunshot wounds, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Barisone was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder.
The subsequent trial, in the spring of 2022, saw Barisone’s defense team employ a rare insanity defense, arguing that Kanarek’s relentless harassment and psychological manipulation had driven him to a temporary state of insanity. Forensic psychiatrists testified, with some supporting the defense’s claim that Kanarek’s actions had pushed Barisone over the edge, while others questioned Barisone’s claim of memory loss specifically around the time of the shooting. The prosecution maintained that Barisone was sane and knew the consequences of his actions.
After weeks of testimony, including Kanarek’s poignant account of her near-fatal experience, the jury deliberated. Their verdict: not guilty by reason of insanity. This meant the jury concluded that Barisone was not legally responsible for his actions due to his mental state at the time of the incident.
Aftermath and Rebuilding
The verdict was met with strong emotions. Barisone’s defense team expressed elation, while Lauren Kanarek and her family were reportedly shocked and dismayed, feeling that she, as the victim, had been overlooked. Barisone, having avoided a lengthy prison sentence, was transferred to a psychiatric hospital. He expressed a desire to rebuild his life, acknowledging he was “a ship without a rudder.”
Supporters of Barisone, including his former students and his then-girlfriend Lara Osborne (with whom he began a relationship during his legal proceedings), hoped for his eventual return home, emphasizing the healing power of horses. The case served as a stark reminder of the intense pressures and psychological toll that can exist even within the seemingly elegant world of professional equestrian sports.
