Madison, WI — The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association has announced that Wayne Weaver will be honored as its 2023 Horseperson of the Year at the organization’s Jan. 27 event in Madison, Wis.

Patience and determination are two traits that any horseman is required to have in order to be successful, and Weaver exemplifies both of those traits. Born into a Midwestern Hall of Fame harness racing family, Weaver grew up around horses, but it wasn’t until he was 24 years old that he made his first start as both a trainer and a driver. In just three short years, he found himself at the top of the WHHA driver standings, earning his first runner-up Driver of the Year title. Throughout his driving career thus far, Weaver has garnered 12 top-10 driving finishes.

Through the years, Wayne has owned, trained and/or driven three top-10 trotters, including Stillonthehill, along with 11 top-10 pacers, including Molester Jester, Masqued Raider and It’s A Virgin. In 1999, he sent Masqued Smoothie postward earning runner-up Pacer of the Year honors.

One thing a horseman cannot be afraid to do is ask for help, and that is a strong suit of Weaver’s. He continues to pick the brains of fellow horsemen on how to improve his stable. In turn, he is the first one there to lend a helping hand when someone is in need, whether on race day or for advice after the day’s activities have subsided. He acknowledges that sometimes a particular horse does not get along with a particular driver, and Weaver is not afraid to call on a catch driver for another opinion.

This past racing season proved to be successful for Weaver as he took a lightly raced aged warhorse (Shark Reality) to his fastest mile in five years, upsetting a free-for all-event at the Walworth County Fair, in Elkhorn, Wis. It is that kind of tenacity and dedication that makes a true horseman.

As Weaver is set to embark on his 25th anniversary tour in 2024, he is closing in on 1,000 career starts. Racing almost exclusively at the county fairs and running a small stable, this is no small feat and shows that patience is definitely a virtue.

For those wishing to attend the banquet and honor Weaver, contact WHHA President Gabe Wand at 608.574.5468 or gabewand@yahoo.com for more information.