Pat Burgess MBE, co-founder of Wilton RDA, dies aged 90

Pat Burgess MBE set up Wilton Riding for the Disabled Association after moving to the area with her husband and three children from her native South Africa.

In Cape Town, Pat was a successful showjumper but after a knee injury and the birth of her twins in Salisbury she decided to focus on teaching.

During the 1980s she coached the British Olympic Eventing team and was trainer to legendary names such as Lucinda Green, Richard Meade and Ginny Leng.

However, according to her family, "her greatest passion in life was Wilton RDA".

"She always said she ran the RDA on love, joy and enthusiasm," said her daughter Sally.

Pat Burgess carrying the Olympic torch in 2012

Her work with the charity resulted in Pat being awarded an MBE in December 2007. However, as she decided not to go to Buckingham Palace, she was presented with it a year later at the charity's nativity.

"It was her choice, she just wanted it to be about the RDA and not her, that's the kind of person she was," said Sally.

Another highlight of Pat's life was carrying the Olympic torch up a steep hill in Winterborne Whitechurch in 2012, cheered on by family and friends.

Since her passing on November 4, a Justgiving page for Wilton RDA has been set up for anyone wanting to make a donation in her memory.

The page reads: "[Pat] was a powerhouse of a person who could match the right person with the right horse and get the right result. We can all recall something Pat said that struck a chord with us and helped to shape our world. She was a mentor and a guide. She understood and saw the best in people."

She will be missed by her five children, Pete, Jim, Tracey, Tom and Sally, nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many friends.