I love sharing rider + equine biomechanics on this page, and I’m really excited to start posting videos of Eddie’s progress to help visually demonstrate different concepts. But before I do, I want to share a few important things:
• First and foremost — developing horses and riders is ALWAYS a work in progress. Nothing I share is ever meant to be “perfect.”
• Eddie has some physical considerations that both his previous owner and I have worked closely with a veterinary team to manage. Keeping him comfortable, healthy, and happy is always the priority as I develop him.
• Part of why I was able to bring this incredibly talented and generous horse into my life is because I’m committed to taking the time to develop him in a way that truly supports his body. That sometimes means doing things a little differently — like more extensive groundwork, integrated cross training, and currently riding in a soft hackamore, which he’s happier in than a bit at the moment. My hope is that with strength and confidence, we can transition back — but his comfort will always come before tradition. Even if that means showing isn't in the cards for us (due to bit regulations).
• Eddie is just coming back from 2 months off after a fractured splint, and I’ve also been out of serious training for a few years. We’re both rebuilding strength and fitness, and we have a long way to go. These videos are filmed more for me to critique my own riding than to share.
I believe it’s important to share the process — not just the polished end result. I’ve hesitated to post because there’s always something (or many things) to critique (I promise, I see it all 😅), but I also know there’s value in showing the journey.
If I wait until everything looks “Instagram-ready,” I’ll never get to share the lessons I’ve learned through years of education, research, and hands-on work with riders and horses. And a picture (or video) is worth 1,000 words in explaining these concepts.
So I’m choosing to share the journey — and I appreciate your understanding and grace as Eddie and I continue to grow, develop, and strengthen together 🤍
✨ Meet the doctor behind Pacific Performance ✨
Dr. Jamie Shortz founded Pacific Performance for Riders to blend her two greatest passions: performance-based healthcare and equestrian sport. A lifelong dressage athlete, Dr. Jamie is a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist on self-produced horses, including her most successful partner, Winzalot. Together, they developed from young horse to Grand Prix, earning highlights along the way such as 7 medals at NAYC, an Intermediare I Open Horse of the Year title, and participation in the USDF Pipeline as both a Youth and Developing Rider.
In addition to competing, Dr. Jamie coached and trained dressage for many years and continues to ride with a special passion for developing horses. Her background in equine biomechanics shapes her training philosophy, with a focus on producing happy, healthy, and sustainable equine athletes.
Dr. Jamie holds a Doctorate of Chiropractic, a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, a Master’s in Sports Medicine, and the designation of Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician®. She is deeply committed to continuing education and blends advanced sports medicine training with a nuanced understanding of the equestrian athlete to deliver truly rider-specific care.
She is also certified through the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association as an equine chiropractor, allowing her to uniquely bridge the gap between horse and rider biomechanics—helping both perform at their best, together.
Dr. Jamie’s biggest “why” is her family: her wife, Dr. Savannah Shortz, their son Declan, their pack of dogs, and their herd of horses 🤍
#CaliforniaEquestrians #CaliforniaDressage #DressageRider #EquestrianAthlete #EquestrianWellness
✨ What does rider-specific care actually look like? ✨
It’s more than just “getting adjusted.”
It’s working with a doctor who understands riders—their bodies, their sport, and the demands of training and competing… because she rides too.
🐎 Rider-specific chiropractic care includes:
• Manual therapy at the convenience of your barn
• Tailored chiropractic adjustments & soft tissue work
• Sports medicine tools like laser therapy & taping
• Collaboration with you and your trainer to address specific riding challenges
• Customized exercise and mobility work to improve how you ride out of the saddle
Because the goal isn’t just to feel better—
it’s to move better, ride better, and support your horse through a more balanced, effective rider.
📍 Mobile, rider-focused care through Pacific Performance – The Rider’s Chiropractor
Serving the California equestrian community ☀️🐴
#TheRidersChiropractor #PacificPerformance #equestrian #dressage #SportsChiropractic
The black dragon dancing queen was out in FULL force breathing fire yesterday in the Grand Prix 🐉🔥 I could not be more proud of my girl, our partnership, and how much trust she has in me. Can’t wait to dance down centerline again tomorrow for the Grand Prix special at 9:40 eastern time! Tune in on clipmyhorse to watch from home (6:40 CA time!) the biggest thank you to our sponsors @worldeqbrands@equipe_saddles_official@trippequineservices@pacificperformancechiro@thetraditionalequestrian@bc2a.esp for all you do for us!
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#usefgrandprixnationalchampionships #wecocala #dressage #worldequestrianbrands #betweenhorseandrider
Low quality photo of my high-quality boy ♥️
This picture in shoulder-fore made me especially happy because I can see the improvement Eddie has made in three things he tends to struggle with: right bend, stepping under with the right hind, and shoulder freedom. It’s just one moment in time, but day by day he is building strength and symmetry 🙌🏻
All the little things play such a big role in these improvements:
• Working on MYSELF (on and off the horse)
• Chiropractic
• Bodywork (thank you @healthyhorsemassage )
• Shoeing changes
• Saddle fit
• Ample turnout
• Groundwork
• Bit/bridle changes (including bitless work)
• A conditioning program
• Adequate rest
• Good nutrition
So much goes into developing an equine athlete — and their well-being, along with showing up as our best selves for them, has to come first ♥️
Ellie my girl 🥹🖤🐉 the fire breathing dragon was in full force today! Although she was a bit nervous and on fire in the stadium she tried her heart out for me in the Grand Prix today! The walk suffered because of this preventing higher scores but the quality she gave me in between was just out of this world. So proud of our partnership I think today really proved how deep that is and the amount of trust she has in me. This is only the beginning my girl you better get used to dancing on the big stage ❤️ thank you to our sponsors @worldeqbrands@equipe_saddles_official@trippequineservices@pacificperformancechiro@thetraditionalequestrian@bc2a.esp
#usefgrandprixnationalchampionships #wecocala #usbred #dressage #worldequestrianbrands
Dr. Jamie will be available THIS SATURDAY at Starr Vaughn Equestrian Spring Dressage I! Looking forward to seeing everyone there and helping you ride down centerline feeling your best ✨
The way you sit either helps your horse’s back lift — or blocks it. 🐴 Supporting your own weight encourages core activation, engagement, and an elastic back. This is essential for performance and long-term spinal health of our equine athletes ✨
#pacificperformancechiro #theriderschiro #riderbiomechanics #dressage
First Spartan race in the books 💪🏻
Spartan Beast: 13.1 miles (14.4 “Spartan Miles”), 30 obstacles, and so much freaking fun!! Think half marathon meets adult playground - hard, silly, and more than a little dirty 😅 It was the perfect way to finish out year 32.
Plenty to work on before the next one (I'm coming for you, crazy monkey bars 🐒), but I’m already looking forward to round two.
Getting to tackle the course alongside my coach Nick of @anywherewarrior was extra awesome — I couldn't have done it without him, both on the course and in the gym over the past several years. The Anywhere Warrior family has pushed me to be the strongest and most functionally fit I’ve ever been, while having a whole lot of fun along the way. Thank you Nick and everyone at AW! 🙏
Good luck to my friends and gym family doing the Spartan Sprint and Super today and happy Easter to all! 🐰
I’ll be BACK on-site at Golden State Dressage Classic April 10–12 (Friday–Sunday)! ✨
If you want to feel your best in the saddle, I’ll be offering rider-focused care throughout the show in a private mobile office — including soft tissue work, chiropractic adjustments, sports medicine modalities, and a show-only “Rider Tune-Up.”
I know there's a lot going on at shows - scheduling will be flexible around your rides. However, I was nearly FULLY BOOKED in March, so if you are interested in an appointment for April:
📩 Send me a message to get on the Priority List for first choice of available times.
First-time clients — I’ll also send you the intake form ahead of time so we can maximize your treatment time at the show.
Looking forward to helping you stay comfortable, balanced, and performing at your best all weekend! 🐎✨
#GoldenStateDressage #TheRidersChiropractor
