IRISH show jumper David Simpson and his fiancée Louise Pavitt were married last Friday in a ceremony attended by a large gathering of family and friends. Unsurprisingly, the wedding day had a distinctly equestrian theme, with many show jumpers in attendance.

Simpson’s best man was Irish Nations Cup rider Anthony Condon and his groomsmen included Derek McCoppin and David’s cousin Andrew, while at Louise’s side was her show jumper sister Nicole, sister Kelly, Lola Wade, Emily West and Amelia Harrison.

Louise’s parents Sandra and Tony joined David’s parents Edmund Simpson and Pat Podmore at the top table at the five-star South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex.

Joining Louise and David’s sons Conor and baby Charlie in the junior wedding party were their cousins Alfie and Louis and Robert and Kate Whitaker’s daughter Evie as flowergirl.

Two latecomers to the ceremony were Greg Broderick and Shane Breen, who made a last minute dash from Rio de Janeiro to fulfil at least some of their duties as groomsmen, albeit late. The pair were clapped and cheered as they took their places at the reception.

Guests from the show jumping world included the Bunn clan of Hickstead, Geoff Billington, Dave and Shaz Quigley, Michael Duffy, Amy Inglis, Michael Quirke, Richard Howley and many more.

Given that the wedding coincided with the individual show jumping final at the Rio Olympics, it was hardly surprising that the speeches were delayed by an hour.

The entire guest list watched Nick Skelton and Big Star jump clear to take Britain’s first ever individual show jumping gold medal to raucous cheers from the room.