Hailing from Collins, Ohio near the shores of Lake Erie, I live with my parents, Keith and Jackie Jackson, and my older sister, Chelsea. This small, rural community can have its challenges, but one of the ADVANTAGES I experienced was the ability to graduate from high school with college level credits; this spring-boarded me to Tiffin University where I completed my Bachelor of Business Administration degree in three years instead of four. During my time as a Tiffin University Dragon, I represented Gamma Chi Alpha Sorority as secretary, and competed as a Varsity member of Tiffin's NCAA Division II women's track and field team as a Pentathlon and Heptathlon Athlete. Currently, my employment with Cargill Inc. has led me to interesting and challenging assignments in the Salt and Road Safety Division as a Sales Account Manager. My responsibilities have allowed me to explore the Salt Mines underneath Lake Erie (Ohio) and Lake Cayuga (New York) and travel extensively in the eastern U.S.
My life-long love of and experiences with horses began at the age of 5, when my parents bought my first pony, Freckles. I began to take lessons and compete in local shows, attending my first All American Quarter Horse Congress shortly thereafter. I can still remember the excitement and awe of seeing the horses, the classes, and the Congress Queen display. What little girl could walk by that and not be entranced? Right then and there I told my mother that I wanted to be the Queen. My mother told me that I had better start practicing now, because it would take a lot of work to reach my goal! I never gave up on that dream, and I am so proud to represent the Ohio Michigan Indiana Quarter Horse Association at the 2019 All American Quarter Horse Congress.
I have been very fortunate to have excellent role models, trainers, and mentors from the equestrian field and all walks of life that have guided my development in becoming the person I am today. Living on a small farm, my sister and I have always been able to have our horses at home. The responsibility of caring for a horse taught me love, patience, respect and developed a work ethic that has contributed to my successes as a track athelte, equestrian, and career woman. As a family, many of our best memories involved showing livestock and horses through the 4-H program. When our 4-H experiences continued, my sister and I decided to volunteer as 4-H advisors, sharing our experiences with other children from our area including the development of a new 4-H club, The Silver Spurs. We are in Huron County, Ohio and our fair is the second week of August in Norwalk. As an advisor, it is a humbling experience to share in the fun and excitement of learning new things from the children, sitting as tall as they can in the saddle where I once sat as a young girl. There is not a better life experience to build confidence and self-worth than working daily with your horse and showing at the county fair or Quarter Horse Congress, no matter what your level of horsemanship or experience. I have been privileged to bring my past experiences, and to embody the positive characteristics of my mentors and role models during my journey as the OMIQHA Queen and I look forward to continuing my journey at the All American Quarter Horse Congress!
