Elizabeth Breton, a 100-year-old woman from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has been riding horses since she was two years old, with a 30-year break in between due to personal tragedies involving her horses. She returned to riding in her 70s and has been riding competitively for many years. Despite her age, she still rides twice a week and feels a strong connection to horses, stating that it is in her DNA.
Growing up near Lincoln on a rural property with a stable yard, Breton was able to ride competently by the age of six. She recalls her father putting her on a pony before she could even walk. She has fond memories of riding Snowflake and credits her early riding experiences to the social norms of the early 20th century, where riding and hunting were essential for social life.
Breton’s passion for riding has remained strong throughout her life, even after the tragedies she faced with her horses. She returned to riding when her son invited her to ride his horse, and she has continued to ride into her 100s. While she no longer competes, she still enjoys riding around the village of Stanton twice a week, feeling that it keeps her “up together” and not worn out, as she believes riding is a part of who she is.
