TRIBUTES have been paid to Geraldine White – who passed away after a horse-riding incident near Dorchester last week.

Geraldine, assistant manager of the Greenslade Taylor Hunt (GTH) office in Chard, Somerset, sadly died during an endurance horse ride on October 25.

It is understood she was airlifted to hospital in Southampton but did not regain consciousness.

Heather Giles, chair of the Dorset Long Distance Walking Association, and a close friend of Geraldine, said: “Geraldine was one of the most generous people I have ever met, always cheerful, always upbeat and very competitive whether it was in her day job as an estate agent, an endurance rider or on a challenge walk.

“She was integral to my life and I will miss her desperately. The only consolation to her husband, Roger, and her close friends, is that she died doing something she was passionate about, on a glorious autumn day, riding with an old friend.”

GTH also paid tribute to Geraldine, praising her “kind-hearted nature”.

They went on: “It is with enormous sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of our esteemed and much-loved colleague Geraldine White, assistant manager at our Chard residential office.

“Geraldine was both a highly valued and loyal member of our firm who joined Greenslade Hunt in 1993, originally working for Will Handel’s father, Chris.

“Over the years, she became a familiar and trusted face in the Chard area, overseeing the sale of hundreds of local properties. Her professionalism, energy, and commitment were second to none, and she continued to perform at the very top of her game right up to the present day.”

They added: “She was known for her competitive spirit, professionalism, and kind-hearted nature.

“Geraldine will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with her. Our thoughts are with her family, colleagues and friends at this very difficult time.”