In place of her late father, Kelly Ogier rode Tink – formerly known as Tinker’s Tale – down the aisle to her new husband, Justin at St Pierre Park Hotel on Saturday. The retired show jumping horse gave the bride away, before quietly standing to watch the ceremony.
‘My dad sadly wasn’t here to give me away,’ she said.
‘So having Tink walk me down the aisle was the most meaningful tribute.’
Mrs Ogier became the owner of her dark, draft horse five years ago, on what would have been her dad’s birthday. The top UK show jumper, who has won over £83,000 in his career, had previously been used to male riders, demonstrating speed and power.
It was a turbulent start for the pair, with Mrs Ogier taking many a hard fall trying to tame the tenacious animal. However, in the end she said it took letting go of the reins and placing greater trust in her steed to form a dynamic partnership, which went on to score many victories in the arena.
The poignant ceremony followed the retirement of both rider and horse after career-ending injuries.
‘It was a heartbreaking decision to retire,’ she said.
‘Show jumping has been such a huge part of our lives for so long. We’ve been through so much together, and I never imagined our final chapter together would be my wedding day. Instead of entering an arena one last time, he walked me down the aisle. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate everything we’d achieved together and to start a new chapter.’
The wedding united two of Guernsey’s best-known riders, who met through the sport around 15 years ago and are believed to be the first couple to have both represented the island on the Guernsey show jumping team.
Mr Ogier is the reigning Senior Show Jumper of the Year and the island’s top Gents Champion.
A close, life-long friend of the couple, Jan Coomer – regarded as a ‘legend’ in the local equestrian scene – has helped both the bride and groom through their show jumping careers, and Mr Ogier now rides her horse Zandokan.
‘I was totally delighted when Kelly and Justin got together,’ she said.
‘They are the island’s golden show jumping couple. Despite many early life traumas, they’ve built a wonderful life together and are raising their delightful son, Seth Owen, who was their best man and did a sterling job at just 13 years old.’
Mrs Ogier’s own competitive career was cut short by a serious knee injury two years ago that has required four operations on both legs.
Tink suffered an injury the following year that ended his days in the arena.
‘It meant the world to me to get back on board my beautiful horse,’ said Mrs Ogier.
‘Having him by my side on my wedding day reminded me that although our show jumping career had ended, our partnership never will. He’s not just my horse – he’s my best friend.’
The newlyweds said the team at St Pierre Park Hotel went above and beyond to create their ‘fairytale’ wedding, which they will remember as nothing short of perfect.
‘I was terrified about everything, preparing for lots to go wrong,’ said Mr Ogier.
‘For Tink to confuse the lake at St Pierre Park with the water jump at Hickstead, and for Kelly to go swimming. But he didn’t, they were both perfect and everything that could’ve gone wrong just didn’t. The weather was amazing and we even nailed our first dance. It was a dream come true.’
As a well-loved, forever member of the Ogier family, Tink will spend the rest of his days in Guernsey, enjoying rides for fun.