On International Women’s Day We’re Celebrating Tess’ Story

Date: 7 March 2017

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re sharing Tess’ story. An inspirational woman, Tess has experienced an exciting and illustrious equestrian career.

Tess Bishop’s Story (nee Sullivan)

Tess was born in Bathurst in 1935. Her parents were accomplished horse riders and her love of horses began at a very young age. By the time she was five, she had won her first riding class.

Leaving school at 13 years old to pursue a show jumping career, Tess travelled NSW and Victoria with a team of 12 horses.

She loved cross country events and Polocrosse, and was a respected and well-known back handed goal thrower and valued member of the Penrith Polocrosse team.

Tess moved to Sydney and resided in a stable at Rosehill Racecourse. She was issued by NSW Racing to be the first licenced female Strapper and track work rider in the Sydney and Metropolitan area. She was highly regarded and well respected within a male dominated industry. It was at Rosehill that she met her husband, Jockey Gordon Bishop.

They moved to Toowoomba in Queensland where they purchased land alongside Clifford Park Racecourse and established 40 racing stables. Working for well-known trainer Jim Atkins, Tess strapped horses for the Melbourne Cup, Victorian Derby and Victorian Oaks.

She was given special permission to ride track work and strap horses on the Flemington Racecourse and was noticed for her impressive ability.

At just 38 years old, sadly Tess’ riding career ended abruptly when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, just before her first country race ride and possibly becoming the first female Australian jockey.

Tess defied the odds and survived emergency neurosurgery in Brisbane. She had to learn to walk and talk again. Their beautiful daughter Lisa was just 18 months old at the time.

Despite that her dream of being a jockey wasn’t realised, this inspirational and successful woman never lost her passion, skill, ability and love of horses. Her exciting and extraordinary life with horses is commendable and admirable and still very close to her heart.

Tess now lives at Whiddon Kyogle and loves watching her grandson Lawson grow up.

We think Tess is an incredible woman and an inspiration to many.