RACHEL HOOD WATTS

The young girl who proved that buck jumping was not just a man’s domain.

While many people may have heard of Proserpine’s Billy Waite - World Class Buck Jump Rider - just how many would be aware of the feats of a young Rachel Hood Watts who could also lay claim to taming a wild, bucking horse?

Inspired with all the fire and vigour of youth, this brave young girl accomplished what was, in the late 1930s/early 1940s, a rare achievement – becoming one of Australia’s most outstanding equestrians. Her steadfast determination and supreme confidence, combined with her kind and gentle love of horses enabled her to conquer the most daring and perilous tasks.

At the age of only sixteen, she made her courageous debut in public when she entered the arena of a travelling buck jumping show to mount North Queensland’s notorious outlaw, “The Devil”. In spite of the horse’s mad fury and outrageous buck jumping, when the bell rang, Rachel was still on top of the horse. Quietly smiling, she leapt off, leaving that remarkable success indelibly imprinted on the audience “who with praise and admiration witnessed the scene.” (“Proserpine Guardian” February 28 1942.)

Again, at the local rodeo, competing against some of Australia’s best horsemen, she displayed her ability gained in cattle camps when she won the open camp draft against all comers. All who were fortunate to see her ride recognised her as a champion.

Rachel had little desire of pompous prominence. Her interests were centred in the wide-open spaces with her horses and dogs and the freedom of the bush. From earliest childhood, she was her father’s constant companion. She rode with him across the plains, over the mountains and through the scrub, working cattle and sleeping by a campfire under the canopy of stars.

The baby of the family, Rachel was her father’s idol; her mother’s joy and the pride of her family. So, when, after a short illness, she died in the Proserpine Hospital on February 4 1942, one month short of her 18th birthday, the family was grief stricken.

Rachel is buried in the Proserpine Cemetery and her cause of death is recorded as erysipelas – a type of skin infection which today would be easily treated. Fittingly, her headstone bears the image of a horse.

In the report of her death in the “Proserpine Guardian” Saturday 28 February 1942, (an extract from which appears below), Rachel Hood Watts was described in glowing terms. Her passing was keenly felt by many.

A Noted Horse Woman

RACHEL HOOD WATTS.

As the storm broke, the rain fell, and day darkened, there passed from this world one of the brightest and happiest souls, Rachel Hood Watts, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Watts, Andromache River, Proserpine. In nature's own garden she grew just like a sweet wild flower, with petals only half unfurled, revealing the beauty and splendour within, too rare and precious to wither and fade on this earth - that flower has been plucked away, but its fragrance will linger forever.

Inspired with all thefire and vigour of youth, this brave young girl accomplished a rarely feminineachievement - one of Australia's most outstanding horse women. Her kind heart,steadfast determination and supreme confidence enabled her to conquer the mostdaring and perilous tasks.

Alas! No more will their hearts fill with proud exultation at the greatness of her earthly fame but the deep avalanche of sadness, left there will forever remain. Until they all meet, again at the "Last Great Round-up in the Skies."

Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum

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