Joan Archibald

Born and raised in Montréal Joan Archibald won multiple provincial and national titles in fencing. As a member of the Canadian national team Archibald was selected to compete in the individual foil tournament at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. After the Olympics she studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, becoming an accomplished violinist and going on to perform with the Montréal Symphony Orchestra. In 1939 Archibald married the British-Canadian sportsman John Riddell, who had competed for Great Britain in the ice hockey exhibition matches at the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics.

Archibald expanded her interests into equestrianism, becoming an accomplished rider and a judge for the Canadian Equestrian Federation. She was also a successful equine breeder, with several champion horses coming from her stables. Together with her husband she was a keen sailor, making many trips across the English Channel on her catamaran and sailing around the waters of Nova Scotia. Archibald’s sister Nancy also competed for Canada as a fencer.