TRIBUTES have been paid to Selina Gibson Fleming, the prominent landowner, horsebreeder and countrywoman who lived on her inherited estate near Blandford until her death on March 28, aged 84.

Described as a pillar of Dorset society, Mrs Gibson Fleming was a passionate advocate of the outdoors life and excelled at countryside pursuits such as riding, hunting and fishing.

From her birth in 1925 she lived her entire life on the estate at Ranston, to the north of Blandford, which she inherited as the only child from her father Sir Randolf Littlehales Baker upon his death in 1959.

Born Selina Littlehales, she served with the Women's Land Army during the Second World War, after which she became a follower of the Portman Hounds and earned a reputation as a fearless horsewoman. Later in life she developed her love for horses by breeding thoroughbreds and achieved some notable successes.

Her proudest moment on the racetrack came in 1994 when her horse, Mister Baileys, won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, setting a course record which still stands today. She also ran the Riding for the Disabled charity in the region.

In 1955 she married Major William Gibson Fleming and the couple began making significant changes to the estate, remodelling all but the west wall of the Grade I listed house and refurbishing the Edwardian walled garden, equipped with several glass houses for growing grapes, peaches and nectarines. Her husband died in 1981.

She leaves her son James, daughter Anthea and grandchildren Hector, William and Olivia. Her godson, Harry Bucknall said: "To some, she had a formidable and determined reputation but underneath there lay a person of extraordinary qualities who possessed great warmth, much kindness and a mischievous sense of humour."