Just a short year after their big day, Nadine and Damien were last night finally presented with our club wedding present — a magnificent group portrait by Marina of the three animals with which they will forever be associated: Armstrong, Molly and Harvey. We might be lacking a vet in the club but there can’t be too many riding clubs who can boast an artist of Marina’s talent! The likenesses are incredible and the character of each animal is captured perfectly.

Earlier in the evening it was apparent that couples need to invest more than a mere year in their marriage before peaking in the bowling stakes. Nadine and Damien finished amongst the also rans while Libby and Rick carried off the prize in the Best Couple category. Their chances were helped greatly by Rick’s performance in taking the Best Man title with the night’s top score. Although missing Enda and thus ineligible for the couples’ championship, Marina still managed to thwart Tanya and take the Best Girl title. Mike Cuffe and Vera took the coveted “worst” crowns, with Vera picking up a very nice set of farrier’s pincers for her sporting effort. The prize-giving ceremony took place during the most enjoyable aprés bowl dinner.

A very big thanks to Marina for organising the whole evening (and to Damien and Nadine for getting married).