History & Owners

For FCHP owners Pat and Janice Ballard, the love of horses is an innate passion that is both consuming and rewarding. Both have undergraduate degrees in Animal Science from Texas A&M University and pursued careers in the equine industry in the years following their graduation. Their collective experience includes management of a large private boarding stable, management at the TAMU equestrian center, teaching hunt and jumper lessons, and hosting hunter/jumper shows in a regional circuit.

This path took a turn when they were blessed with children. They ultimately pursued legal careers—their “day job”. Janice began riding again in 2009 and now trains and competes as an eventer. When the opportunity to assume management of the barn at which they boarded came along in Spring 2015, Pat and Janice recognized that life had come “FULL CIRCLE” and that they had been given an opportunity to pursue their horse passion at a new level.

In Fall 2016, Full Circle Horse Park took another step forward and purchased 80 acres of land conveniently located east of Birmingham, just minutes off I-20. In Spring 2017, with phase one completed, the operation moved to its new home.

Philosophy

At Full Circle, we know that our horses demand dedication, hard work, and patience. We embrace the “sport of years” (as described by one wise trainer) and know that it can take a long time to develop a horse that is relaxed, supple, engaged, and capable of self-carriage. We know it can take equally long to develop the trust between horse and rider that will take them over the fields and fences, through mud and pond, and in rain and sun. That’s okay with us, because our horses are our passion!

We encourage riders to become active partners in developing and maintaining their horse’s mental and physical fitness. We believe that both horse and rider can meet their full potential through practicing good horsemanship and developing a regular exercise program with guidance from knowledgeable trainers.

We seek to ride every day and every stride with these principles in mind. Always working to improve and to develop new skills, yet understanding that sometimes set-backs happen, progress can be slow, and goals may feel always just out of reach. Yet by committing to the long journey, we can enjoy the process as well as a goal achieved, and celebrate achievements both big and small.