Warwick rodeo queen Jessie Nott proving there’s nothing women can’t do

From dominating on horseback to working as a mechanical fitter, a southwest Queensland woman is proving there’s nothing women can’t do. See her inspiring story here.

Jessie Nott, 2023 Warwick Rodeo Queen, on Lena the Australian stock horse, at the media launch for the Ariat 2024 at Warwick Rodeo & Pryde's EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft, Warwick Rodeo. Photo: Steve Pohlner.

 

When she’s not wearing her Rodeo Queen crown and sash, a southwest Queensland woman is kicking stereotypes, swapping a career as a vet nurse for a trade in the resources industry and going on to represent her region on the international stage.

While 29-year-old Jessie Nott no longer lives in her country hometown of Warwick, her passion and dedication to the world of equine sports saw her crowned as the 2023 Warwick Rodeo Queen.

It’s a title she’s soon to pass on to the next generation at the 2024 Ariat Warwick Rodeo & Pryde’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft in October.

Ms Nott is succeeding in not only what’s historically been considered a male dominant sport, as she also spends her time outside of rodeos working as a mechanical fitter on a gas field in the Western Downs.

Having devoted the better part of 15 years to barrel racing, a women’s specific rodeo event, Ms Nott said the number of women moving into leadership positions within the sport has increased.

2023 Warwick Rodeo Queen Jessie Nott, a mechanical fitter, is proving there’s a place for women in rodeo events. Photo: Steve Pohlner

“There’s definitely more women involved, especially your board members and higher ups, there’s definitely more women involved in those roles,” she said.

“There’s more and more equine sports that will have a ladies category where it’s just women competing against women which is great because it levels the playing field.”

Ms Nott said she became infatuated with the rodeo scene after volunteering with the Warwick Show & Rodeo Society as an arena sweeper for the campdraft a few years ago and has continued to return each year since.

It was also her involvement in the Queen Quest at a junior cowgirl level that sparked her dream to one day be crowned Rodeo Queen and led her to represent Warwick at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo in the US.

“It’s something I always wanted to do and I’m glad I went through with it, and I think it was a good step up for me,” she said.

“I’m currently a sponsorships co-ordinator with a small barrel racing association around the Western Downs and so I think that Warwick was the next ambassador role up from that to sort of challenge myself and put myself out there.”

During her time as rodeo queen Ms Nott had the opportunity to visit a number of schools in Warwick to speak with students about the true meaning of rodeo, encouraged by the number of young people who had their own stories to tell.

Jessie Nott, 2023 Warwick Rodeo Queen, on Lena the Australian stock horse. Photo: Steve Pohlner

For any young women inspired to follow in Ms Nott’s footsteps, seizing the opportunity is a good place to start.

“I’ve always said say yes to every opportunity, you don’t want to regret and always try and stay as approachable as possible,” she said.

Ms Nott said the valiant efforts of the Rodeo Queen committee each year has been what’s kept the Warwick Rodeo Queen Quest alive and thriving in the community.

The 2024 Ariat Warwick Rodeo & Pryde’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft will be held at the Warwick Showgrounds from October 21-27.

Campdrafting events will start on the 21st and rodeo events from the 24th, with the prestigious Gold Cup Campdraft to be held over the weekend of October 26-27.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Warwick rodeo queen Jessie Nott proving there’s nothing women can’t do