DOROTHY Guilford, who died unexpectedly on January 25th in her 90th year, was a force of nature much mourned at the time of her passing by her family and close friends while now her absence is being keenly felt in the wider equestrian world.

Here we are mainly talking about the Irish Pony Society and Irish Pony Club circuits but Dorothy’s interests extended to racing, eventing, hunting and showing in general (she judged on both sides of the Irish Sea). Her contribution to equestrianism was recognised when she was presented with a National Hall of Fame award in 2016 and a Dublin Horse Show award two years later.