Jack Is Back

In 2022, British rider Matthew Sampson rolled the dice when he brought a small string of horses across the Atlantic to compete in Canada.

In a matter of months, he became the undisputed breakout star of both the 2022 Spruce Meadows and Thunderbird Show Park Fort Summer Series—logging 19 international victories between June and September and his most successful year to date.

“Coming here last year was one of the best things I’ve ever done,” said the 33-year-old.

“It was obviously for me, coming from England, a massive financial risk and output to bring all the horses here. But luckily it really paid off. I had a great bunch of horses and owners and all the horses went from strength to strength.”

The most consistent winner of that tour was not the highest jumping horse, but perhaps the speediest: Curraghgraigue Obos Flight. The 2012 Irish Sport Horse stallion captured eight podium finishes at the 1.40m and 1.45m heights between tbird and Spruce Meadows, seven of them victories.

This year, “Jack” is back. And back at it.

The now 11-year-old stallion lead the victory gallop in Langley again on Thursday, topping a four-horse jump off in the tbird Challenge 1.40m in 40.53 seconds. Bretton Chad (CAN) and CSF Princess Blue took second in 40.86s. Katie Kruger and Goodwill VB (CAN) third in 43.43s.

“I’ve had him since he was seven. So I know him inside out,” said Sampson. “He’s so fast, just naturally. And he knows his job.”

The win was a reunion of sorts. In April, Sampson handed the reins over to Kara Chad (CAN), his partner in business and life, and watched as she too collected wins with the stallion at Spruce Meadows and tbird.

This week, she returned the favor, albeit temporarily.

“Kara was kind enough to let me steal Jack back,” smiled Sampson, who flew in from Europe to jump his top horse Equine America Ivanhoe at tbird in preparation for next month’s Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows.

“It’s only that Kara has got three horses already in the three star that we were like, well, you know while I’m here I’ll jump him again. She’s going to ride him again after this week.

“He’s just amazing. He’s just a great little horse.”