CONGRATULATIONS to newly-engaged couple Brian Murphy and Lisa Crosbie who were at Dublin shortly after Brian had popped the question on holidays in Tuscany. Unbeknownst to Lisa, it took a couple of attempts by fellow schoolteacher Brian to find the ideal moment to get Lisa away from the yard, a show or a schooling session long enough to propose.

A suggested visit to Tintern Abbey, Lisa’s favourite place, was ruled out after a long day at a show, so it was Plan B in Italy.

A five-hour delayed flight, the blistering Italian heat affecting plans for a romantic mountaintop stroll and a bout of seasickness on a sunset boat trip narrowed Brian’s options but Brian found the perfect moment on the last night to propose in front of the La Spezia Marina, overlooking the city at sunset, before arriving home the next day.

While celebrations were put on hold at Courtnacuddy during RDS prep week, the couple had further cause for celebration at Dublin where Lisa showed her parents John and Julia’s three-year-old filly Memory Lane (reserve in her class) and Laura Kelly led their Tinnascolly Magic to second place in the middle/heavyweight geldings division.