Heartbroken Aram Gregory has spoken of his shock and devastation at the sudden death of his wife, Jane, one of the country’s top dressage riders.

Mrs Gregory, 51, suffered a heart attack after finishing riding her favourite horse, Dancing with Wolves, at her home in Great Cheverell on March 28. She was flown to the Royal United Hospital, Bath, but died on Friday with her family at her bedside.

She never regained consciousness from the moment she collapsed in her yard. In accordance with her wishes her organs have been donated and used in transplants.

Her husband, 47, said: “Jane was walking up to the stable with Dancing with Wolves. Her heart stopped and she fell to the floor. The doctors say she had no knowledge of what happened to her which in a way is a blessing.”

Mr Gregory, who competes in dressage internationally and represents Hong Kong, said: “Her last thoughts would have been how great life was. It was a beautiful morning and she had just been riding her favourite horse. Her career was coming back up, she had three horses coming into the big time and she was riding the best she ever had.”

He said his wife, a two-time Olympian for Great Britain, had a variable heart beat that was picked up a few years ago but never caused her to be unwell.

Mrs Gregory’s mother, Bunny Minter-Kemp, who lives in Cornwall, said: “Jane was the most generous spirit. Donating her organs turned something really bad into something good. It was good for us that she was able to help other people.”

Mrs Gregory was aiming to represent Britain at the London Olympics next year and beyond that. She came from a non-equestrian family but through hard work and dedication became a top rider, trainer and judge.n From front page Mr Gregory thanked the staff at the RUH for the care they gave his wife and wellwishers for their support.

He said his wife was an inspiration. “Jane loved life and was an example to us all in not wasting time. She never wasted a second,” he said.

Lucinda Fredericks, a close friend and international equestrian star who lives in Little Cheverell, said: “Jane was the best dressage trainer I have ever experienced. She was totally dedicated and disciplined and totally focused.

“I am just gobsmacked at her death and totally devastated. I had a lesson with her the week before and she looked amazingly fit, the fittest I have ever seen her. She’s going to be hugely missed.”

Mrs Gregory opened Great Cheverell’s new pavilion in 2008 and Lynda Wearn, chairman of the parish council, said: “It’s tragic and people in the village are very sad. She was a quiet and modest person.”

There will be a private funeral service but a thanksgiving service will be held at St John’s Church, Devizes, on Tuesday at 2.30pm.

Her family have asked for donations in her memory to go to the ICU charitable fund at the Royal United Hospital. The money collected will buy a piece of equipment for the unit.