TRIBUTES have been paid to a Dalton woman known as the "Queen of the Shire Horses" and held in the highest esteem among horsepeople across the country.

Glenys Dodd, a much loved and renowned Shire Horse breeder and a former district commissioner of Furness and District Pony Club, passed away peacefully on October 6 at her Park Farm home, surrounded by her loving family.

The highly regarded horsewoman died aged 72 after a brave battle with cancer.

The Dodd family have been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support from friends around the UK and overseas paying their respects to Miss Dodd.

The Burlington Park Shires founder is synonymous with the Shire Horse breed for breeding award-winning, quality horses and generously sharing her vast knowledge with the heavy horse and general horse communities.

She was a great supporter of shows in Cumbria, and around the UK, putting heavy horses on the centre stage.

Last year she proudly saw Burlington Park Tudor, a horse she bred, grace the International Arena at Horse of the Year Show and be placed in the first heavy horse ridden championship at the 'World's Most Famous Horse Show'.

Years ago the 'Queen of the Shire Horses' even had one of the Queen's former drum horses, a horse called Chocolate Box, retire at her farm.

Hundreds of people are to attend her funeral this Friday, including many travelling from around the UK.

In the most fitting of send offs, a Shire Horse will pull a traditional dray cart to carry Miss Dodd to church. The horse's mane will be in full braid and traditional brass plaques will decoration the harness. The funeral service takes place at Risedale Gospel Hall, in Barrow, at 12pm on Friday.

There is also expected to be a guard of honour, including some Furness and District Pony Club past and present members.

A Shire Horse led in hand will lead the funeral cortege into Dalton Cemetery for the private burial.

On behalf of the Dodd family, niece Ros Harrison, of Dalton, said: "Glen has always been a character and was the one person that everyone loves. So many people have contacted us and we have laughed and cried over all the funny stories and memories she has left with us all. She will certainly not be forgotten.

"She has in her life influenced so many different people, always happy to share her extensive knowledge and experience of horses, her nature was just to help and nurture others. She may not of had children of her own but she certainly became ' mum' to so many.

"She was a true inspiration, very determined and fiercely independent, never one to moan just take everything life brings with a smile and a 'get on with it!'"

Mrs Harrison said Macmillan Nurses, FGH Oncology, and Hospice at Home, were all amazing in their support of her auntie, who had only been diagnosed with cancer at the end of July.

Mrs Harrison said: "When she was told how long she had to live, she just said 'Aww that's ages, I can do so much and I can make the horse show next week, the tack sale, Horse of the Year Show, Christmas.' Sadly the last two things she didn't make, but still was determined she would.

"Her ringside seat at HOYS was empty. She was so strong and so brave, the nursing staff all said what a pleasure to care for her. I don't think they get many like 'our Glen'.

"Her Christian faith was not lived out with weekly church visits but by being a faithful, kind, generous, loving, caring hospitable friend, hers was faith in action and impacted so many.

"Even on her final day she was concerned that friends needed to go with us to church to hear about her God so one day she would see them again in heaven! She was the most amazing sister and auntie we as a family could ever wish for. So privileged to see the legacy she has left behind, and fondly will remember all the fun and happiness she brought to our family.

"Her love for family was immense and it was so beautiful that one of the final things Glen would have heard is all her family stood around her bed singing together for her, something she always loved, especially Amazing Grace . The family are recording a song for her celebration, she will be carried into church with them singing Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine . Another song she loved to hear."

Dot Butler, of Barrow, and Miss Dodd were great friends for more than 40 years, first meeting through the Pony Club.

They would attend horse shows together and even appeared on TV show Flog It together.

This year Mrs Butler made the very emotional pilgrimage to HOYS without her friend.

Mrs Butler, a former secretary of Furness and District Pony Club, said: "Glen was a wonderful friend. She is one of the kindest people I have ever met, generous to a fault. And she was so funny and up for a laugh.

"It was so hard to go to HOYS without Glen, but I went for Glen. It was very emotional, but the amount of people who came over to talk about Glen and share memories, it was lovely.

"She would help anyone new to Shires and invite them to Park Farm and give them advice and shared her knowledge.

"She was a top woman, so well respected and loved.

"She was a brilliant district commissioner for the Pony Club, everyone loved her.

"She was a one off was Glen, she was unique, and a legend. She will be so sadly missed."

Phoebe Sharp, the long serving president of Furness and District Pony Club, and a former district commissioner herself said: "Glen will be so sadly missed.

"Her knowledge was unbelievable and she was so good with the Pony Club members. She had a strict code of conduct, but was kind and everyone respected her.

"She passed that great knowledge onto the members and was generous with her time. If anyone slipped back she spent time with them to help bring them to the level of the others.

"She supported all the local shows and really helped to keep them alive."

Delma E Nulty, a long standing council member for the governing body of the Shire Horse Society, and the first lady to judge the Shire Horses at Horse of the Year Show this year, paid tribute to her friend, saying: "The Shire Horse Society and its members were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Glenys Dodd breeder and exhibitor of the Burlington Park Shires.

"This amazing lady has long been held in the very highest esteem by the society for the amazing way that she has promoted the Shire Horse both nationally and in her native Cumbria. She has over many decades been responsible for numerous new Shire Horse breeders and exhibitors in the North of England who Glen has encouraged and mentored. Her passing leaves a huge void within the Shire Horse world.

"She was a friend to all who knew her and leaves behind an incredible legacy in the form of all of those people to whom she has brought into our Shire Horse family.

"To say that she will be missed is an understatement like no other. Glen was one of the most respected, influential and loved people that it has been our pleasure and privilege to have known. RIP Cumbria's Queen Of The Shires."

Donations at the funeral will be for Macmillan nurses, FGH Oncology, Hospice at Home and Gideon’s International.