Lorna Johnstone

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameHilda Lorna•Johnstone (Wailes-Fairbairn-)
Used nameLorna•Johnstone
Born4 September 1902 in York, England (GBR)
Died18 May 1990 in Malvern, England (GBR)
Measurements162 cm / 66 kg
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Lorna Johnstone was born into a wealthy family, her grandfather founded an engineering company in Yorkshire and later became a member of parliament, and was brought up around horses as the family were strongly involved in foxhunting with the York and Ainsty Hunt. Thirteen times a national champion in dressage she would have been in consideration for a place at the Olympics at both London and Helsinki if women had been allowed to take part. Johnstone is the oldest female competitor ever at the Olympic Games, having turned 70 years old only three days before she competed in dressage at the 1972 Olympic Games. She is also the second oldest female competitor ever, having been 66 years old when she competed in 1968. Johnstone also competed in 1956, but was not the oldest female competitor in Stockholm, that being her dressage teammate Lilian Williams, who was 61 years old in 1956. She competed in dressage until past her eightieth birthday and was of the inaugural inductees of the Royal Horse Society Hall of Fame.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Equestrian Olympics Equestrian Dressage (Equestrian) GBR Lorna Johnstone
Individual, Open (Olympic) Rosie Dream 21
1968 Summer Olympics Equestrian Dressage (Equestrian) GBR Lorna Johnstone
Individual, Open (Olympic) El Guapo 13
Team, Open (Olympic) El Guapo / Great Britain 5
1972 Summer Olympics Equestrian Dressage (Equestrian) GBR Lorna Johnstone
Individual, Open (Olympic) El Farruco 12
Team, Open (Olympic) El Farruco / Great Britain 10

Errata

Date of birth earlier listed as 9 June 1902.