Emma Pritchard

It was all about the purple bridles and saddlecloths, purple ribbons meticulously braided into manes and tails, and purple shirts, jackets, and breeches on November 2 and 3, when local sports club Valley and Rivers Showjumping hosted their annual Jacaranda Weekend of Showjumping at the Grafton Showground.

While several jacaranda trees heavily laden with lilac blossoms surrounding the main arena created a picturesque setting, close to 40 riders and their mounts from Brisbane to Port Macquarie journeyed to the Clarence Valley to participate in the two-day event which featured 120 rounds of showjumping and also included a training session.

Secretary of Valley and Rivers Showjumping Louise Light said everyone embraced the spirit of the occasion, with some riders painting jacaranda trees and purple decorations onto the hindquarters of their horses and ponies.

“Even with a monopoly of other showjumping events happening this weekend, we still attracted a really good number of entrants,” she said.

“It’s an event unlike any other, and of course we can only host it during this time of the year when the jacaranda trees are flowering.

“They set a really spectacular scene all around the showground.”

First held in 2021, the Jacaranda Weekend of Showjumping has quickly established a loyal following and is a popular sporting event during the Grafton Jacaranda Festival.

The Jacaranda Weekend of Showjumping concluded the 2024 calendar of events for the local sports club.

Valley and Rivers Showjumping will host their January Weekend of Showjumping early in the New Year on January 11 and 12.