It is with the greatest sadness Marcus Oldham College shares the news of the death of Rachel Watts DipHBM’05 and Associate Lecturer in Equine Management.
Rachel’s gentle nature, knowledge and understanding of horses, and genuine engagement with all staff and students at Marcus Oldham College will be sorely missed.
Having grown up with horses at her family farm at Kyneton, Rachel found the Equine Management course a good fit and after graduating, worked for course Director, Nick Roe.
Rachel used her skills to work in the UK as Travelling Groom and Yard Manager for Chris Burton, but much of her working life was spent with Shane Rose at Bimbadeen Park as Head Groom.
In recognition of her dedication and attention to detail Rachel received the 2017 Equestrian Australia Groom of the Year award. Her role with Olympiad, Shane Rose, brought great success with a bronze medal in Team Eventing at the Rio Olympic Games then a silver medal for the Australian Equestrian Team in Tokyo. At the time Rachel said, “This one is the best one yet.”
Rachel joined the lecturing staff in January this year and was a perfect fit. Staff and students are all the better for knowing this equally high achieving and humble colleague and mentor.
Out thoughts are with Rachel’s family.
