2009
Mount Union College
I graduated with a liberal arts degree — a background that's shaped the way I look at challenges and think through solutions.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE PIXELS
A little creativity.
A lot of problem-solving.
Hi, I'm Jennifer!
I'm the self-taught developer behind Digital Horseplay, where I turn complicated processes, frustrating workflows, and big ideas into practical digital solutions.
My path into development wasn't exactly traditional. I have a liberal arts degree from Mount Union College, and my interest in technology grew out of something I've been doing since I was 12, finding better ways to get things done.
And, as it turns out, horses and a little volunteer work had a lot to do with it.
WHERE IT STARTED
Curiositymeets code. A lifelong habit of finding a better way.
It All Started With a Hill.
Growing up, I was taught the importance of giving back to my community. At 12, that meant volunteering at horse shows as a score runner.
There was just one problem.
The hill between the competition area and the scoring office was VERY steep.
I quickly realized I could still help out by working in the scoring office instead. Same contribution, significantly less hiking.
What started as a clever way to avoid that hill turned into a genuine interest in scoring, organizing information, and figuring out how to make complicated processes easier.
I didn't know it at the time, but that curiosity would eventually lead me from spreadsheets to websites, custom applications, and a career built around solving problems.
A FEW MILESTONES
From spreadsheets to software.
2010
My first website
I built my first website for the Mounted Games demonstration at the World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was my introduction to building something people could actually use, and I was hooked.
2014
My first application
I watched Pony Club tetrathlon organizers struggle with scoring a discipline that was simply too complex for a traditional Excel spreadsheet. So I decided to build something better. That first custom application helped shape the kind of work I enjoy most.
Today
Still learning. Still building.
My development skills are self-taught, driven by curiosity, real-world challenges, and a determination to figure things out. Technology keeps changing, and I genuinely enjoy learning new approaches and finding better ways to build things.
THE NAME BEHIND THE BUSINESS
Why Digital Horseplay?
The name is a nod to the two worlds that have shaped so much of what I do: horses and technology.
Even the logo has a story. The pixelated horse was inspired by a photograph of one of my horses competing in dressage, with my sister in the saddle.
It's personal, a little playful, and a reminder of where all this started.
But while my equestrian background is part of my story, Digital Horseplay isn't limited to the horse world. I work with organizations that have complicated processes, unique challenges, or ideas that don't fit neatly into off-the-shelf software.
Because a good solution starts with understanding the problem, not the industry.
HOW I WORK
Thoughtful by design.
Understand First. Build Second.
I want to know how your organization actually operates, what's working, and what's making things harder than they need to be. The best solutions come from understanding the whole picture.
Make It Useful.
I care about the people who will use what I build. A system should make their work easier, not give them something else to fight with.
Keep It Practical.
Not every problem needs a complicated solution. I focus on building tools that are reliable, maintainable, and make sense for the job.
Never Stop Improving.
There's always something new to learn and usually another way to make something better. That curiosity is a big part of why I love what I do.
WHAT I BUILD
More than just websites.
These days, my work includes custom applications, event management and scoring systems, databases, dashboards, reporting tools, integrations, and websites.
Some projects are relatively straightforward. Others involve a lot of moving pieces, unusual requirements, and challenges that take some serious problem-solving.
Those are often my favorites.
There's something incredibly satisfying about taking a process that makes everyone groan and turning it into something that just works.
Explore my workLET'S WORK TOGETHER
Have a challenge? Let's talk.
Whether you need a website, a custom application, or a better way to manage something that's gotten out of hand, I'd love to hear what you're working on.