Blanche Schaefer

About

I’m a 2016 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in public relations and a Business Foundations Program certificate. My experience spans journalism and communications, and I possess a variety of skills in writing and reporting, copy editing, social media, marketing, PR and advertising. An avid equestrian, I began working in August 2016 as the associate editor of Barrel Horse News, the industry's leading international barrel racing publication. I received a promotion to managing editor in January 2020. I write a variety of stories, from features to columns to news briefs to show recaps and previews, and I play a key role in the copy editing and proofreading of content along with social media content scheduling and management.Previously, I interned with the American Paint Horse Association in the publications department writing and editing for APHA’s website and three print magazines: Paint Horse Journal, Chrome, and Flash.I have a strong background in sports reporting and copy editing from three years as a copy editor and one year as a senior sports reporter with UT-Austin’s student newspaper, The Daily Texan. I also covered UT women’s basketball and baseball for Horns Illustrated magazine, an independent Austin-based publication. In addition, I interned for more than a year with Austin Resource Recovery in the Strategic Initiatives department working alongside marketing and public relations professionals. My passion for horses and sports stems from being a fan, a reporter, and a competitor. I have a particular interest in college sports, football, baseball, and equestrian sports, as I've been riding horses and competing my entire life. I've ridden and shown several different disciplines and have extensive knowledge of many equestrian industries, from rodeo and barrel racing, hunter/jumper, western performance and judged events, and collegiate show circuits. My diverse background and education in communications, public relations, and journalism provides me with a unique outlook and a wide-ranging skill set.