Gemma Tattersall Engaged After Bicton Proposal

Gemma Tattersall is engaged after a Bicton proposal.

Winning her first ever CCI5* title at the Chedington Bicton Park Horse Trials, Gemma also received an unexpected surprise at press conference afterwards.

The one-off event in Devon was the first 5* event to run on UK soil in two years. Leading an an all-female top three, the first time this has been achieved in 18 years, the event was made extra special by her husband-to-be’s gesture.

Gemma was taking part in the press conference in the middle of the public tradestand area, sitting alongside second and third-placed rider’s Pippa Funnell and Piggy March. This was when her boyfriend, Gary Stevens, popped the question asking Gemma to marry him.

There wasn’t a dry eye in sight as Gemma hugged Gary. Pippa and Piggy were quick to congratulated the pair.

“We could be the bridesmaids!” Piggy laughed, indicating Pippa and herself.

Earlier that day, Pippa threw her bouquet of flowers as they left the winners podium, which Gemma had caught. Some may say it was written in the stars, as whoever catches the bride’s flowers at a wedding is meant to be next to marry.

Just before Gary proposed, Piggy had been saying that she knew how Gemma felt in taking her first five-star title, having won her first at Badminton Horse Trials in 2019.

Piggy commented;

This was Gemma’s day and she totally deserved it.”

“I’d have liked to have beaten her, don’t get me wrong – I was giving it a go!”

Piggy’s own marriage was also linked to her first five-star win. She and Tom March tied the knot in June 2019, at a surprise wedding which was billed to guests as a Badminton celebration party.

Gemma won Bicton five-star riding the home-bred Chilli Knight. Pippa Funnell came second on Billy Walk On and Piggy March third on Vanir Kamira.

Header Image; Chedington Equestrian Bicton Park 5* – Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight (Guy Sweetman Photography)