Maplepark Farms: Built Naturally, Grown Together

An interview with Kara Chad and Matthew Sampson

Maplepark Farms is not the result of a carefully mapped-out business plan, but rather the natural coming together of two riders whose lives, careers and ambitions slowly aligned. Five years on from its official beginning, Kara Chad and Matthew Sampson have built a stable that reflects both of their backgrounds, their shared work ethic and their belief in producing horses properly.

“So we have Maple Park Farms, which is our business,” Kara begins. “We started together just five years ago this week actually. Beginning in 2020.”

Although the anniversary feels significant, both riders are quick to explain that Maplepark existed in practice before it existed in name. “It kind of officially came up last week,” Kara says, “but it was building before that.”

Today, Maplepark Farms covers a wide range of activities within the sport. “We do sales, sourcing, training, producing and, of course, competing – that’s the main part,” Kara explains. “And yeah, we love it.”

What matters just as much as the horses, though, are the people. “We’ve got great people around us, a great team, really good clients that we train,” she adds. “Great owners, great horses, and we’re just slowly building and building and building.”

Joining Forces

Both Kara and Matthew had already established themselves professionally before Maplepark Farms came into being. Kara was working for another program, while Matthew was running his own stable. The decision to work together, however, was never a dramatic turning point.

“We kind of knew from when we first got together,” Matthew explains. “Kara was working for someone at the time and I was doing my own thing. Then you left and had a few horses of your own, and we started working together straight away.”

What followed felt instinctive rather than strategic. “It wasn’t even really decided, to be honest,” Matthew says. “It was just natural that it kind of all came together. We worked really well together straight away.”

After working side by side for a period, the next step became obvious. “It was only the next natural thing to join forces,” he adds. “To do it together, really.”

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name Maplepark Farms reflects both riders equally. “My family home is called Parklands,” Matthew explains. “And Kara is from Canada – the maple leaf – so that’s why we call it Maple Park.”

For Kara, the name immediately resonated. “It has a joint connection,” she says. “Meaning for both of us.”

Two Backgrounds, One Program

With Kara from Canada and Matthew from Great Britain, Maplepark Farms sits at the intersection of two equestrian cultures. Rather than creating challenges, that contrast has become one of the stable’s biggest strengths.

“Being from two different backgrounds – Europe and North America – is extremely valuable,” Kara explains. “There are parts that Matt knows a lot about that I had less experience with, and parts I knew a lot about that he had less experience with.”

Between them, they understand both systems deeply. “I grew up in Canada but competed a lot in the U.S., and then spent some time in Europe as well,” Kara says. “Now we’re competing on both sides.”

Matthew adds, “We do quite a lot of shows in Canada and sometimes the U.S., and we do a lot of shows in Europe and England.”

That international approach extends to their team. “At the moment we have an American groom and a Canadian groom training in England,” Kara notes. “Which is quite cool. It benefits us in every way, really.”

What Success Really Means

When asked about their biggest achievements with Maplepark Farms, both riders focus less on results and more on development.

“We really enjoy seeking out young horses or green, inexperienced horses and bringing them into our program,” Kara says. “Developing them and then being able to sell them on to a suited client or rider.”

For Matthew, the satisfaction comes from seeing the bigger picture. “It’s not only seeing the horse grow in our program and sell them on,” he explains, “but also seeing them grow with that next rider. Being able to follow those horses and be proud that you were part of that journey.”

Producing horses properly is something both riders value deeply. “Having success with a horse that you’ve brought up,” Kara adds, “even if it’s not a young horse, that feeling of success and relief – knowing you did it right – that’s huge.”

There are also moments that feel particularly special. “Both of us competing at shows like this together, and then again in London,” Matthew says. “It’s so hard to get into these shows. For both of us to be riding at that level together is an amazing feeling.”

“You feel very privileged to be in that position,” he adds.

Milestones at Home and Abroad

Away from the arena, a recent milestone stands out. “We bought a house,” Kara says. “That’s something we’re really proud of right now.”

“In England, in the south,” Matthew adds. “We’ve been living like gypsies for seven years. Spain was a home for a while, then everywhere.”

After years of constant movement, settling down feels significant. “Even before we met, we were both always living out of a suitcase,” Kara reflects.

Looking Ahead

The future for Maple Park Farms is about steady growth rather than sudden change. “We want to keep building the stable,” Matthew says. “Keep building the team and everything around us.”

Like many riders at their level, they also share a long-term dream. “I think we both want to ride at an Olympics one day,” Kara says. “That’s every rider’s main dream.”

For now, though, their focus remains firmly on the process. “Having good horses, producing nice young ones, and seeing the people we help do well,” Matthew says. “That’s where we get the most pleasure.”

At five years in, Maple Park Farms continues to grow the same way it began: naturally, thoughtfully, and always with the horses at the centre.

Valentina Sozzi

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