For more than 30 years, Mrs Johnstone, known to all as 'Boss', owned the riding school Woodlands Stables, in Holywell Row, and trained thousands of successful riders, including Olympic hopeful Sharon Hunt.

After having twice beaten the disease, Mrs Johnstone was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December 2006. The 75-year-old passed away in St Nicholas' Hospice, in Bury St Edmunds, on June 22.

Her daughter Lorna, who continues to run Woodlands Stables, paid tribute this week to her 'pioneering' mother. "She had a natural talent for teaching, but she was also very strong-willed, which is why she was probably so successful," she said.

Mrs Johnstone took up horse training in her early twenties. Her talent as a trainer ended up taking her all over the world.

She moved her family to Suffolk, where she founded Woodlands Stables. Her website – www.eque-train.co.uk – earned Mrs Johnstone many awards for the pioneering way it allowed students to log on and download lessons to complete at home.

Along with Lorna, Mrs Johnstone is survived by her children Christine, Sheena, Fiona and John, and her grandchildren Katie and Emily. Her late husband John died in 1988.

Donations can be made to St Nicholas' Hospice or Cancer Research UK, c/o Michael Denney & Sons Funeral Services.