HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to an Irish mother-of-three who tragically was found dead in New Zealand after she disappeared while out horse-riding.

Ingrid Louise De Hoedt (54), disappeared on New Year's Day after going out on a horse in the rural forested area of Karaka in South Auckland.

According to the 'New Zealand Herald', her concerned family members reported her missing at 3.50pm and a search was undertaken.

Tragically, a search and rescue team recovered her body at 8.10pm and her death has now been referred to the Coroner.

Police believe that the mother of three died in a horse-riding incident.

A death notice posted in the 'New Zealand Herald' by her devastated family said she was "loved so much'' and would be "sorely missed", the notice referred to Dr De Hoedt "doing what she loved'' at the time of the accident.

Dr De Hoedt, who was originally from Tirkeenan, Co Monaghan, attended Our Lady's Bower School, went on to Trinity College Dublin in the 1980s where she studied medicine and graduated in 1988. She later settled in New Zealand and only in August, attended the 30-year college reunion where former classmates described her in touching online tributes as "the life and soul of the party".

The beloved wife of Ross, Ingrid was the mother of Tadhg, Ciannait and Fionn, a sister to Rosemary and the late David. She was described by family and friends as being larger than life, very witty, highly intelligent, loving and compassionate to all.

Dr De Hoedt loved Connemara ponies and trekking during her life. She was involved with the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, attended Clifden each year and was a New Zealand representative on the International Committee of Connemara Pony Societies.

A notice under her name on www.RIP.ie said: "A Funeral Service will be held at Morrisons Funeral Directors, 220 Universal Drive, Henderson, Aukland at 12.30pm on 9th January, (the time in Ireland will be 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 8th January), messages and flowers via Elizabeth McGuinness at lynsterhouse@gmail.com

The notice also posted that a Memorial Service will be held in Co Monaghan in April 2019

TRIBUTES

Her friends have paid touching online tributes in the wake of the tragedy.

"You blazed like a comet through our world and brightened every life you touched," one friend said.

"Ingrid had a powerful personality and a sense of fun that made her a much loved and appreciated member of our medical year at TCD," said another.

"We shared a Cavan/ Monaghan connection as well and I so enjoyed catching up with her at our recent reunion - her enthusiasm for the whole event was infectious and I was impressed by how much she had experienced and achieved since the day we tossed those mortar boards into the air from the steps at Trinity," wrote a friend.

An online Book of Condolences has been opened by Morrisons Funeral Directors