Rachel Watts named as Swan Bay crash victim as family, friends, colleagues pay tribute

Rachel Watts was set to influence future equine lovers at the Geelong college she graduated from and put down roots on the Bellarine before she was killed in a horror collision.

The victim of a fatal crash at Swan Bay on Sunday has been named, with loved ones devastated by the loss of a “loyal friend” and stalwart of the Australian Equestrian Team.

Portarlington resident Rachel Watts, 35, died at the scene of the fatal crash.

Rachel Watts. Pictures: Supplied/Shane Rose

Geelong surgeon Associate Professor Xiao Bo Zhang was charged with dangerous driving causing death following the crash, which also saw three other people hospitalised.

Ms Watts, who had worked extensively as a groom, had recently relocated to the region to work at Marcus Oldham College at Waurn Ponds after nearly 15 years travelling the world working for top equestrians.

Ms Watts, originally from Kyneton, is survived by her two sisters and her parents.

Rachel’s mother, Sue Watts, said her daughter had been passionate about horse riding since she was a young girl.

“Her first day of pony club she woke up so early we had to send her back to bed,” she said.

Mrs Watts said she had been inundated with messages of condolence from all over the world, as news spread of her daughter’s death.

“We’ve had phone calls from England today, people I have never met,” she said.

Rachel’s father, Geoff Watts, said his daughter had a terrific work ethic.

“She was the best at what she did … she was determined to learn everything about horses,” he said.

Ms Watts’s sister, Emily, said she would always remember a safari trip with her sister.

The family said they were keen to see justice done.

Marcus Oldham College principal Andrew Baker said the college and community were devastated by the tragic and untimely passing of their much loved and respected colleague and alumnus.

Rachel graduated from Marcus Oldham College in 2005 and this year returned as an Associate Lecturer in its equine management course.

“Rachel enjoyed a stunning career in the equine and equestrian worlds – not just in Australia, but internationally,” he said.

“She was a formidable talent in her field, but a warm, kind and wonderfully humble person in life.

“Her students loved her. Her colleagues both adored and were inspired by her.

“Her passing is a very deep loss not just to our college, but to the international equine and equestrian worlds.”

Mr Baker said Ms Watts said she would be sadly missed, and remembered, by many.

St Leonards-based trainer and veterinarian Nick Roe mentored Ms Watts, and in the mid 2000s she worked for him at Gnarwarre.

“She’s been a good friend since then,” Mr Roe said.

He described Ms Watts as a very loyal friend, hardworking, always ready to help anyone and “absolutely passionate about horses”.

Mr Roe said Ms Watts had been living with her family on the Bellarine Peninsula and scouting areas to buy property in the region.

Rachel Watts.

He had seen her just last week and described the news of her death as a huge shock and “just devastating”.

“As a worker she was the best and as a friend she was the best,” Mr Roe said.

Ms Watts won the 2017 Equestrian Australia groom of the year award.

Upon receiving the award, she said: “I’m very passionate, I love to be involved in the sport at the highest level.”

In a moving tribute, the Australian Equestrian team said there had been an outpouring of grief among those involved in the sport.

“Rachel’s career was built on her undeniable passion for horses and her adventurous spirit, which saw her seize every opportunity that came her way, taking her across the globe to the world stage,” the team said.

Two-time Olympic medallist Shane Rose, whose horses were groomed by Ms Watts at the Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo Olympics, said “her successes are my successes”.

“She’s had it all snatched away from her.”

Originally published as Rachel Watts named as Swan Bay crash victim as family, friends, colleagues pay tribute