FOR Jane Cook, what began as a nightmare ended in happy horses.

The perceived nightmare was having to tell her husband, Graham, and their three children that she had breast cancer.

It ended in happy horses because once she got the all-clear after a mastectomy, chemotherapy and a course of the drug herceptin, she bought a major share in The Rocking Horse shop in Fangfoss, which she had managed for four years.

Now, two-and-a-half years later, she is boss to nine people and describes her fascinating business as “a niche market an inch wide and a mile deep”

By that, Jane means that the intensity with which she deals with her world of rocking horses is unrivalled.

Her firm restores old rocking horses, makes new ones, sells plans, books, DVDs, timber packs, accessories like bridles and saddles, manes, tails and little twinkly eyes and even offers courses on how to carve these lovely beasts.

She says: “I regard what happened to me as only a perceived nightmare because my own reaction when told was ‘fancy that!’ and it remained a matter of surprise rather than consternation because I am a very positive person. My horses are happy quite simply because I am.”

Along with the shop complex at the end of Main Street, she bought real stables. “I used to ride but now just enjoy looking at horses, whether real or fantasy.

“My passion for the horses goes arm in arm with my passion for customer service.

“At one time I was customer services director for Scarborough-based Alphagraphics UK and the formula is simple. Treat every customer as you would like to be treated.”

Finished horses range from £400 for a chair horse for a toddler to £3,000 for a horse that even adults can ride. Obtainable through its internet store, rockinghorse.co.uk there is not a corner of the world where her stock or kits cannot be found.

Jane says: “It’s very therapeutic. For me and the staff Friday is our ‘rocking’ day. It really helps you to unwind!”

Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?

I would love to be a chef. I hugely enjoy preparing food and seeing the pleasure on people’s faces when they eat is a great reward

Greatest achievement?

I have many but the greatest of them is beating breast cancer in 2007 and getting to take part in Race For Life with my ten year old daughter Amelia last month. It was the most amazing feeling.

Biggest mistake?

Not trusting my instincts.

What makes you most angry?

Negative people. I wish everyone would see the positive side of life.

What do you need to make life complete?

I have a wonderful life, it is complete! (But to be a bit materialistic I wouldn’t mind a little yellow mini car!).

Why do you make a difference?

We should all want to leave this world a little bit better than we found it and that’s why I try to make a difference. My positivity is catching.

Your epitaph

I’ve enjoyed the journey!