Author's Note: A little fantasy I wrote some time back. All characters are fictional; apologies for any similarity of names or descriptions, or resemblance to real-life events.

All the guests at last week's marriage/ownership ceremony agreed that it was definitely the social highlight of the season on the human equine circuit! The guests began gathering at noon, all dressed appropriately for such an occasion: formal suits being the rule for the men, smart dresses with hats and gloves for the ladies. Promptly at 12:30 the groom/owner, Master Anthony, entered, along with his best man and three groomsmen; all wore long grey riding coats, English riding boots, silk shirts, paisley cravats, and top hats. They took their place at the front with the minister, as soft music played in the background. The guests settled into their seats expectantly, and the procession began.

The first of the bridesmaids appeared at the back of the room, being led on a short reins by one of the gaily-garbed stable hands. The young filly was clad only in her harness, plumed bridle, and hooves, having been expertly washed, brushed, and groomed, her black-and-gold tack having been burnished to a fine shine, her bright blue plume jaunty upon her head, her mane and tail braided with blue and white ribbons, and white carnations adorning the top of her head, her arms secured behind with straps. She was led slowly down the aisle, stepping high, her hooves clopping loudly on the hardwood floor; obviously proud to be on display. She was followed by three more identically tacked ponygirls, each led by another stable hand, all quite lovely ponies indeed and together making a delightful matching set. Each in turn was led into place and hitched to a rail provided to the left of the altar for this purpose, facing the guests. When each was in place, the minister gestured for the crowd to rise, and everyone faced the back.

And so came the entrance of the bride, the ponygirl known as Morning Glory. She is a tall, slender but strong filly, with long legs, a lovely blonde mane and matching tail, deep brown eyes, and a trim, well-toned figure. Her tack was appropriately white, of course, with silver/chrome metalwork; even her plume was white, and a bit of a ruffle of a veil adorned her mane. Her blinders were in place as she entered, being ridden by Mistress Felicia, one of her first trainers and an old friend of Master Anthony's, elegantly attired in English riding gear.. Morning Glory was clearly very nervous as she came in, but Mistress Felicia kept a tight grip on the reins and urged her gently down the aisle at a steady pace.

Arriving in front of the aisle, Mistress Felicia dismounted gracefully, smiling to the guests, and proceeded to remove Morning Glory's blinders. The filly blinked once or twice and appeared pleased and reassured at the sight of her new owner. Mistress Felicia ceremoniously handed the reins to Master Anthony, who grinned and led his new pony to the altar. Mistress Felicia took her seat in the front pew as the minister began the ceremony.

The service was fairly short, but quite moving, the minister speaking on the relationship between horse and owner: the loyalty and trust that runs in both directions, the love and care, the responsibility and the joys; the necessary patience and discipline, and the way that, with time and care and love, the animal and owner become as one, knowing each other's thoughts and needs, a relationship like unto no other. He then read the vows, Master Anthony promising to love, cherish, respect, train and provide for his pony; Morning Glory showing her willingness to love, trust, obey and serve her new Master by tossing her head and clopping her hooves in response to the minster's questions.

Finally came the moment in which the minster pronounced the couple Pony and Owner, and added, "You may mount your pony," to Master Anthony. Anthony smiled, kissed his pony lovingly on the cheek, and then climbed aboard, and rode his proud bride down the aisle, as the guests applauded. The best man and groomsmen then proceeded each to mount one of the bridesmaids in turn, and followed down the aisle after the happy couple.

As the guests arrived at the reception immediately following, they found the groom and his party seated at the main table, with the bride and her attendants (the "bridle party" so to speak) each hitched to a post nearby, with halters substituted for their bridles and bits.. A reception line formed, each guest shaking the groom's hand and patting the fillies, several taking the opportunity to kiss their foreheads and feed them sugar cubes and other small treats. Lunch was then served to the guests, with stable hands feeding and watering the ponies as well; the gathered fillies ate lightly and seemed keyed up, but remained hitched to their posts contentedly enough as the conversations flowed around them. After the plates had been cleared, music began, and the ponies had their bridles and bits replaced. Master Anthony then led Morning Glory to the center of the room and attached a lunge line; as the music played, the couple had their "first dance" as he guided her through a series of "haute ecole" moves at the end of the line, signaling her with gestures, tugs, verbal signals and quick flips of his lunge whip. The bride performed beautifully, prancing proudly for her master and showing off a series of fancy dressage moves, to the delight of all.

The other ponies were then led to the center, and Mistress Felicia took up their lines to lead the bridesmaids through a coordinated routine in pairs and all four together, in another nearly flawless performance that drew appreciative applause from the guests. The ponies were then taken aside so that actual dancing could begin, but many of the guests took the opportunity for a "money ride", tucking bills of various denominations into the bride's tack in exchange for a quick caper around the perimeter of the room. The bridesmaids were pressed into service for this as well, and soon all five fillies had worked up a good sweat giving each guest his or her money's worth. Finally they were led next door to the barn to be cleaned up and prepared for the final touch of the reception, while the guests chatted, danced, and had coffee.

The groom then asked the guests to come outside, and everyone lined up expectantly. The stable doors were open, and out came a lovely black coach, drawn by the four bridesmaids, now in harness and driven by Mistress Felicia. The best man loaded the couple's bags on to the coach and joined Mistress Felicia, who cracked the whip at her charges and drove them into a swift trot down the cobbled lane towards the ranch house where the happy couple is planning to honeymoon. As they left, a second conveyance was brought out: this one a white chariot, of course being pulled by the bride herself. Master Anthony stepped into the driver's seat and took the reins, and thanked the guests for attending, then shook the reins and drove his bride off after the coach, as the guests tossed rice and streamers after them.

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