Equestrian Sues Long Valley Olympian Over Alleged Shooting

LONG VALLEY, NJ — An equestrian shot by a former Olympian on his Long Valley farm has filed suit against him and his business.

Lauren Kanarek filed suit against Michael Barisone, Sweetgrass Farms, and a barn manager, following an early-August shooting that left her with serious injuries. The suit claims that the shooting came after "an extended and protracted campaign" of harassment against Kanarek and her fiancé, Rob Goodwin.

Barisone, 54, an Olympic dressage rider and coach, is accused of shooting Kanarak point-blank in the chest several times following months of an escalating landlord-tenant dispute between the pair. Kanarak and Goodwin were living in a home on Barisone's farm when he allegedly shot her on the front porch, and attempted to shoot Goodwin.

The shooting happened "without warning or provocation," the suit claims.

Goodwin sustained a broken arm in the altercation but was not shot. He is not a party in the suit.

Barisone's previous lawyer, Jeffrey Simms, said the shooting happened the same day Kanarek called in a false call to child protective services, claiming Barisone was abusing his girlfriend's children. Kanarek denied that claim in an interview with the New York Times. (Simms is no longer representing Barisone.)

The suit claims that barn managers and employees put Kanarek in danger by allowing firearms to be kept on the property.

"Allowing firearms to be present on their property is an ultra-hazardous activity, which has the potential to seriously injure and/or kill innocent people," the suit says.

Barisone is currently detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility while the charges are pending. He has another hearing scheduled for early November.

The suit was filed in Morris County Superior Court on Friday, and seeks a jury trial.

Kanarek's suit claims she has suffered permanent injures, as well as severe emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life and wages. She is seeking damages for medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering.

Both Kanarek and Barisone are accomplished equestrians. Kanarek had won several national medals, and Barisone was a member of the 2008 United States Olympic team in Beijing. He also coached 2016 Olympic bronze medalist in dressage, Alison Brock.