A couple who are both horse loggers and who got engaged at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show have come full circle as they married at this year’s event (8-11 July).
Peri Dunford and Mark Jones said their vows in the woodland area of the show on Wednesday, with logging horses Stig (pictured right, above) and Tyne as witnesses.
The couple live near Preston and both are involved in the show’s forestry section, Peri horse logging and Mark logging and competitive pole-climbing. They hit headlines at last year’s event when Peri waited till Mark was at the top of one of the poles, got down on one knee and popped the question in front of a cheering crowd.
Show director Rachel Coates said: “Although this is not the first wedding we have hosted during the show it is in a unique location which is completely appropriate for a couple with such strong links to our forestry section. We were honoured they chose this space to tie the knot, and we wish them a long and happy future together.”
Mark and Peri met in a pub and soon discovered their mutual interest in horses. They both now work in Mark’s arboricultural business and at Myerscough College, Mark teaching chainsaw and tree-felling skills and Peri as an equine technician.
After the ceremony, Peri said: “It’s been fantastic, everything has been perfect. We can’t thank these guys at the show enough. It’s been so good.”
The couple had a short drinks reception, then changed and went back to the forestry section for Peri to take part in the horse-logging demonstrations and Mark to compete in the pole-climbing. After the show, they plan to take a month off for a honeymoon travelling in Iceland and Norway.
- To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
You may also be interested in:

‘The best day ever’: bridal party arrives in horsebox for the perfect Brightling wedding

‘What are you lot doing here!’ Pony Clubbers’ beautiful guard of honour at trainer and five-star rider’s wedding

Tales from Tokyo: ‘I used to be a wedding planner – but I don’t like weddings’

He’s a keeper! Boyfriend enlists rider’s horse of a lifetime – and his rug – for surprise proposal

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round