Elizabeth Breen Booth
June 25, 1959 – October 29, 2020
Elizabeth (Liz) Booth, 61, of Montpelier, Virginia passed away on October 29, 2020. She was born on June 25, 1959 to John and Josephine Breen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Liz graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 1977, and Pennsylvania State University in 1982. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, James Booth, and their daughter Taylor as well as her beloved dogs Bailey, Wink, and Joey (as well as 160 other four-hooved friends).
Though born and raised in Philadelphia, Liz made a home and life in Virginia for the better part of 40 years — though her network of friends and business acquaintances spans the globe. She was the founder of Virginia Sport Horses which she grew from a small rescue operation to one of the largest suppliers of sport horses on the east coast, with clients ranging from mounted police forces, fox hunting clubs, families, and everyone in between. Liz lived and breathed the horse industry and was never happier than when roaming around “Roads End Farm” talking horses with a new customer-friend and her three dogs trailing behind her.
Anyone lucky enough to know Liz knew time with her was sure to produce a great memory, or least a unique one, and that they’d likely come away with a truly funny story. Liz was known for her grit and having no fear working hard to expand her business, taking on difficult horses or even rescuing foals in Saskatchewan, Canada. Liz welcomed life with open arms and an open heart. There wasn’t a visitor, business partner, customer, neighbor or stray animal that she wouldn’t welcome with open arms. Our family, the Virginia Sport Horses family and many others will miss the passion, zest for life and love Liz brought to our worlds.
A memorial service and reception will be held on November 14, 2020, at Noon at Belfast Farm, 15656 Jefferson Highway, Bumpass, VA 23024. The family is mindful of the Covid-19 pandemic and the event will adhere to the most recent guidance from the Virginia Department of Health regarding gatherings and food service. The service will be offered in an open-air setting, masks will be provided, and sanitization stations will be available throughout the property.
For out of town guests the family has made an arrangement with Fairfield Inn in Ashland, Virginia under the reference “Liz Booth”. Please contact the hotel directly at (804) 412-4800 for reservations.
I was off the grid for several weeks and the moment I got connected, this devastating news broke me. This is unthinkable. My heart reaches out to her daughter and husband plus everyone who respected and loved Liz. She was a champion for safe and sound horses and for educated horsemanship. I could almost write a book about the ways I admire(d) Liz, her philosophies, methods, ethics, and mastery of all matters of equestrian life. I’ll refrain from pouring my emotions out here, but let me say, if Heaven has horses and dogs she’ll be okay there, blessed be. We all owe her so many kinds of thanks.
Thoughts and prayers for family , friends and all her animals..
Last message Liz left me was to come up to visit any time I could. I am so broken-hearted. She so loved each and every one of her horses. I am so thankful that she included me into her world. No words to describe this loss. I loved you Liz and will see you again.
A wonderful lady. So many things come to mind but the sum of it all is she was a wonderful lady.
Jamie and Taylor. We are so sorry to here of Liz passing. Lean in on each other and others the best you can. Take care of yourselves.. Love and prayers. Alan, Sara and Ben
Bless you Liz. Your presence will be missed.
Although I was never fortunate enough to get one of her horses due to my special needs, Liz always took time to discuss her possibilities with me and to encourage me in my search. She was so very kind. She will be missed so much. May you Rest In Peace .
We are so sorry for your loss. Liz had an amazing talent for breeding and marketing wonderful horses. She will be deeply missed in the horse wotld!
I am so sorry, I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting Liz yet. Prayers and comforting thoughts from Montana
Forty plus years as Liz’s friend was too short. She was charmingly eccentric: Liz’s approach to life was always entertaining, consistently inspired, and frequently inspiring. Liz’s warmth towards other people, and animals of all types, shone through from the first time you met her. I, and many others, will miss her tremendously. Condolences to family and friends.
Jamie and Taylor, my sincerest condolences to you on the untimely passing of Liz. I share the trauma of the loss with you as I have with the demise of my Son Michael, God bless them both.
I’ve known Liz for what feels like forever. I was talking to her two days prior. I’m just unbelievably shocked Because she was so young at heart and so lively. What a huge loss. My love & sympathy To her family as well as all the friends who loved her.
Just wanted to say liz was a hard working lady my husband Richard Thomas work for her I was at the farm all the time and did work for her also .my daughter Salone loved Ms. LIZ SO MUCH (she .my daughter loves horses so much just has well has all animals) so she loved to be at the farm with Ms.Liz .Ms.liz would let her ride the horses and take her out in the field her and Joey in the little jeep.My daughter will never forget that she cried when we found out that she had passed.Great women and we will never forget our time we shared with her there on her farm.Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family .
Jamie and Taylor, I’m so very sorry to hear about Liz! My heart is broken for you both!
I am so sad for the loss of Liz. So sorry for Jamie, Taylor and also Maureen and Kathy. May God comfort you through this difficult time. Liz was a sweet, caring person!! I am truly so sorry!
Jamie and Taylor, we are so sorry for your loss. We are all sending love your way. Gus, Trina, and Avonlea
Our deepest sympathies in the untimely passing of Liz. Words cannot express how sorry we are. Such a huge loss to family and friends and in the horse world.
You are forever in our prayers.
Liz was a good friend through college days and onward. She invited us many times to her farm and we watched it grow under her care and guidance. She really loved her family and those horses. God bless Jamie and Taylor and the whole family.
Jamie and Taylor, I was shocked to hear the news about Liz. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Maureen and Kathie, losing a sibling is losing a piece of you, as I know all too well. Take comfort in knowing Betty Anne is not alone – your Mom and Dad had open arms to welcome her in her new journey. My love to you all.
Liz was very proud of her daughter becoming a law school grad and taking the bar. She told me this proudly on the phone , as well as speaking of many wonderful stories about the horses. I never met her face to face, but we appreciated many of the same things in life. I sincerely hope that the two Jaguar foals that are coming into this world will be well loved and cared for, because they will both have a bit of her spark with them since she helped to make them happen. I am very sorry to the family who had to lose her so soon — she will always be with them all though, in spirit. The love never dies,
Liz was an old college buddy, and the good times we had are now fuzzy in my memory some 40 years later, but what’s not fuzzy is remembering how kind and genuine she was. While traveling to Virginia Beach some years ago she put me and my daughters up for a few days and took us horseback riding… where I promptly fell off during a gallop. Ah, memories. I can still see her laughing. She was taken too soon and will be missed. To her family: I’m sorry for your loss and sorry I couldn’t say goodbye. RIP buddy.
Oh my, I decided to look up Liz since I am casualty searching for my next horse. To say I am stunned would be an understatement. I met her in 2007 when I came to the farm to see a magnificent bomb proof Percheron she was showing at an open house. She was so nice to me as a young military member looking for the perfect horse. Someone else got him and I was so disappointed. I never forgot that wonderful horse or how she treated me as a disappointed novice horse enthusiast. She encouraged me to continue my search and I did. I am so incredibly sorry for her loss. I am stunned and I am heartbroken for everyone who loved her, and respected her. I found her to be straightforward and genuine. My sincerest condolences and prayers for anyone whose life was touched by her.
RIP
Sure do miss you