The family of a horse-lover who was killed when an animal she was grooming lashed out have paid tribute to her.

Mary Hancy, 55, lived in Ashill, near Watton, with her daughter Kelly and husband Steve and had a passion for horses.

Her daughter said: 'She had dedicated her whole life to horses from gymkhanaing at the age of 12 to BSJA [British Show Jumping Association] Show jumping at county level.

'She was very passionate about breeding hanoverians and German warmbloods for many years and had helped run a riding school and stud with her very close friends Howard and Valerie Rose.

'She was always a familiar and friendly face at senior show jumping shows.'

She added that family and friends will 'miss her very greatly'.

Mrs Hancy had lived in Ashill with her family for the last 20 years and ran a livery yard on her farm whilst helping Kelly to compete across the country.

Jemma Norman, who lives in nearby Holme Hale, said: 'Mary was a very kind, experienced and well known horse lady, who myself and my mum have known for years. I was absolutely devastated to hear the news, it seems the worst things happen to the best people. She was a credit to the equestrian industry. My thoughts are with Kelly, Steve her father and the rest of the family at this difficult time.'

Mrs Hancy died on Sunday after a horse she was clipping kicked her.

She was taken by the East of England Air Ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital, in Cambridge, but died without regaining consciousness.

Jo Winfield, director for education at the British Horse Society, said it was a tragic and unusual incident.

She said: 'This is the first time I have heard of one of these awful incidents.

'You do hear of injuries but a death is thankfully very rare.

'Horses are unpredictable animals. Sometimes they will just react to things around them.'

Do you wish to pay tribute to Mrs Hancy? Write to doug.faulkner@archant.co.uk