About Karyn Norris - Owner

Madison Park Stables is the dream of professional horsewoman, Karyn Norris. Karyn is passionate about horses and has a wealth of experience in many facets of the equine industry.

Karyn has been responsible for the care of some of Australia's most expensive horses including Kerry Packer's number one string of polo ponies and Ian Francis's futurity winning cutting horses.

Karyn is also well known for her own successful Samford based horse business specializing in:

• Starting and developing young horses
• Retraining problem horses.
• Show preparation.

Karyn also breeds and trains her own horses and competes successfully at National Level.

The culmination of all this experience is Madison Park Stables... Samford's finest agistment property.

Karyn and 'Paratta Sunray' at the prestigious 'Cloncurry Stockmans Challenge' 2003, finishing 8th out of 85 competitors.			Karyn and her black 3 yr old filly, 'Kesta Madonna', sucessful at the 2003 'Australian Stockhorse National Show'.

In 2008 Karyn had a young horse fall with her and she suffered a serious brain injury.

After 4 months in hospital we were told she would be a vegetable, wouldn’t be able to speak, respond, follow a command and would be confined to a bed or wheel chair for the rest of her life.  There was little point in doing rehab.

We chose to keep trying and found therapists to help us.

She was soon giving a yes/no response and later attempting speech. Then we achieved some voluntary muscle movement.  We brought her home and continued therapy.

After many months Karyn was talking, eating, driving an electric wheel chair, going out for coffee and shopping.  She rides every week on one of her horses (Maddie, who Madison Park was named after) with the help of 3 people and operates a six foot cut zero turn mower with joystick control. 

12 months ago when we mentioned Karyn wanted to walk we were told to have realistic goals and we learnt not to mention it again.

Now Karyn can stand up with support and is doing walking drills in the pool and in the gym.

Karyn has constant support from her friends, and it is a testament to what she had created at Madison Park that many of them are ex Madison Park clients who have moved out to the valley to live.  

Karyn wanted to start competing again.  We aimed for the led Australian Stock Horse classes and started to train her gelding Madison Park Fletcher to lead from the power wheel chair.  Fletcher was Maddie’s first foal and the one who had fallen with Karyn back in 2008.  She has now competed at three local shows and is aiming for Brisbane Royal 2011.

Karyn’s next goal is to get more involved with Madison Park.  She hasn’t lost any of her horse knowledge and eye for detail.  She is mowing the paddocks and checking the horses and facilities.

Anyone who is involved with this amazing lady can’t help but be inspired.  Who knows what the future will hold for her.