MEET THE TEAM
Jennifer Ward - Owner/Principal
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Photo by Elena Lusenti |
Having studied journalism and earned a post-graduate degree in public relations, Jennifer, who is based in Ottawa, Canada, began her career by handling media relations for the Canadian Equestrian Team for five years. Moving on to a contract with the United Nations, the horse world kept calling, inspiring Jennifer to start her own business specializing in public relations for the equestrian industry.
She founded Starting Gate Communications Inc. in 2001, and quickly gained a loyal following of clients. Athletes, events and organizations all benefitted from increased publicity and media exposure. In addition, Jennifer continued to act as media liaison for the Canadian Equestrian Team at major games including the Olympics, World Equestrian Games and Pan American Games. She was also the press officer for equestrian sport at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo.
Having ridden since the age of six, Jennifer has successfully combined her passion for horse sport with a rewarding career promoting the sport she has loved for a lifetime. Her work with Jump Media allows her to further expand her talents and the connections she has made through years of hands-on public relations experience.
Jennifer Wood - Owner/Principal
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Photo by Elena Lusenti |
Originally from Chicago, Jennifer Wood is a lifelong horseperson who began competing in the hunter and jumper discipline at the age of seven. She went on to represent the intercollegiate team at the University of South Carolina. Jennifer graduated from USC magna cum laude with a marketing degree in 2001. Jennifer worked for Olympic show jumpers Anne Kursinski and Margie Engle before entering the public relations field in 2004.
Through her work as a freelance writer and photographer and for PhelpsSports.com, she has covered many international equestrian events including FEI World Cup Finals, FEI World Equestrian Games, and the Olympic Games. Jennifer is a member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists and, in 2006, won the United States Equestrian Federation Pegasus Award for Media, Best Single News Article.
Known for her work promoting some of the best equestrian events and companies in North America through her company, Jennifer Wood Media, Jennifer looks forward to continuing to advance equestrian sport promotion through Jump Media.
Bridget Love Meehan - Managing Director
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Photo by Jump Media |
Bridget brings more than 25 years of management, marketing, and communications experience to Jump Media, most recently as executive director of Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) where she helped guide the organization through a significant period of success.
Prior to WIHS, she held senior marketing and communications positions at Discovery, Inc., leading teams producing corporate events, sponsorships, and public affairs initiatives plus cross-company marketing and brand-building strategies designed to grow distribution of Discovery’s U.S. networks.
Earlier in her career, Bridget managed a leading D.C. public relations firm specializing in event production and fundraising for corporate and non-profit clients. She worked in the publishing world as a literary agent managing the sale and licensing of client content to publishers, studios, and media across the world. She also served as director of communications for the United States Equestrian Federation.
A lifelong hunter rider and competitor, she is also now a proud horse show mom. Bridget received her M.B.A. from Fordham University and her B.A. from Kenyon College. Originally from the Buffalo, N.Y. area, she currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and daughter.
Kara Pinato Scro - Account Director
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Photo by Malakhai Pearson |
Kara Pinato Scro brings more than 10 years of public relations and communications experience to Jump Media. Most recently, Kara held Vice President roles at New York-based PR agencies where she led integrated communications strategy and execution for a wide range of companies spanning sectors including consumer packaged goods, consumer technology, and enterprise technology. Under Kara’s direction, through targeted media relations and thought leadership efforts, her clients achieved target business objectives including, but not limited to, increased brand visibility, product sales, and, notably, company acquisition.
Early in her career, Kara worked in film and is credited in two independent, feature-length documentaries as a Production Coordinator and Recreations Assistant Director, respectively. She is also co-creator of the board game, HorseWise, which was marketed and sold in tack shops and catalogs throughout North America in the early 2000s.
A lifelong horse lover and hunter/jumper rider who has competed across the East Coast and in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, Kara is thrilled to finally marry her professional expertise with her personal passion for horse sport at Jump Media.
Kara received her B.A. from James Madison University and now lives in New York City with her husband. When Kara isn’t working, she’s riding with the Manhattan Riding Club or in Maryland with her longtime trainer and visiting her retired pony, Kid Brother.
Sabrina Brashares - Account Coordinator
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Photo by Alden Corrigan |
Sabrina Brashares is a dedicated horse lover with years of experience in the hunter/jumper world, both in the barn and behind a computer. Originally from Connecticut, Sabrina started riding and competing locally at a young age. She knew early on that working in the equestrian industry was her calling.
In 2018, Sabrina graduated from Marist College with a degree in business. She was the barn manager for Harkaway Farm, organizing its team of grooms, riders, and horses for travel from bases in Brewster, NY, and Wellington, FL, to major horse shows across the East Coast. Sabrina entered the public relations field working for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. in 2020. In addition to managing the company’s social media accounts, she also produced daily press releases, organized press conferences, and helped oversee the media center at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. In an internship role with KTB Creative Group, she created social media content for clients and wrote articles for the United States Eventing Association.
Joining the Jump Media team in 2021 has allowed Sabrina to combine her passion for the equestrian world with a dynamic career in public relations. Currently based in New York, she enjoys riding as well as photographing her favorite sport.
Amanda Picciotto Feitosa - Account Coordinator
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Photo by Jump Media |
Amanda Picciotto Feitosa grew up in New York City and developed a love for horses at a young age. After studying biology at Brown University, she decided to pursue her passion as a career, working with top professionals including 2004 Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and 1996 U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Peter Leone.
Amanda made her initial foray into the public relations field working for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. during the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival and 2022 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL. In joining the Jump Media team as an Account Coordinator, she is excited to continue capturing the ringside emotion she has experienced firsthand through event coverage as well as helping clients reach their marketing and PR objectives.
Amanda can often be found cheering on her husband, Michel, who rides professionally for Brazil. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her retired horse on Long Island, spending time with her family in Manhattan, and playing with her cat, Blackberry.
Simon Stafford - Photography Manager
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Photo by Elena Lusenti |
Having served 26 years in the British army, Simon Stafford (SSgt. Ret.) gained valuable experience that today serves him well in the fast-paced world of equestrian sport. With tours of duty completed in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Simon retired from the British military in 2013 with his military conduct assessed as exemplary.
A classically trained French horn player, Simon also had two ‘day jobs’ with the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers while serving in Her Majesty’s Forces. As Quarter Master Sergeant, he was responsible for transporting men, equipment, and weapons from the UK to areas of conflict, such as Afghanistan. As Drum Major, he was responsible for arranging his Band’s appearances around the world, whether it be playing for Her Majesty on social occasions or providing pomp and circumstance at international sporting events such as the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ show jumping tournament in Calgary, Canada. Today, Simon applies his superior management, execution, and interpersonal skills as a key member of the Jump Media team.
Simon has used his retirement to pursue another creative passion for photography. He has quickly become known for his ‘behind the scenes’ photo essays at major equestrian events and counts the Canadian Equestrian Team and Horse Sport magazine among his regular clients. A member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists (IAEJ), Simon’s photography has graced Horse Sport’s front cover a total of nine times. His work has also been featured on the cover of the automotive publication, Open Driver (Spring 2016).
Rachel Roppovalente – Multi-Media Specialist
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Rachel Roppovalente has been working in the equestrian industry for almost three decades. Getting her start at the Canadian Equestrian Federation, Rachel had the opportunity to gain overall knowledge of the sport in addition to working closely with the eventing and dressage departments. She parlayed that experience into a position with leading Canadian PR firm, Starting Gate Communications, where she handled everything from general administration and accounting to client website and ad design, as well as graphic design for various printed publications such as newsletters, calendars, and media guides.
Since joining Jump Media, Rachel continues to specialize in client activation spanning a wide variety of mediums. Fun fact - in addition to her stellar graphic design and accounting skills, Rachel is fully fluent in Mandarin!