and Young Rider freestyles , design our music . The most rewarding part of dressage for me is bringing a horse up the levels myself , so my long term goal is to buy another young horse , perhaps even a foal , and bring it through the levels as I have done with Winny .”
Inspired by the greats
Being based in California , Jamie is lucky enough to be surrounded by fantastic mentors to help her make her mark . “ One of my biggest mentors and idols is Debbie McDonald . She is such an incredibly humble person and yet such a fantastic rider and trainer . I love that she made her own way in the horse industry through hard work and perseverance . Her connection with Brentina was so beautiful , I learned so much just from watching them together . She is also a phenomenal trainer and has given so much back to the sport . I have really enjoyed working with her over the years ; her training and support has gotten Winny and I through some of our toughest periods ,” she says thankfully .
Adrienne Lyle , Debbie McDonald ’ s protege , has also had a significant impact on Jamie ’ s career . “ Adrienne is also an incredible rider , trainer , and competitor . She is an extremely hard worker and talented rider . But the most incredible thing about Adrienne is her contagious positive attitude . I have really enjoyed working with her and also just being in her presence .”
“ Finally , I have only been working with Laura Graves for two years but I admire her tremendously and have learned so much from her . She has been so fun to work with in part because despite her huge international success , she is still young and relatively early in her international career and it is amazing to watch her teaching and perspective evolve as her career progresses . She works very well with Winny and my barn mates and I love hearing her stories about having Verdades from a foal to becoming the international superstar that he is now . These three powerful women have all inspired me to be a better rider and trainer , and have all played a part in my career to get me where I am today .”
University studies
To top off an already busy life , Jamie is currently studying a Doctorate of Chiropractic program at Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward , California . “ My undergraduate studies were in Exercise Biology and Psychology at the University of California , Davis . As part of my undergraduate career , I did a quarter abroad in Sydney , Australia where I did a writing intensive course load as well as an internship in Physiotherapy . My focus is on human chiropractic , but I may seek additional schooling in animal chiropractic after graduation in order to be able to work on horses as well ,” she explains . “ The program is extremely rigorous , but I love every minute of it . Chiropractic , particularly how it is taught at my school , has a huge focus on the mind-body connection and how energy influences the body , healing , and health . While horses have always and will always be a huge part in my life , I feel that I have found my true calling in Chiropractic . On top of my own health , Chiropractic has also immensely benefitted Winny ’ s performance over the years and continues to be a part of his regular routine . The best part is that it balances perfectly with my equestrian career , and will give me the opportunity to continue competing and training as a side business .”
Jamie ’ s studies took her to Haiti a few months ago and she plans to go back and serve the Haitian people at Christmas . “ My trip to Haiti was absolutely incredible . It is hard to explain in words because it was both so different from life as I know it but in so many ways it was also so similar . The biggest surprise to me was how the people there are just like me- just normal people , living within the conditions that they are in . Yet with how little they have , they are such joyful people ,” she says . “ Truly , the people there were so much less stressed than those in the first world . The term “ first-world problems ” has taken on new meaning because honestly , people here stress out about their what I now refer to as “ inconveniences ” more than people there do over where they will find their next water source . The children there are so playful and full of love and life . I felt such an incredible