Sam Pegg Wins $10,000 New Balance Welcome Stake at Vermont Summer Festival
July 27, 2017 - East Dorset, Vermont
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Canadian competitor Sam Pegg of Uxbridge, ON, won the $10,000 New Balance Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 27, during the fourth week of competition at the six-week Vermont Summer Festival running through August 13 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT.
Pegg and his winning mount, Shaia de Macheco, were one of three pairs to advance to the jump-off over a track set by Canadian course designer and 1976 Olympic individual silver medalist, Michel Vaillancourt. Pegg produced one of only two double-clear efforts, stopping the jump-off clock in 32.11 seconds while Tracy Magness of Baltimore, MD, settled for second place after crossing the timers just fractions off the lead in a time of 32.38 seconds riding Intenz van HD. Lainie Wimberly of Ridgefield, CT, took third place riding RF Quarterman with a four-fault jump-off round in 36.16 seconds.
Ireland’s Jordan Coyle, now based at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, piloted Escalette to the fastest four-fault effort in the opening round for fourth place. Rounding out the top five, Jimmy Torano of Wellington, FL, pulled a single rail in the first round riding his Welcome Stake winner during week two, Diamant des Biez.
Pegg owns Shaia de Macheco, a 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Kannan x Rivage du Poncel) in partnership with his brother and international course designer, Michael Pegg, and their business partner, Basheer Khan.
“She is pretty special,” noted Pegg, who is showing at the Vermont Summer Festival for the first time with his own string of horses. “She is for sure our number-one horse right now. I have never had a horse with this much heart.
“She is not the biggest horse in the world, but she tries to win every class,” said Pegg of the 16-hand mare he purchased based on a video two years ago. “Michael was in Belgium looking for horses and he saw her competing. We couldn’t actually try her, but judging from what we saw, we bought her anyway.”
With the purchase of Shaia de Macheco, Pegg formed Ten Sixty Stables based in Uxbridge, ON, alongside Michael and Khan.
“She is part of the family,” said Pegg, 27. “When she is done competing, we will definitely breed her; she isn’t going anywhere.”
Pegg grew up riding with Neil Badcock of Standalone Farms of King City, ON, and made his U.S. debut at the age of 19 under the direction of California-based hunter rider, John French. Pegg then turned professional and spent six years working for Kris Cheyne of Kirin Farm in Kansas City, MO, before returning home to Canada.
In addition to his share of the prize money and a commemorative scrim from Mona's Monograms, Pegg was presented with a $1,000 gift card to the New Balance outlet store in Manchester, VT, by New Balance representative Thomas Sheldon.
Following Thursday’s victory, Pegg and Shaia de Macheco have their sights set on the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, on Saturday, July 29.
For over 20 years, the Vermont Summer Festival has attracted exhibitors and their families to the Manchester region in southern Vermont for great competition in an ideal summer setting. Offering more than $750,000 in prize money over the course of its six-week run, the Vermont Summer Festival is New England’s largest hunter/jumper competition as well as the state’s richest sporting event based on purse. Outside the show ring, exhibitors are immersed in the charm of Vermont's shopping, dining, and outdoor activities.
Competition at the 2017 Vermont Summer Festival runs weekly from Wednesday through Sunday, beginning each day at 8 a.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children from Wednesday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children with 100% of all gate proceeds benefiting the Manchester Community Library, Meals on Wheels of Bennington County, and the Rotary Club of Manchester.
For more information on the Vermont Summer Festival, please e-mail or visit www.vt-summerfestival.com.
$10,000 New Balance Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Rider Hometown Horse Faults/Time
1. Sam Pegg Canada Shaia de Macheco 0:0/32.11
2. Tracy Magness Baltimore, MD Intenz van HD 0:0/32.38
3. Lainie Wimberly Ridgefield, CT RF Quarterman 0:4/36.16
4. Jordan Coyle Ireland Escalette 4
5. Jimmy Torano W ellington, FL Diamant des Biez 4
6. Sam Pegg Canada Coco Beach Z 4
7. Sandra Dalman Wellington, FL Derina 4
8. Gabriel Rodrigues Honório Brazil Tabasco de la Nutria 4
