About Jill...
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to write
and draw. My father is a writer and photographer, so I guess I came
by it naturally. I grew up outside Amarillo, Texas, and horses were
a constant in my life. Beginning at the age of five, I showed horses
in 4-H and AQHA competitions. I had a very close relationships with
my horses.
Being an only child, I practically considered my
equine friends to be my brothers and sisters, actual members of
my family. My grandparents owned a ranch in Archer County, Texas,
and when I wasn't busy showing, I spent many weeks in the summer
surrounded by the wide open spaces, horses and cows.
Entering college,
there was little doubt in my mind what direction my career would take.
As early as my freshman year at Texas A&M University, I knew I
wanted to write for a living, primarily for the horse world. During
my freshman year, I met my husband, who was pursuing a career in the
cattle and feedyard industry. His interests broadened my horizons
and what direction my writing career could take.
During my senior year at Texas
A&M, I interned with The Way To Go, the publication of the National
Snaffle Bit Association. There I learned about advertising and graphic
design and furthered my editorial education.
Upon graduating in 1994 with a
degree in Agricultural Journalism and minors in Animal Science
and
Ag Economics, I began writing on a freelance basis for both equine
and livestock publications. Thirteen years later, I continue
to write, and I have expanded my graphic design and photographic
endeavors.
My husband, Doug, and I now live
on my grandparent's ranch, and are raising our family in the same
wide open spaces I relished as a child. We have three children,
Ashton, Sidney and Blake. Everyone enjoys contributing to our ranch
life, and we can often be found horseback after school. We are involved
in the cattle industry from the cow/calf sector all the way through
to the feedlot. We also enjoy riding and training our ranch horses
to show in Ranch Horse Competitions across the country.
Each day I enjoy combining my creative
talents with the equine and livestock world I live in. I feel blessed
to be able to live out my dream, and get paid to do so!
Potential customers, need
a look at my resume? No Problem!