In the quiet of a weathered barn in Connecticut in the summer of 2022, a small, scruffy pony stood in the shadows.
She was the smallest among towering horses who pushed her aside, leaving her hungry, frightened, and forgotten. Her coat was matted, her feet ached, and her spirit, though dimmed, was not entirely gone.
What she didn’t know was that her story was about to change forever.
When a kind family visited the barn one afternoon, the timid pony could hardly believe her eyes.
A woman approached with tears glistening and a soft touch. She whispered, “We’ll be back soon.”
Samantha Peach remembered that moment vividly.
“It was so bad there,” she said. “I told Tom, ‘We have to go back for her.’”
Tom Peach didn’t hesitate. Within days, he built a small barn and fenced a pasture: a safe haven waiting for the little pony’s arrival. And true to their word, two weeks later, the family returned, this time with a horse trailer in tow.
Hours later, she stepped into sunlight and into a new life, a lush, green pasture by the ocean, the air rich with salt.
Her new family, Samantha and Tom Peach, their daughter Flora, and a dog named Rosie, welcomed her home.
They named her Pippin, after the “sweet and scrumptious” apple. It suited her perfectly.
That day, Pippin and Flora raced side by side, laughter and hoofbeats echoing across the fields, the first of countless adventures together.
Samantha Peach grew up in the countryside of Dorset, England, surrounded by animals and an instinct to care for them. Before moving to the U.S., she worked for years as a professional groom in Britain, earning recognition from one of the country’s top riders.
Tom Peach, too, grew up around ponies.
“My grandfather had them,” he said, smiling. “So this all felt a bit like coming full circle.”
Together, they’ve built not just a home, but a sanctuary.
“The whole street loves them — the kids, everybody,” Tom Peach said.
Flora, almost 5, shares a special bond with her pony. What little girl wouldn’t want a pony as her best friend?
When they’re not outside together, Flora and Pippin can often be found doing what best friends do: watching “Peter Rabbit” together in the living room.
“I like it when we can sit in here together,” Flora said, as Pippin peeked around the corner, ears pricked toward the TV.
Samantha Peach smiled: “They’re inseparable. Flora feeds her, walks her, rides her, brushes her — she takes such good care of Pippin.”
Flora and Pippin don’t just share affection — they share ambition. Together, they’ve become a winning team in local competitions. In 2023, Pippin was crowned Champion VSE Driver, a title meaning “Very Small Equine.” A perfect fit for a pony with an enormous heart.
Since her rescue, Pippin’s world has been filled with joy, adventure, and love. The family often takes her to the beach — especially Browns Island, where she loves to splash in the waves.
“She loves it there,” Tom Peach said. “We’ll bring her down for a swim, and everyone stops to say hello.”
She’s walked sandy shores, trotted through woodlands, and paddled in the ocean — her once-sore hooves now soothed by the same salty water that first set her free.
Today, Pippin is more than a pony — she’s an inspiration. Her story of resilience and friendship has leapt from the paddock to the printed page in a new children’s book written by Samantha Peach.
“I originally was just going to write it for Flora,” Samantha Peach said. “But I thought other children might enjoy it too.”
The book, “Pippin Saves Christmas,” takes readers on a heartwarming adventure through Marblehead, where Pippin, Rosie, and Flora discover the magic of the holiday season.
Beautifully hand-illustrated by artist Becky Hastings, the story captures the charm of a classic children’s tale with a timeless, old-fashioned spirit.
“It’s really a magical story for anyone,” Samantha Peach said, beaming.
From a frightened pony in a dim barn to a beloved family member, champion, and children’s book star, Pippin’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.
She’s living proof that love and kindness can rewrite even the saddest beginnings.
Life, for Pippin the Pony, is finally everything she dreamed it could be: green pastures, ocean breezes, and the laughter of a little girl who will always call her “best friend.”
