An accomplished rider from Narrandera, New South Wales, Emilie Roach competed at agricultural shows and equestrian events across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland during four decades of competition, from 1910 to her retirement in 1955.
Roach's family were strong supporters of the Narrandera Show, and Emilie entered her first show-ring competition there at the age of 10.
In 1914 Roach competed as a novice in the hurdles contest at the Sydney Royal Show. She continued to compete there every year until her retirement. She was highly respected and, according to family friend Alan Chittick, ‘always immaculately dressed, and with the same immaculate manners, whether winning or losing’.
In 1925 Roach married Jack Burton, who made several record-breaking drives in motor vehicles across Australia during the 1910s and 1920s. The couple lived in Sydney for many years and travelled from there, often by train, to agricultural shows across eastern Australia.
Show-ring jumping
![A black and white photograph of Emily Roach on mount 'Dungog' executing a jump. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/553550/MA44122005-Emilie-Roach-1200h.jpg)
During the early 20th century, show-ring jumping contests emerged as a feature of agricultural shows across Australia.
Owners and trainers developed teams of jumpers, and hired a stable of riders, travelling through the season to compete across hunting courses, hurdles, high jumps and water jumps.
Jumping contests reached the height of their popularity during the 1920s and 30s, as increased prize money enabled owners and riders to earn a living from the sport.
Alan Chittick, in his book High Wide and Handsome, stated that 'the show-ring jumpers had a tremendous public following, mainly because the stars of the sport went to the public and appeared in every little town in eastern Australia as they travelled the show circuit'.
Most competitions were halted during the Second World War, and many were not subsequently revived. Instead, showjumping contests using European-style obstacles grew in popularity.
![The photograph depicts the head and neck of the horse 'Dungog' wearing a prize ribbon around its neck. The text visible on this ribbon is as follows 'SYDNEY. N.S.W. 19- / OSRAM OPEN HIGH JUMP'. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/553551/MA44122521-Dungog-1200h.jpg)
Roach and Dungog's records
Throughout her career, Emilie Roach rode almost exclusively for Narrandera locals Bob Chittick and Will Weir, forming partnerships with their most successful horses.
Roach was reputedly the first female rider to record a show-ring jump over seven feet (2.13 metres), riding Weir’s horse Musician in 1920.
She dominated show-ring jumping contests during the late 1920s and early 1930s riding Bob Chittick’s horse, Dungog.
In 1927 Roach and Dungog set a new Sydney showground record of 7 feet during the Royal Spring Fair.
In 1929 they set a new Australian record of 7 feet, 2 inches (2.18 metres) at Newcastle. They also broke their Sydney showground record at the Royal Easter Show in April 1929, with a jump of 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 metres).
Later that day, Bob Chittick rode Dungog to set a world men’s ‘under lights’ record of 7 feet 6 inches (2.31 metres). Roach and Dungog continued their record setting run, travelling to Brisbane to set a new record there of 6 feet 11 inches (2.1 metres).
Will Weir’s Lady Radium, a chestnut mare with a baldy face and four white feet, was another of Roach’s favourite horses. Roach and Lady Radium had many successes throughout the 1920s and won every event they contested at the 1930 Sydney Royal Show.
In 1929 Roach and Lady Radium won the hunting contest at the Sydney Royal Show, after which the judge commented that Roach was the finest horsewoman he had ever seen.
Prized possessions
![Fifteen Royal Agricultural Society Member Badges dated from 1925 to 1938 and 1940, and a Packard key ring, attached to a metal link chain. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/565505/MA44203306-badges-bracelet-1200h.jpg)
![A black velvet horse riding helmet worn by Emilie Roach (front and back view). - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/565506/MA44787976-riding-helmet-1200w.jpg)
![A large silver plate presentation trophy cup. The cup features a roughly square shaped base with scalloped edges tapering up into a square cross section at the immediate bottom of the cup. This area then tapers out into the tall, roughly cylindrical shaped bowl of the cup. The lip of the cup is scalloped featuring decorative ridges around its circumference. Two long decorative handles run either side of the cup down most of its length. Engraved on a central panel of the bowl of the cup is the text 'ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY / FARMER & CO. / EQUESTRIENNE CONTEST / Won by E. ROACH, / 1929 / 'LADY RADIUM'. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/565507/MA44681683-trophy-1200h.jpg)
![A blue and white badge with the words: 'Narrandera Pastoral & Agricultural Association Life Member'. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/565508/MA22913639-badge-1200w.jpg)
![A red and gold oval badge with the words: 'Royal Agric. Soc. N.SW.' around the edge and 'Member 1914' in the middle. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/565509/MA22913659-badge-1200h.jpg)
![A red and gold oval badge with the words: 'Royal Agric. Soc. N.SW. Lady's Badge' around the edge and '1947' in the middle. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/565510/MA22914109-badge-1200w.jpg)
![A red prize ribbon with yellow words: 'Granville Show, 1942.' - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/565511/MA23299663-ribbon-1200w.jpg)
![A blue prize ribbon with yellow words: Granville Show - 1952.First place ribbon won by Emilie Roach at the Granville Show, 1952. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/565512/MA23299963-ribbon-1200w.jpg)
![A rectangular certificate that is cream in colour with gold decorations and blue and black text. In the centre, top of the certificate is the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria badge, appearing as a fastened belt beneath a crown. Around the length of the belt is the text](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/565513/MA42797571-certificate-1200w.jpg)
![The first prize certificate from The Equestrian Federation of Australia (New South Wales branch) awarded to 'Miss E. Roach' at the Intermediate Horse Show on 25 October 1952 in the 'Riding teams -- 4 ladies and/or 2 ladies & 2 gentlemen, 17 yrs./or over' exhibit. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/565514/MA42800802-certificate-1200w.jpg)
![The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Certificate for the 'Grand Easter Day & Night Exhibition, 9th-19th April, 1949' awarded to 'Miss E. Roach' in 'The](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/565515/MA42798932-certificate-1200w.jpg)
![A gold coloured metal medal from the Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W Royal Spring Fair of 1927. The main section of the medal is circular in shape with an oblong addition at the top that has a small circular hole in the centre. A metal ring is attached through the hole. The medal features a relief picture of a figure, possibly a muse of agriculture standing atop a pedestal amongst four smaller figures bearing symbols of agriculture such as a sheaf of wheat and livestock. Embossed around the circumference of the medal is block text that reads 'ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES'. On the other side of the medal within a relief of a laurel wreath are the engraved markings 'ROYAL / SPRING FAIR / 1927 / Awarded to / MISS E. ROACH / Rider of DUNGOG / Showground Record / LADIES HIGH JUMP / 7 FT'. Laurel branches feature on both sides of the oblong section at the top of the medal. The medal is attached by its ring to the medal box. - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/565516/MA44201860-MA44203575-medal-comb-1200w.jpg)
![A circular gold coloured metal medal, featuring a relief picture of a figure, possibly a muse of agriculture standing atop a pedestal amongst four smaller figures bearing symbols of agriculture such as wheat sheaf and livestock. Embossed around the circumference of the medal is text that reads 'ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES', and at the bottom are the manufacturers marks 'AMOR SYDNEY'. On the other side of the medal is embossed block text that reads 'PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE' around the top edge. Within a relief laurel wreath are the engraved markings 'ROYAL / EASTER SHOW / SYDNEY 1929 / Awarded to / MISS E. ROACH. / Rider of 'DUNGOG' / SYDNEY SHOWGROUND / RECORD / LADIES HIGH JUMP. / 7FT.1IN.' - click to view larger image](https://www.nma.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/565519/nma-43949086-05-comb.jpg)
In our collection