Olympic dressage rider Michael Barisone has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Equestrian Federation, alleging it failed to report serious complaints about Lauren Kanarek—complaints that, he argues, could have prevented a shooting and years of personal and professional fallout.
Barisone’s Legal Move: Six Years After the Shooting
In a dramatic development six years after he was arrested for shooting Lauren Kanarek, dressage rider Michael Barisone has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF). The suit alleges that USEF failed to act on or report numerous formal complaints about Kanarek’s threatening and abusive behavior, including those made by Barisone himself, well before the 2019 incident that led to his arrest and subsequent acquittal by reason of insanity.
Filed on July 31, 2025, the lawsuit accuses USEF of violating the Safe Sport Authorization Act and breaching its duties as a national governing body. According to Barisone, had the federation reported earlier complaints to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, Kanarek could have been suspended or banned—possibly preventing the conflict that led to the shooting.
Warnings Ignored: Multiple Complaints Before the Incident
The suit outlines complaints made as early as 2017 by at least four individuals, including a Paralympic trainer, a former groom, and a civilian who had no equestrian background but alleged years of online harassment by Kanarek. These individuals contacted USEF with detailed reports, some including social media messages, emails, and text screenshots illustrating threats, cyberbullying, and verbal abuse. In all cases, the suit claims, there was little to no follow-up—and no action taken to forward the cases to SafeSport, as USEF was obligated to do.
Barisone’s own attempts to seek help in the days leading up to the shooting were reportedly dismissed. According to the lawsuit, he made several desperate calls to USEF executives, including the COO and the then-CEO, warning that he felt he was in a “life or death” situation. Yet no one advised him to contact SafeSport, and no action was taken by the federation.
Professional Ruin and Personal Fallout
Barisone was acquitted of attempted murder on the grounds of insanity and spent time in state psychiatric facilities before being released in 2023. Despite this, he remains suspended by SafeSport for unrelated allegations, barring him from participating in USEF-sanctioned events.
His lawsuit describes severe financial and emotional consequences. Barisone claims he was forced to sell his multi-million-dollar New Jersey equestrian center at a significant loss, incurred millions in legal fees, and continues to suffer reputational damage. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and additional relief as deemed appropriate by the court.
Broader Implications for Equestrian Governance
This case raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the responsibilities of equestrian governing bodies under the Safe Sport Act. Barisone’s attorneys argue that USEF not only failed its duty to protect members but also ignored its own rules requiring the referral of serious complaints.
The lawsuit puts USEF under legal and public scrutiny just as athlete safety and misconduct protocols are becoming central topics across the sports world. USEF has not yet responded publicly, but is required to answer the lawsuit by September 26.
Source: chronofhorse.com
