52 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Continued on page 54
Abigail Wexner – A Special Kind of Person
By Dani Moritz
As the nation’s top horses
and riders secure medals and
impressive wins, it is rare that
we even think about the owner
behind the team. Although
frequently forgotten, owners
are incredibly important to our
sport – and, all too often, they
are under appreciated.
It takes a special kind of
person to sit on the sidelines
as the rider earns the glory.
It takes an equally special
person to foot the bills, but
not ride the horse and, most
importantly, stand by the
horses and riders through
thick and thin, good times and
bad. Abigail Wexner is that
kind of special – which is why
she is regarded as one of the
greatest horse owners of our
time.
Abigail is proud to own
several of the nation’s leading
horses, including three-time
Olympic champion Authentic,
and Simon, who recently won
the 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup
Championship with Beezie Madden.
“It was really quite special for me as an owner and what a
moment it was to see Beezie reach that milestone and I was so
pleased that she was riding Simon when it happened,” Abigail
said. “He’s an incredible horse and they’ve developed a strong
partnership, which is what you hope for with every horse that you
own.”
It’s hard to believe she wasn’t even at the event to celebrate
e
Making A Difference
the victory. Although she
would have loved to have
been in Sweden with Beezie
and Simon, Abigail, her entire
family and some friends
watched the pair’s victory on
FEI TV – but Abigail says they
celebrated as if they were in
the stands!
For her riders, like Beezie
and Jeffery Welles, the
amount of support she
provides is incredible –
whether Abigail is watching
them on TV or nervously
glued to the gate at the shows.
“She’s been a fantastic
supporter of mine for quite
a few years now and she’s
unbelievable with the amount
of support she gives me and
is behind us all the time,” said
Beezie. “She wants the best
for the horses and the best for
us and for the United States.”
For Abigail, her avid support
comes naturally. Although
she wasn’t able to ride until
she was a teenager, Abigail
says she was obsessed with
horses from as far back as
she can remember. The only difference between then and now
is that now she is able to express that passion by trading in her
Breyer horses for the real deal.
“I’m really passionate about the sport and want to see the United
States program be as competitive as it can be and to do that
you’ve got to support the athletes – both human and equine,” she
said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have relationships with wonderful
Candice Bergen and husband Marshall Rose at the New Albany
Classic with Les and Abigail Wexner.
Abigail with Bucky, The New Albany Classic Mascot.
Abigail with three of her children at the 2008 Summer Olympic
Games just before the team jumping finals in Hong Kong.
