Horse wears ‘will you marry me?’ rug in rider’s ‘excellent proposal’

A rider who thought she was going to her livery yard for a photoshoot was overwhelmed to be greeted by her horse carrying a rug with the phrases “Will you marry me?”

Clair Diggle had had a “surprising” day yesterday (19 February) and was in no temper to go to Beeston Park Livery, close to Stockport, to participate in what she thought was a photoshoot for an equestrian journal. However having been persuaded to go, she walked in to seek out her “wonderful” girlfriend Kirsty Chambers holding Clair’s cob Bruce, in an indoor faculty remodeled for the proposal.

“It went to plan, aside from just a few bumps,” Kirsty advised H&H. “I’m simply glad she mentioned sure!”

Clair advised H&H she and Kirsty have been collectively almost 18 months.

“She’s in no way horsey, she’s into soccer,” Clair mentioned. “I didn’t like soccer and he or she didn’t like horses, and the settlement was we’d each make an effort, and we’ve caught to it. She was fearful of horses however now she’ll maintain Bruce and go in his steady. I didn’t know the very first thing about soccer however now I watch each week.”

Clair had no thought of Kirsty’s plan, which concerned everybody at Beeston Park.

“They’re all liars!” Clair joked. “There was a message within the yard WhatsApp group from the proprietor just a few weeks in the past, saying the yard could be closed for work to be completed on 19 February; I assumed it was on the drive. Then a few weeks later, she despatched a message saying it was truly {a magazine} photoshoot and so they needed to fulfill the liveries, and will we put on non-horsey garments. I mentioned nice, I’d be there.”

Clair had been advised to show up at 4pm however had not had one of the best day; having had points along with her automobile over the weekend, it was her horsebox’s flip to go incorrect.

“I used to be utilizing it to maneuver some stuff for work, and as I used to be filling it up, I observed a chemical odor,” she mentioned. “I received it checked and the mechanic’s phrases had been ‘It’s p***ing out diesel’. In any case these happenings, I texted Kirsty to say I wasn’t up for going to the yard.”

Involved about her plan, Kirsty tried to influence Clair to go, saying she mustn’t let yard proprietor Vicki Arden down. This didn’t work, and it was solely when Vicki replied to Clair’s message in uncharacteristically terse model, that Clair determined to go.

Image by Samantha Gill Pictures

“I received there and Vicki was lingering within the drive, which is uncommon; I’ve by no means seen her standing nonetheless!” Clair mentioned. “I walked into the indoor and noticed the LED gentle bins and balloons, and thought ‘That’s cute’, then realised what they mentioned. Then I noticed Kirsty with Bruce, thought ‘What’s happening?’ – after which she went down on one knee.

“I used to be fairly dazed, then went into panic mode about getting Bruce again for the vet, then my mum, grandma and greatest pal had been on the cellphone, and Kirsty’s mum; it was a bit overwhelming. Then once we received into mattress, I simply burst into tears because it had sunk in.”

Kirsty had put in an enormous quantity of effort; not simply bringing Vicki, each households and the opposite liveries into the key but additionally accumulating Bruce. The nine-year-old conventional cob has been staying at a rehab yard after an harm, so Kirsty needed to contact the yard and organize for him to be taken to Beeston Park, and again in time to see the vet the subsequent morning. Vicki had ready a steady for him and Clair’s sister had been to the rehab yard to groom and plait him for the event.

“It was wonderful,” Clair mentioned. “And naturally I mentioned sure! The proper equestrian proposal.”

Kirsty added that she had felt sick with nerves, however she needed the event to be private.

“It was the proper setting,” she mentioned. “And I’m certain Bruce – and the canine – will make an look on the marriage ceremony.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.