CONSIDERED the social event of the year, especially in equestrian circles in Unionville, Pennsylvania, USA, where family and friends gathered to join in the celebration of the marriage of Irishman Ivan Dowling to Californian Stephanie Boyer.

Dowling, a native of Loughrea in Co Galway, grew up hunting with the Galway Blazers before emigrating to America as huntsman of Mr Stewart’s Cheshire Hounds in Unionville for the last 12 seasons.