Emma Pritchard

There was no horsing around at the Grafton Showground on the weekend when Valley and Rivers Showjumping hosted their Spring Show, but there was plenty of enthusiasm and comradery as close to 60 riders and their mounts demonstrated their elite talent across the two-day program.

With clear skies and an abundance of sunshine, event organisers were ecstatic the Spring Show was finally able to proceed after the Covid-19 pandemic and wet weather forced its cancellation and postponement on several previous occasions.

“It was great to see some good weather at last so the event could go ahead,” said Valley and Rivers Showjumping Secretary Louise Light.

“I was very pleased with the number of entrants we received, and everyone enjoyed themselves in the rings.

“We had over 350 rounds of showjumping, which was great. 

“I’m just so relieved that it all came together.”

Sienna Taylor, 13, from Corindi, competed in the 80cm and 90cm classes on her mount MJK Prince Of Thieves over the weekend, and said she had been looking forward to the Spring Show for a long time.

The talented teenager has been taking lessons with Ms Light for the past seven years and hopes her love of showjumping and dedication to the sport will one day enable her to compete in the Olympics.

“That’s what I’d like to do,” she said.

Sienna told the Clarence Valley Independent she was very excited to compete on the weekend and was relieved the weather remained clear and dry during the competition after recent rain limited her riding opportunities.

Ms Light confirmed Valley and Rivers Showjumping will host another training day within the next two months and thanked all the riders and sponsors including McGregor Gourlay of Grafton, Thoroughbred Horse Sport Association, Clarence Earthmoving and Coffs Harbour Horseland for their ongoing support.