By Erica Jackson
Sharyn Guzzi’s Message Board on LongIslandEquine.com has been inundated with a thread of messages indicating a fear among horse riders at Blydenburg County Park in Smithtown. The messages all relate to alleged attacks by a lipstick-wearing woman who is dressed in a cat suit. The woman, the posts say, accosts fellow riders on the trails by whipping their horses and trying to knock them off their horses. One post reads: “I have had my share of being attacked in the park when I had my percheron (breed of horse) on the trail. She tried hitting my horse with her dressage whip and also tried running me into a fence.” Another says, “I have been run down by her a few times in the park, so just a warning: she will not slow down or stop! Just canter right by. She actually hit my horse with her dressage whip because we came so close.”And yet another, “Whoever does not think this is really happening is very wrong. Everyone is afraid to press charges. That is why this will continue. It is very sad that we must wait for someone to get hurt.”Guzzi, who is a real estate agent at Long Island Horse Properties, says people have not only been posting to her site about the woman, but have been calling her office constantly about her.
“I sold her the house she lives in, so I guess that’s why people are calling me about it,” said Guzzi, “or maybe it’s because we are the only ones selling horse properties.”Either way, Guzzi says horse enthusiasts have a fear about ridding at Blydenburg County Park which features 627 acres, an extensive bridle path system, practice rings and a parking lot off New Mill Road that offers space for horse trailers. Guzzi said that she has heard numerous stories regarding the woman, some comments taking place at horse shows. “People really feel intimidated,” she said.
As to the alleged attacks at Blydenburg County Park, Tracy Bellone, deputy commissioner for the Suffolk County Parks Department, confirmed that a woman on horseback by the name of Wendy Kuno-Istica was arrested by park police at Blydenburg Park on August 21. Bellone, said park police had to subdue her when she failed to cooperate and barricaded officers with her horse.
Kuno-Istica, said Bellone faces numerous charges, including failure to follow park rules and regulations, failure to adhere to park notices such as those pertaining to alcohol and hours. She also said Kuno-Istica has had numerous complaints filed against her from park-users who are afraid to use the park because of her.
Kuno-Istica is due to appear in court the second week in October. Bellone said she has been banned from the park, pending the outcome of the charges.
Kuno-Istica could not be reached for comment as of press time.