The Briton, was vice-president of the Malawi Equestrian Federation and President between 2001 and 2003, took up dressage while working as an officer in the British army and police force in the 1970s.

He then trained at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, with Hans Riegler and Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg, before moving to Malawi in 1953.

There, with his wife Jayn Burgess and daughter Zoe Kayes, as well as Deborah Murphy, Katherine Paul and Diane Pieterse, he founded the national equestrian federation and set up the Plateau Stables - Malawi's first dressage residential training centre - with a number of Lipizzaners.

He then travelled around the neighbouring countries, as well as to New Zealand, to judge and train riders during the 1980s and 1990s.

Kayes, who is now President of the Malawi Equestrian Federation, paid tribute to her father.

"My father lived an exceptional life doing what he loved best," she said.

"He was also a keen musician, which was part of his love for dressage and rhythm.

"Certainly for myself I have not only lost a father but my trainer and my mentor.

"He was a huge inspiration for us all in the Dressage community here in Malawi and will be very sorely missed."

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) also sent its "sincere condolences to Brian Burgess' family, to the equestrian community in Malawi and to his many friends around the world".

Burgess passed away peacefully with his family at his home of nearly 40 years on the Zomba Plateau in Malawi.

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