FOR a woman who devoted much of her life to the horse and hunt tradition, there could be no final farewell more fitting.

Leading members of South Durham Hunt paraded to All Saints Church, Great Stainton, in County Durham, yesterday in memory of Madeleine Barron Irvine.

Acting hunt master John Littlefair carried Mrs Barron Irvine's ashes to the churchyard, for burial alongside her late husband, before huntsman Simon Dobinson sounded Gone Away on the horn.

Mrs Barron Irvine first rode a horse when she was just a day old, on the bridge of her father's saddle, and went on to become one of the country's most accomplished and highly-qualified horsewomen.

Originally from Suffolk, she moved to the North-East in the 1940s with her husband Colonel John Barron Irvine, an officer with Durham Light Infantry. He rode the Durham country with cousin, former Hunt Master Eric Wilson, before the Second World War, and the couple remained lifelong supporters.

Mrs Barron Irvine supported several voluntary organisations, many of which were represented at a service of celebration yesterday.

She had a long association with the British Horse Society, serving on the English committee, and was awarded the prestigious Cubitt Award in 1988.

As chief instructor of South Durham Pony and Saddle Clubs, she taught generations of riders who, decades later, are still proud to have been one of 'her kids'.

She also bought horses for the British Army and had a close relationship with The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

She also helped the WRVS Meals on Wheels service, was a member of the Parochial Church Council and succeeded her late husband as chairman of Great Stainton Village Meeting.

Mrs Barron Irvine died on January 19 in Cornwall, where she had lived with her daughter for some years.

Her daughter, Madeleine Godolphin, said: "Mama thought it a great privilege to share her love and knowledge of all aspects of equitation. Instructing her kids, as she called them, gave her great joy."

Donations given in lieu of flowers will be shared between The Brooke Hospital for Animals and The Gurkha Welfare Trust. They can be sent to Madeleine Godolphin, Fowey, PL23 1EF, until late May.

The family thanked Father John Caden and Rector David Brooke.