31 May 2026
Hearts Racing
Ngā Mārena. Rural Weddings.
writer: Anna Scaife
photographer: Victoria Sheridan
A shared passion for horse racing brought Jessica Murphy, known as Jess, and Marc Hamilton together, so when the couple exchanged vows on a bluebird autumn day in Central Otago, it made sense for Jess’s Appaloosa gelding, Micah, to take a starring role.
Above. Marc’s wedding day highlights were the setting and the first glimpse of his bride. “We had such a great day. I loved the scenery being up in the Nevis, and it was special seeing Jess come down the aisle with the horse,” he says.
Horses and racing had played a huge part in Jess’s life, but when her father, Eddie, mentioned he was looking for new members to join a racing syndicate, she never imagined it would lead her to the man she would marry. “My father owns and trains racehorses as a hobby,” she says. “He asked me to look for some ‘young blood’ to join one of his syndicates. I was at a bull sale and asked a few of the lads if they were interested. Three of them signed up on the spot, and one of them asked if there was a spare share for their mate Marc.”
Jess, now 35, and Marc, now 33, met briefly soon after. The pair began chatting, and met up again at the Wānaka A&P Show. Jess says, “He wanted to take me out to dinner but I cancelled because I had a work dinner. My workmates got wind there might be a man on the scene and said, ‘Bring him along!’ So he came in, ordered himself a cocktail and sat down at the table. It turned out he knew half the people there. And the rest is history.”
With seven horses of her own, riding has played an integral part in Jess’s life for many years. But until the couple met, Marc’s involvement had been less hands-on. Jess says, “I remember being at a race meeting early on and I asked him to put some hoof oil on one of the horses. He said, ‘No way, I’m not going anywhere near it.’ But recently I turned around and he was getting my rising two-year-old highly strung warmblood out of the paddock to tie up and handle his legs. He’s come a long way. It’s great how he’s thrown himself into it.”
Top row. “He was the most talked about guest at the wedding!” says Jess about Micah. Bottom image. Jess swapped her pink Mi Piaci heels for floral Ariat cowboy boots immediately after the ceremony – “more practical in the rugged Nevis terrain and also to ride my horse,” she says.
New Zealand Cup and Show Week is a particularly special time for the couple, and the scene of major relationship milestones. Marc has fond memories of spending time with Jess during the event. He says, “At our first cup week together I realised we had so many similar interests – it really cemented things.” Jess agrees, “It’s our most favourite week of the year.” Then, at last year’s event, the couple became engaged. Jess recalls, “Marc booked a helicopter flight over the Port Hills on the Saturday morning – most people ask why I didn’t get suspicious at this, but Marc is always full of surprises. We landed on a private beach on farmland – with ewes and lambs all around – and Marc got down on one knee. It’s impossible to forget the date we got engaged, and, since we met through a racehorse, it was perfect that it happened during the biggest week in New Zealand racing.”
After the November proposal, the couple put the planning on the fast track for an autumn wedding date. They decided to hold their wedding beside the Nevis Road. Jess says, “I have done a lot of riding in that country, and we both love Bannockburn and the Nevis, with the incredible 360-degree views.” Wanting “a party in a paddock,” Jess and Marc asked a friend whether he knew of any farms in the area that would let them put a marquee up, and he suggested the Tannacrieff winery. “We both unanimously said, ‘Heck, yes!’ What a perfect spot, with a beautiful setting in amongst the apricot trees.” Choosing not to hire a planner, the day was masterminded by Jess and pulled together with the help of their community. “It made it super special that all of our friends and family rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to help us.”
Above. “We got everyone to meet at Tannacrieff and then carpool in 4WDs twenty minutes up the Nevis. People are still telling me now it was a fantastic way to connect with other guests they hadn’t met before,” says Jess.
Another highlight was including Jess’s nineteen-year-old Appaloosa gelding, Micah, in the ceremony. “He has been with me for a big part of my life and we have achieved a lot together,” says Jess. Their most notable achievement was receiving Reserve Champion Pleasure Horse at the Horse of the Year Show in 2018. “As I said in my vows, he has seen every past partner of mine so I thought it was fitting both Dad and Micah walked me down the aisle.”
Marc and Jess may be married, but the couple aren’t yet sharing a home. In fact, they live three hours apart. Marc lives in Waihōpai Invercargill where he works as a stock agent for Blue Sky Meats, while Jess, who is a rural manager for FMG, lives near her parent’s farm in Waikouaiti. It’s an unconventional arrangement that occasionally raises eyebrows, but Jess says they make it work. “We both love our jobs, and I need the land for the horses and I help my parents on their nearby farm. So one of us travels on Friday night so we can spend the weekend together, then leaves early Monday. People who have been married a long time often say we have the perfect arrangement,” she laughs.
Long distance works for now, but this equestrian couple is making plans for a cosier future. Marc and Jess have also purchased a boutique lamb meat company, Leelands Gourmet, selling online and supplying to high-end restaurants nationwide. Jess says, “It’s likely that Marc will move north. We’d like some more land for the horses and some sheep. And we’d like to live in the same house!”
Above. Jess and Marc with their bridal party. “Our special day was rich in the things that mattered – community, friendships and love,” says Jess.
Bride: Jessica (Jess) Murphy, 34, daughter of Jenny & Eddie Murphy, Waikouaiti, Otago
Groom: Marc Hamilton, 32, son of Sharyn & Nick Hamilton, Hokonui, Southland
Wedding Location: Bannockburn, Central Otago
Ceremony: Beside Nevis Road, on Carrick Station
Reception: Tannacrieff Port Wines, Bannockburn
Celebrant: Abby France
Photographer: Victoria Rose Visuals
Videographer: Ray Tiddy Photography
Bride’s Dress: Astra Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Billy J Boutique
Engagement Ring: Jewellery By Idour
Bride’s Bracelet & Earrings: Brent Weatherall Jeweller
Bride’s Necklace: Objects of Art
Shoes: Mi Piaci and Ariat cowboy boots
Makeup: Loren Russell Makeup Artist
Hair: Hanna Kearney Hairdressing and Aimee Jade Hair Artistry
Flower Arrangements: Liv Kerr, the matron of honour
Catering: Shelley Ensor
Cake: Lavish Treats
Favours: Tannacrieff Port
Dance Floor: Made out of ply and pellets by Marc’s father, Nick
Honeymoon: Road trip from Waikouaiti to Kaikōura, Picton, Nelson and the West Coast
Living: Jess in Waikouaiti and Marc in Invercargill
Have you recently tied the knot in provincial Aotearoa New Zealand? Do you want to see your special day featured in the pages of Shepherdess? We love a beautiful, rural wedding - and so do our readers. Romantic, adventurous, rustic, or traditional, we want to hear from you!
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This story appeared in the Ngahuru Autumn Edition 2026 of Shepherdess.
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