State-of-the-Art Facility in Iredell County
By: Linda B. Wilson
The smell of horsehair and the leather on her favorite dressage saddle is as much a part of Jennifer Dipple as her blonde hair and warm smile. She was born into a family who shares her love of horses. “Mark and I went horseback riding on our first date,” shares Jennifer’s mother Rhonda. “Early in our marriage we owned horses and enjoyed them as a family, but moving from place to place with Mark’s job it was many years before we could make our dream of an equine facility come true,” Rhonda adds. Jennifer has two older brothers and although the boys loved horses Jennifer showed an innate riding ability almost from the beginning.
She began riding lessons in Chicago at a young age but her first horse, Max, wasn’t purchased until she was 14. By then Jennifer was so accomplished that she and Max took many year-end and state awards. As a teenager she gained riding and horse management skills as a member of the U. S. Pony Club. “After school I took a job on a horse farm in England,” Jennifer said. “As a working student, I was fortunate to work and train with some of the best riders in the United States and Britain.” She also became a certified riding instructor through the Certified Horsemanship Association teaching dressage and jumping. She is also an assistant clinical instructor for CHA, certifying others to teach students.
After a few years Jennifer opened her own teaching and training business, D and B Training. Her students, from beginner to advanced, are benefiting from her vast knowledge as she offers summer camps, private and semi-private lessons and horse training.
In 2004 the Dipple family took the first step to make their dream of a premiere boarding and training facility a reality by purchasing 30 acres on Knox Farm Road in Iredell County. That was the beginning of three years of hard work to make Full Circle Farm.
First the barn was constructed with 12 stalls, an office, wash pits, large tack room and living quarters. The fencing soon went up, the grand prix jumping ring followed by an 85’ x 220’ lighted indoor arena. Mark and Rhonda built their home on the property in 2007. Mark, Rhonda and Jennifer have wasted no time getting the farm ready and they have already hosted clinics with the country’s top clinicians. “We will rent out the indoor arena to others for events, shows or clinics,” Rhonda said. Jennifer’s D and B Training has a show team sponsored by Country Ride Saddlery in Mooresville. The team participates in local and nationally recognized shows and events.
The Dipple’s are not only living their dream of owning an elite equestrian center but they offer the community a family oriented facility in which to learn and live a Southern Horsestyle lifein one of the finest new equestrian centers in our area.