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The South Dakota Cowgirl

Life on the Ranch Through My Lens

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You are here: Home / Archives for ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Lessons From 2020

January 1, 2021 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 2 Comments

lessons from 2020, balance, life is about balance

There are three types of survival methods. Flight, Fight or Freeze. These are designed to help us save ourselves from a perceived threat. I am stuck ...

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2020 Cowgirl Gift Guide

December 14, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ Leave a Comment

2020 gift guide

For all you last minute shoppers out there, here's a quick gift guide to help the cowgirl, horse lover, or budding photographer in your life! And in ...

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A Career Well-Run

November 22, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 2 Comments

a career well-run, no average joe 022, avie, the south dakota cowgirl

“A horse gallops with his legs, perseveres with his heart, and he wins with his character.” -- From Ride Like a Girl -- His legs carried me to ...

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Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do

September 10, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ Leave a Comment

dreams don't work unless you do, the south dakota cowgirl, dusty saddles photography, barrel horses, barrel racer, big dreams

Dreams don't work unless you do: I climbed on 6 head of horses yesterday.  It's been a while since that's happened.  I'm doing less -- less ...

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Summer Fun

August 31, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 1 Comment

Cosmo learning the big girl things! Barrel racing, barrel of gold, jackie jensen photography, cottonwood arena, montana

I know, it looks and feels like I've abandoned this little space on the interwebs, but I've been having so much Summer Fun, I've just kind of been too ...

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2020 in Photos

July 27, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 2 Comments

south dakota cowgirl photography, the south dakota cowgirl

It will be said that 2020 has been one for the records. If you're like me, you'll be happy when all the craziness ceases and we get back to some ...

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Debra Bruner Art Studio Giveaway!

April 13, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 1 Comment

big-red, debra bruner art studio, debra bruner watercolors, debra bruner

I met Debra Bruner at the inaugural Art of the Cowgirl Event in Arizona. We instantly became friends. She's a great lady, a talented artist, a farmer ...

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Wild West Rag Co

March 5, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ Leave a Comment

wild west rag co, south dakota cowgirl photography, portrait photography, cowgirls

Good Lord am I blessed! When Melanie from Wild West Rag CO reached out to me, offering to send me a couple rags, I couldn't believe it! But I'll be ...

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Dream Horse

February 20, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 1 Comment

dream horse video

You guys... I just saw the trailer for this film and I had to share! Raise your hand if you're as excited about this film as me! ...

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Art of the Cowgirl 2020

February 11, 2020 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 1 Comment

art of the cowgirl, c lazy j designs photography, dx iyamma poco dancer

Art of the Cowgirl 2020, was one of the BEST experiences of my life. 3000 miles. 10 days. 3 horses. 2 cowgirls. A lot of ...

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