A former eventer and point-to-point jockey who hunted into her 80s celebrated her 100th birthday with parties, a card from The King – and a ride on a “lovely” mare.
Elizabeth Breton’s centenary came on 31 December and she told H&H she had been hoping to have a canter on her regular ride Lily.
“I had a splendid ride on my birthday,” she said.
“We went up the middle of the village. We can get on to the Downs but I only ride for about 50 minutes now. I wanted to have a canter but my horse had been out of work and my ‘minder’ for the day said we could only trot. I got a lovely card from The King, with a nice message that just touched the right note, and I’ve got it sitting on my table.”
“I rode today,” she said on Thursday (9 January). “We couldn’t go on the Downs as it was too frozen so we went on the road, which wasn’t as nice; most people are very sensible but I think about one in four drivers hasn’t got a clue about horses. So it was peppered with dodgy incidents but we got back safely.”
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Mrs Breton said she was not entirely sure whether or not she will keep riding but her carer Esha told H&H: “After three parties last week, she was exhausted and I said I didn’t think she’d be able to ride but she said no, she wanted to. And today, we were told by the stables that it was too cold and frozen and they didn’t think she should ride, but she said ‘No, I’m going’. So I don’t think she will stop!”
Esha said she thinks the horses and riding have contributed to Mrs Breton’s longevity.
“And the Alexander Technique, which she had every week, lots of activities – and a bit of whisky every evening!” she said, with which Mrs Breton agreed.
“I’m sitting here by my lovely fire and I’m not sure what I think, but I do enjoy riding,” she said. “It’s good fun and I’m friends with all the people there. So I shall probably carry on.”
To read an interview with Elizabeth Breton, see this week’s H&H, out 9 January.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
