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When Shelby Janes was just a child, she fell off her horse, a common setback that many young riders face. Unlike many, though, she was determined to get back on. Despite the recurring injuries that made it difficult for her to stay on her horse, she never lost her passion for equestrian sports.
Today, Shelby is using her personal experiences and her academic expertise in athletic training to revolutionize the way horse riders approach their sport and manage their health.
Shelby’s journey into the field of athletic training began at the University of Idaho, where she started a two-year master’s program in Fall 2020.
Her decision was influenced by a conversation with a student from the University of Idaho who was doing a clinical rotation at Seattle Pacific University, where she was studying as an undergraduate.
"He said he loved the program so I took a look. I was impressed by the comprehensive nature of the program and all of the different aspects of patient care they teach."
Determined to explore various facets of athletic training, Shelby didn't confine her education to the classroom. She sought diverse clinical rotations across the country, gaining exposure to different settings and challenges.
Her rotations ranged from working with the football team at the United States Military Academy at West Point to helping the dance team at George Mason University. She also gained experience in a more industrial setting, evaluating bio-mechanical and ergonomic assessments for Amazon Fulfillment Center's distribution team members in Spokane, Washington.
It was during her time at George Mason that Shelby began to see how she could blend her love for equestrian sports with her professional skills. Observing how the head athletic trainer there not only treated injuries but also taught athletes to prevent them, Shelby saw a parallel with her own experiences.
"I grew up riding horses. I started when I was six. I got injured a lot — I had three knee surgeries. I wish I knew about athletic training back then to help me recover and to train smarter."
Now a graduate, Shelby plans to start her career in high school or college athletics. However, her ultimate goal is to introduce athletic training to the equestrian community, a group that might not fully realize how beneficial such training could be.
"Because of my injuries, I understand the need for this kind of training for horse riding. I think the equestrian community needs this, and I want to be the one to bring it to them."
Through her diverse training and personal drive, Shelby Janes is well-equipped to bring a transformative approach to athletic training within the equestrian world. By doing so, she not only aims to enhance the safety and performance of riders but also to ensure that future generations of equestrians can enjoy their sport with significantly reduced risk of injury.
Shelby Janes is a pioneer, poised to make a significant impact on the world of equestrian sports.
