FOUR former members of the Killinick Branch who had broad smiles on their faces following their win in the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate team championship at Tattersalls Ireland in August 2014, were beaming last Saturday at the wedding of one of the quartet, Karen Rowe, to Mayo native Brian McNicholas.

One of Karen’s two bridesmaids was her sister and fellow 2014 teammate Rachel who, prior to those Irish Pony Club eventing championships, had won the Intermediate combined training competition at the Dublin Horse Show on The Artists Apprentice. At Tattersalls, Karen recorded the only clear show jumping round of the quartet on Grantstown Temptation.

Also on hand to celebrate the nuptials on Saturday were Noel Dunne and Paddy Hamilton. The former produces young show jumpers and eventers while Paddy breeds both thoroughbreds and sport horses. Both rode unraced thoroughbreds on the 2014 team, Noel being on board the Warcraft gelding Warship while Paddy, who won the league title, partnered a then seven-year-old gelding by Milan.

Rachel no longer has time to ride but when the now happily-married couple first moved to Co Sligo, where they are now living, Karen began coaching with the local Sligo Pony Club and last year was District Commissioner of the Branch. Because of all that’s involved in organising a wedding, she stepped down from the role this year but keeps her hand in with horses on visits home as she always heads up to Noel’s Taghmon yard where she is welcomed with open arms being an expert mane-puller!

Although he was never involved hands-on with ponies or horses, happily for Brian, he has a big interest in racing so is not totally at sea when the four teammates meet up and, importantly, he is also fond of dogs, sharing the duties of looking after Marley with Karen.

Brian’s parents, Tom and Marie, were among the guests at the wedding ceremony in Murrintown Church which was followed by a reception in Newbay House. The wedding party also included bridesmaid Joey Lyons, Shaun Robinson (best man), Tom McNicholas (groomsman) and Nathan Durkan (page boy). Saturday was a day of double celebrations as Karen and Rachel’s parents, Helen and Michael, were married 30 years ago to the day.