The Real Gator
horse
Gator is a 16.2 hand, dark brown Thoroughbred with a passion for Granny Smith apples and peppermints. A one-time adult hunter and equitation competitor, Gator is now retired to “happy hacks,” a repertoire of funny tricks (including his trademark smile), and spending quality time with his pasture pals.

Gator spent his early years in Montana as a children’s goat roping horse, before making the transition to the East Coast and English tack. He’s spent the past 10 years with author Suzanne McGovern, currently living and playing on a happy horse farm in Dutchess County, NY.

Suzanne McGovern
author
Gator’s Gang! is the brainchild of author Suzanne McGovern. Born of a passion for horses, reading and writing, Gator was inspired by a long-awaited childhood dream come true – her very own first horse. A New York City advertising executive by day, Suzanne spends every spare moment “horsing around” with Gator and, more recently, her second horse, Milo, in the rolling hills of Dutchess County, NY.

Suzanne was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. She studied English/Journalism and Communication at the University of Delaware before moving to New York City to pursue a career in advertising. Suzanne holds a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from New York University.

Donna Bizjak
illustrator
Donna Bizjak lives with her husband, Frank, on a small farm in Claridon, Ohio, which is also home to three horses (including Quarter Horse, Q, pictured here), a pony and two barn cats named Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. This cast of characters, along with four grandchildren, provides ample inspiration for Donna’s favorite subjects -- kids and animals.

Born and raised in Ohio, Donna began drawing in early childhood. After studying art at Temple University and Cleveland State University, she kicked off a career as a graphic designer. As an illustrator, she has drawn caricatures, portraits, murals and illustrations for magazines, CDs and books. Donna has also worked as a syndicated cartoonist.