Overcoming Obstacles

We are reviving the popular "Tales of Triumph" series that debuted back in November, which shared the tales of five horses who, in their own way, triumphed against all odds. Over the next few months we will be sharing the tales of some special guests who, like those five horses, triumphed against all odds as well. They're excited to meet fans and share their stories at BreyerFest!

The stories of our incredible special guests, Limited Edition portrait horses, and Celebration Horse and rider, Amanda and Athena, are at the heart of this year’s event. Their victories have inspired us to celebrate our own triumphs over adversity, not let them limit us. Through written word, art, music, and other creative outlets, BreyerFest: Against All Odds empowers us all to dream big, redefine ourselves, or start a new chapter. Bound by our love of horses and creative expression, we celebrate the perseverance of our community and revel in the thrill of a new beginning.

Our next special guest we are introducing to fans is changing people’s perceptions about what equestrians with disabilities are capable of, one jump at a time. In a clouded world, Wren Zimmerman found clarity and freedom on the backs of horses. 

Wren Blae Zimmerman grew up loving horses, but never had the chance to ride. Growing up, life was normal for Wren, until she turned 17. She was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy, a rare genetic eye condition that unfortunately gets worse with time. Wren’s world changed in an instant. Wren is currently considered both visually impaired and legally blind — roughly 90% of people who are blind have some sort of usable vision, but in Wren’s case, her central vision is totally blank and her peripheral vision is incredibly blurry; in low light and at night, Wren experiences near-total blindness.

In 2015 she started riding at a therapeutic riding center fulfilling her childhood dream. She shared her dream about jumping with her therapeutic riding center and they told her that because of her eyesight that would never be possible. Wren said “challenge accepted,” and went out to find a trainer who would help her.

After coming across many trainers who didn’t want to work with a blind equestrian, Wren finally found one. Her coach worked with Wren to develop skills and new ways of learning to help her succeed in the show jumping arena. This has allowed Wren to compete in the jumpers against able-bodied riders. Wren has gotten special permission from the USEF to wear an earpiece in competition, so her trainer can be there in case she takes a wrong turn or if a distance or stride is going to change while she’s on course that Wren may just not see.

Wren has ridden and competed a few horses along the way. It takes a special horse as they become Wren’s eyes in the ring. They are her freedom and the two need to trust each other completely.

Wren has not let her limited sight stop her from doing the thing she loves. She is campaigning for the sport of Para Show Jumping to become an officially recognized discipline in the US and Canada and ultimately a Paralympic sport. She also is advocating for growth, change, and equality within equestrian sport by making it more inclusive and accessible while creating resources and opportunities for riders with disabilities to participate in the jumping disciplines.

At the helm of the Para Show Jumping North America movement, Wren has been working with the governing bodies to continue progressing the PSJ movement and establishing the sport. Wren organized the first Para Show Jumping demonstrations in North America, working closely with EEI. They were held at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, attended by a record 85,000+ spectators. Her efforts to advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility have led to her roles as an External Thought Leader on USEF's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan and as a member of USEF’s Adaptive Sport Committee.

Wren is currently in the process of setting up a non-profit with the vision of equal access for all equestrians. The non-profit will support the Para Show Jumping North America mission, working to provide resources, opportunities, and support to people with disabilities. Additionally, it will aim to increase access to equestrian sports as a whole, encompassing any and all individuals who may face any type of challenge or barrier to access.

Wren has not let her disability define who she is or what she can do, and against all odds is becoming a light for other para-show jumpers, showing them that the possibilities are also endless for them!

Catch Wren in the Covered Arena daily or back by the stables to meet her and learn more about her incredible story!