A beloved horse rider who participated in international shows and taught several residents for over half a century has died.

Tommy Robinson who ran passed away aged 93 in a care home in Harlow on Monday, April 1.

Tributes have poured in on Facebook from several people who knew the “master of horses” after the announcement was made on Tuesday.

Jayne Hegley, who works started riding at Mr Robinson’s yard Nightingale Riding School in 1978, described him as a “very knowledgeable man.”

“I would always see Tommy when I was riding my horse, he was just part of the forest,” she said. “A perfect gentleman and very experienced horse man, he always wore a tweed flat cap which was his distinctive trade mark.

“I think his life of working with horses, teaching children to ride should be celebrated a truly wonderful man who will be sadly missed.”

Originally from Forest Gate, Mr Robinson first ran his riding school opposite the Holly House Hospital in Buckhurst Hill, which is now a garage.

He then moved to Albany Stud Farm based on Epping New Road where he continued to teach and ride into his eighties.

During his younger days, the passionate horseman also competed at Horse of the Year Show, White City Horse Show and the Royal International Horse Show.

Owner of Just Riding, Justine Armstrong-Small, from Upshire, saw Mr Robinson just last year when he came watch a riding lesson.

She said: “He was a strict and correct man that wanted things done properly and he loved the showing events.

“He was very smart and would get the horses turned out well.”

Mr Robinson’s passion for all things equestrian also ran in the family with his brother, Arthur, being a horse dealer across Essex.

Mr Robinson was also regular seen with his long-term partner, Jean, but it unknown if she or Arthur are still alive.

Gloria Taylor, owner of High Beech Horse Riding School who has been involved in the horse-riding industry for 50 years saw the 93-year-old at numerous events.

“He was an amazing person who was very kind-hearted but wouldn’t be afraid to give you a dressing down if he wanted to.”

Jill Baker from Waltham Abbey said used to keep her ponies at the Nightingale Riding School, said he would remember the pensioner as “a top horseman.”

Through his training and guidance, Ms Baker went on to work in Germany for an international show-jumping rider at just 19 years old.

“I would come home once a year and go and visit him and he was always so interested to hear about what I was doing.” she explained.

“His place was more than just a riding school where you get lots of places where it’s just lessons it was a privilege to be at his yard

“He was a fantastic horseman a great role model I think everyone in the yard would look up to. He had time for everybody and he was so knowledgeable and very helpful.”

The date of Tommy Robinson’s funeral is currently unknown. If you have any information regarding this, please contact the Epping Forest Guardian.