Dr. Mark Dedomenico

Pegasus is the vision of Dr. Mark Dedomenico, who combines a medical background as a preeminent heart surgeon with 40 years of experience in the equine business. Dr. Dedomenico has owned a training facility since 1970. Pegasus realizes his dream of a premier spa for horses -- devoted to the highest medical standards, supporting the latest training methods, and staffed by experts who share his passion for these magnificent athletes.

Mike Puhich – Trainer/Director of Horse Operations

Mike hails from a large racing family which educated him in the many facets of thoroughbred racing. He began his career as a trainer in 1984 at Longacres Race Track and raced horses there until the track closed in 1992. Setting his goals higher, he ventured to other race tracks in New York, Chicago, Kentucky, Texas, and Southern California. This experience provided him with a vast working knowledge of both dirt and synthetic racing surfaces.

Among his many achievements is winning the Precisionist Stakes at Hollywood Park with Stolen Gold, he saddled the Kirkwood-owned Daros to win the Del Mar Derby before running in the Breeder’s Cup Turf, and won the Lone Star Derby with Southern Africa. Mike was also instrumental in helping Eclipse’s award-winning jockey, Tyler Baze, break into the sport of horse racing. He is highly respected for his expertise by horse trainers and owners such as; Kathy Walsh, Bob Baffert, Mike Pegram, Gary Tanaka, John Saddler, John Sherriffs and many others.

He continues to work with young people interested in horse racing by providing advice and encouragement to grooms, riders and new trainers. Mike brings to Pegasus a working knowledge of developing young horses through the breaking process and early development. His experienced eye helps horses develop to their full potential.

Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith – Consulting Surgeon

Dr. McIlwraith holds the position of University Distinguished Professor, Barbara Cox University Endowed Chair in Orthopedics and is Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University. Dr. McIlwraith consults world-wide in equine orthopedic surgery, and has received national and international recognition for his contributions to orthopedic surgery and joint research. He is the author of four textbooks and has authored or co-authored over 400 referred publications and textbook chapters, as well as presenting over 500 seminars, both nationally and internationally to equine practitioners, veterinary specialty groups and at human orthopedic meetings.

Dr. McIlwraith received his veterinary degree with distinction from Massey University in New Zealand in 1971 and did his surgical residency at Purdue University, as well as MS and PhD degrees in the area of joint disease (arthritis). He is Board Certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is Past-President of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Veterinary Orthopaedic Society.

His honors include honorary doctorates from Massey University in New Zealand (2003), the University of Vienna (1995), the University of Turin (2004) and Purdue University (2001), as well as the Founder’s Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (2006), the Schering-Plough Award for Equine Applied Research for outstanding research work in equine locomotor disorders (1995), the John Hickman Award for Equine Orthopaedics from the British Equine Veterinary Association (1997) and the Tierklinik Hochmoor Prize at Equitana, Essen, Germany for international contributions to equine orthopedics (1993). He also was inducted into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame in 2005 and was the Frank Milne lecturer (lifetime contribution award) from AAEP in 2005.

Vanessa DeRoux – Rehabilitation Manager

A native of Alaska, Vanessa spent nine years in southeastern Pennsylvania, where she received her B.S. in Equine Science from Delaware Valley College. Upon graduation, she managed the 1000-acre non-profit Bucks County Horse Park. In addition, she co-managed the private boarding facility where she stabled her Thoroughbred mare and spent time working at a local vet hospital.

Kristin Thielsen – Office Manager

Kristin has been actively competing in dressage for the last 15 years and has two warm-blood horses of her own. She has managed sport horse farms before coming to Pegasus, and loves the daily delights of working with horses.