My name is Crystal Ballard and I am the owner/operator here at Memphis Park Equestrian Services. Over the years Memphis Park has evolved from me being a rider/competitor in Dressage, showing and when I was younger Eventing and mounted games, to then a stud standing 2 stallions, breeding and showing Australian Stock Horses and now as a coach and Equine Bodyworker and in the background we are develo
ping a small equestrian centre with agistment. I am passionate about the benefits of natural therapies and progressive foundation training for horses and how in combination therapy and training can improve the performance and overall health and wellbeing of our Equine partners. In 2009 I completed my coaching accreditation with Horse safety Australia at the time I was coaching at a local riding club and helping riders of all ages and disciplines get a solid foundation in their riding. Along with this I initially mainly focused on training people with young horses (that we were on selling our horses to their new owners or other people who wanted help with their young horses) to get a solid foundation so that the horses were happy and content in their work and their owners were confident and relaxed. Allowing them to be able to choose whatever discipline they wanted. My focus was and still is to improve the relationship, between horse & handler/Rider from the ground up to ridden work by improving timing & feel opening the lines of communication. Then focusing on, having both horse and handler/rider in balance and harmony and then progressing the training using different types of exercises for suppleness, strength and stability. Combining cross training methods to develop both horse and rider/handler and to prevent boredom. Over the years I have utilised many therapies on my own horses including Equissage, Equine body work, Red Light, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, P3 treatments and Kinesiology taping and have seen the benefits first hand. Through study and learning from my own horses This in conjunction with core strengthening exercise programs including in hand work, stretching and specific pole work can all assist in having happy, healthy horses who are also sound, supple and strong to perform at their best. So a couple of years ago now I followed my passion into Equine therapy & Coaching and with my a back ground in Animal Health & Nutrition, 6+ years of experience with Equissage throughout Australia and NZ, plus 25+ years riding, training, starting my own horses under saddle and breeding I started to really focus on combining both into my business. Over the years I have completed my Rocktape (kinesiology tape) fundamentals course, Equinology Equine Body Worker (EQ100) qualification, attended Sharon May Davis Dissection, Equine Biomechanics seminars with Gillian Higgins and Angela McLeod and studying Photonic therapy through Equestricare as well as reading a lot of different literature about anatomy, Biomechanics, centred riding, rider biomechanics, training, rehabilitation, Saddlefit, nutrition, Equine management, hooves etc so that I can help not only my horses but my clients and their horses too. We are forever learning and in 2018 I commenced Straightness training (Straightness Training Academy) and this year (2019) I joined the online training with Ritter dressage and hosted Lucie Klaassen Balanced Horse and Rider Clinic and will also start her online training in May. I look forward to being able to provide horse owners, riders, competitors, trainers, breeders & lovers throughout the Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley and Southern Gold Coast and surrounds Equine Solutions either as a Coach and/or a Equine Therapist utilising a range of tools to best benefit their horses to assist them to live, perform and recover better! Hopefully I will get to meet you and your 4 legged fur babies! Cheers Crystal
Memphis Park was an Australian Stock Horse Stud and was established by Crystal in 2002
Memphis Park is a small stud where we are more conscious about breeding quality rather than quantity. Our aim is to breed horses that are stylish, easy on the eye, calm and responsive with a good temperament, conformation & movement. We breed with athleticism, versatility and trainability in mind. Resulting in a horse which is not only suitable to use as a pleasure horse but also one that has the presence and courage we all look for in a top level performance horse. This is all achieved by choosing horses to breed from that have good temperament, conformation and movement themselves as well as proven bloodlines and a natural ability that is adaptable to many different disciplines. We feel this allows you more freedom to choose the equestrian discipline you wish to excel in, whether it is Dressage, Eventing, Show-Jumping, Hacking, Polo / Polocrosse, working classes or Endurance; here at Memphis Park the bloodlines are proven! At Memphis Park we pride ourselves in our horses, every horse is part of a succession plan and is given the best opportunity to be a champion. This is achieved by carefully planned breeding, correct nutrition and management (worm, dental and hoof) and handling. Our horses are raised as naturally as possible by grazing in big paddocks with other horses.
