Michael Barisone Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Career, Trial, Charges, Wife, Family
Michael Barisone is a former elite American equestrian and Olympic dressage rider whose career and life became the subject of national headlines following a violent incident in 2019. Before his legal troubles, he was a highly respected figure in the horse world, having served as a reserve member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team and as a coach for the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams. He was also known to the general public for a humorous segment on The Colbert Report, where he taught host Stephen Colbert the technical “piaffe” movement of dressage.
His life took a dramatic turn in August 2019 after a long-standing and bitter dispute with his student and tenant, Lauren Kanarek, at his Hawthorne Hill training facility in New Jersey. The conflict, which involved social media feuds and allegations of harassment, culminated in Barisone shooting Kanarek twice in the chest. He was subsequently charged with two counts of attempted murder. In a high-profile 2022 trial, a jury found Barisone not guilty by reason of insanity, concluding that he was in a state of “delusional disorder” at the time of the shooting.
Following the verdict, Barisone was moved to a psychiatric facility for treatment and was officially discharged in late 2023 under specific supervision requirements. As of 2026, he has largely moved back to his property in Florida where he continues to work with horses, though his professional standing remains heavily restricted. In December 2025, the U.S. Center for SafeSport issued a permanent ban against him, citing allegations of sexual harassment and emotional misconduct involving former students, a ruling Barisone is currently appealing.
Barisone remains active in the legal system, having filed a lawsuit against the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). He claims the organization failed to protect him despite his repeated warnings about the escalating threats and harassment he faced prior to the 2019 shooting. His story has seen a resurgence in public interest due to the 2026 release of the Netflix documentary, Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill, which features new interviews and an in-depth look at the events leading up to the tragedy.
Quick Profile: Michael Barisone at a Glance
Early Life, Hometown, and Education
Michael Barisone was born in the mid-1960s and raised in a household where discipline and dedication were paramount. While specific details about his childhood in the 1960s and 70s are kept private, he grew up with a deep-seated passion for horses that eventually dictated the course of his life.
His early education was standard, but his true “schooling” occurred in the stables and riding arenas of the American East Coast. Barisone demonstrated an early aptitude for dressage, a highly disciplined form of riding often described as “horse ballet.”
The Professional Career of Michael Barisone
To understand the Michael Barisone Biography, one must look at his decades-long dominance in the dressage arena. He was not just a rider; he was a technician of the sport.
Olympic Achievements and Coaching
Barisone reached the zenith of his career in 2008 when he was named a reserve member of the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team for the Beijing Games. While he did not compete in the arena, his role as a reserve solidified his status as one of the top four riders in the country.
His expertise was so sought after that he transitioned seamlessly into coaching. He served as a coach for the 2012 Olympic Eventing Team and the 2016 Bronze Medal-winning Olympic Dressage Team. He has worked with legendary riders such as Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin, helping them refine the foundational movements that win medals.
Media Presence and “The Colbert Report”
In 2012, Barisone gained mainstream fame for a humorous segment on The Colbert Report. He displayed great wit and patience while attempting to teach Stephen Colbert how to ride. This appearance made him the “face” of American dressage for many who had never seen a horse show, painting him as a charismatic and approachable figure in a sport often viewed as elitist.
Competitive Success
Over his career, Barisone secured over 100 CDI Grand Prix wins. One of his most notable international victories was winning the World Cup Gold Medal in Hickstead in 1997. He operated primarily out of two locations: Hawthorne Hill in Long Valley, New Jersey, and a secondary training facility in Loxahatchee, Florida.
Personal Life: Family, Wife, and Children
Michael Barisone’s personal life has been a cornerstone of his defense during his legal battles. At the time of the 2019 shooting, Barisone was living with his then-fiancée, Mary Haskins Gray, and her two children.
Gray, also an equestrian, was a central figure in his life during the escalating tensions at Hawthorne Hill. Barisone’s defense team often pointed to the “psychological warfare” aimed not just at Michael, but at his family unit, as a catalyst for his mental breakdown. As of 2026, Barisone is engaged to Lara Osborne, who has been a vocal supporter of his during his recovery and recent legal appeals. He does not have biological children of his own but has played a significant paternal role in the lives of his partners’ children.
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The Hawthorne Hill Shooting: A Turning Point
The most infamous chapter of the Michael Barisone Biography began in 2018 when he met Lauren Kanarek at a clinic in Florida. Kanarek, an aspiring dressage rider, and her fiancé, Robert Goodwin, eventually moved into an apartment on Barisone’s Hawthorne Hill farm in New Jersey to receive high-level training.
The Feud and Social Media Warfare
What began as a professional arrangement quickly soured. The dispute involved complex issues regarding training styles, living conditions, and tenancy. Kanarek began posting cryptic and disparaging messages on social media, which Barisone claimed were part of a coordinated campaign to ruin his reputation and “destroy” him. Barisone reportedly called the police multiple times to have the couple removed, but since they were legal tenants, the authorities could not intervene without a formal eviction process.
The Day of the Shooting
On August 7, 2019, the tension reached a breaking point. Barisone retrieved a 9mm handgun from a safe and drove to the farmhouse where Kanarek lived. He fired two shots into her chest at close range. Kanarek survived after being placed in a medically induced coma and undergoing extensive surgery to her lungs. Barisone was found at the scene, having been physically subdued by Robert Goodwin.
The Trial: Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
The trial of Michael Barisone, held in 2022 at the Morris County Courthouse, was a media sensation. He faced two counts of first-degree attempted murder and weapons charges, carrying a potential sentence of up to 80 years.
The Insanity Defense
Barisone’s defense, led by attorney Edward Bilinkas, argued that Barisone was suffering from a delusional disorder caused by the relentless harassment and “gaslighting” from Kanarek and Goodwin. They presented evidence that Barisone had become so paranoid and broken that he believed his life and family were in imminent danger.
The Verdict
In April 2022, the jury delivered a stunning verdict: Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) on the attempted murder of Lauren Kanarek. He was also found “Not Guilty” on the attempted murder of Robert Goodwin. This verdict meant that while Barisone committed the act, he was not legally responsible due to his mental state.
Current Status 2026: The SafeSport Ban and Netflix Documentary
As of 2026, Michael Barisone is no longer in a psychiatric facility. He was discharged in late 2023 and has since returned to his property in Florida. However, his return to the sport has been met with significant hurdles.
The Permanent SafeSport Ban
In December 2025, the U.S. Center for SafeSport issued a permanent ban against Barisone. This was not related to the shooting itself, but rather to allegations of sexual harassment and emotional misconduct involving former students that came to light during and after the trial. Barisone is currently appealing this ban, claiming the allegations are retaliatory.
Lawsuit Against USEF
Barisone has filed a civil lawsuit against the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). He alleges that the organization ignored his pleas for help regarding the harassment he faced from Kanarek prior to the shooting. He seeks to hold the governing body responsible for the environment that led to his mental collapse.
Netflix’s “Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill”
In April 2026, Netflix released a documentary titled Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill. The film provides a detailed look at the case, featuring interviews with Barisone, his supporters, and Lauren Kanarek. It has reignited public debate over the “Stand Your Ground” philosophy and the impact of social media harassment on mental health.
Michael Barisone Net Worth 2026
Before his arrest, Michael Barisone’s net worth was estimated to be in the $2 million to $5 million range, largely tied to his 60-acre New Jersey farm and his lucrative training business. However, years of legal battles, the loss of his training income, and the psychiatric commitment have significantly impacted his finances. As of 2026, his net worth is estimated to be approximately $500,000 to $1 million, much of which is tied up in ongoing litigation and his Florida property.
Conclusion
The Michael Barisone Biography is a tragic narrative of a fall from grace. Once an Olympic hero, Barisone is now a figure defined by a single violent afternoon and a landmark legal victory. While he has regained his freedom, his professional life remains in limbo due to the SafeSport ban and the shadow of the 2019 shooting. As the 2026 documentary brings his story to a global audience, the world continues to grapple with the question: was Michael Barisone a victim of a mental breakdown, or a man who took the law into his own hands?
FAQs
Is Michael Barisone in prison?
No. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022 and was discharged from psychiatric care in late 2023.
Can Michael Barisone still teach riding?
Currently, he is under a permanent ban from the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which prevents him from participating in any USEF-sanctioned events or training.
Who did Michael Barisone shoot?
He shot Lauren Kanarek, a student who was living on his property at the time.
Did Lauren Kanarek survive?
Yes, she survived the shooting after undergoing major surgery and recovering from a medically induced coma.
What is Michael Barisone doing in 2026?
He is living in Florida, working with horses privately, and pursuing legal action against the USEF and appealing his SafeSport ban.
What was the verdict in his trial?
He was found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI).
Who is Michael Barisone’s wife?
He is not currently married but is engaged to Lara Osborne. He was previously engaged to Mary Haskins Gray.
How old is Michael Barisone? As of 2026, he is approximately 62 years old.
