Peter Winants, former COTH Editor, Publisher & Writer, passes away

[VirginiaBred]

Horseman Peter Winants Dies May 18th Source: Fauquier Times-Democrat



Virginia lost a giant of the horse industry May 18, with the death of Peter Winants of Rectortown following a long illness.

A native of Maryland, Winants was born into the foxhunting-steeplechasing tradition: stepfather Bryce Wing was chairman of the Maryland Hunt Cup from 1938-'66.
Winants attended Princeton and served in the Army during World War II. He and brother Garrett ran a photography business in Baltimore.

In the beginning, photographing horses and equine sports was only a small part of their work, but soon Peter Winants added freelance jobs, including writing, fulfilling his passion for racing, especially steeplechasing.

After watching Tommy Smith and Jay Trump win the 1965 English Grand National, a book brewed in Winants’ head: "Jay Trump, A Steeplechasing Saga," a perceptively written story accented by Winants' photographs of the event.

In 1972 Winants became writer, then editor, and later publisher, of the Chronicle of the Horse magazine in Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country.
Not only did Winants take photographs and write articles for the Chronicle, but he also foxhunted around Virginia, as he had done on My Lady’s Manor in Maryland since age 12, rode timber races, and even competed at dressage and three-day events.
In 1991 Winants retired from the Chronicle at age 65 after 19 years, and immediately undertook the evolution of the new National Sporting Library, moving from a damp space in the basement of the Chronicle building to a stunning new, self-contained facility of its own.
He was director of the library from 1991-'98. He served as director emeritus, then honorary director until his death.

Winants also acted as field master to the private Bath County Hounds for 10 years.
Peter Winants embodied in his life much of what the National Sporting Library represents,” said Nancy Parsons, current NSL president. “A scholar and author on...foxhunting, steeplechasing and sporting art, Peter was passionate about country life and field sports. As the former director of the library, Peter played an integral role in the development and growth of the organization and his leadership continued through his service on the board. He was a fine gentleman, a respected colleague and a dear friend.”

Winants wrote four other books, and was working on a fifth at the time of his death.
Long-time friend and fellow journalist Arthur Arundel called Winants "one of the quiet giants of our times in local and national horse sports. His imprint both personally and through the internationally renowned Chronicle of the Horse and National Sporting Library is certain to have a lasting impact on the sports of foxhunting and steeplechasing which he most loved."
Throughout his life, Winants was fully immersed in the horse business, both as vocation and avocation.

"There's nothing like making a living with what you have a passion for," Winants said in a 2007 interview. “[I'd] always been a horseman, and I had learned about photography, so I thought that this would be a good combination and a fun thing to do."

Longtime NSL librarian Lisa Campbell said that Winants was her inspiration. “It was an honor to work for Peter,” she said. “He was always so positive, very encouraging, whether it was riding or writing. He was a remarkable leader for the library."

Winants is survived by wife of five years Mary Weeden Winants. First wife Rosemary died in 2002. Winants had four children — Jennifer Rose, Bryce, Peter Jr. and Garrett “Woods.” Winants had six grandchildren.

Funeral and burial will be private. A memorial service and reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, open to family and friends. Call (540) 687-6542 or log onto www.NSL.org (http://www.NSL.org) for exact information.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Piedmont Environmental Council or a charity of choice.

[VirginiaBred]

I posted this on Hunter/Jumper also, but felt it belonged her. So sad.


Horseman Peter Winants Dies May 18th
Source: Fauquier Times-Democrat


Virginia lost a giant of the horse industry May 18, with the death of Peter Winants of Rectortown following a long illness.

A native of Maryland, Winants was born into the foxhunting-steeplechasing tradition: stepfather Bryce Wing was chairman of the Maryland Hunt Cup from 1938-'66.
Winants attended Princeton and served in the Army during World War II. He and brother Garrett ran a photography business in Baltimore.

In the beginning, photographing horses and equine sports was only a small part of their work, but soon Peter Winants added freelance jobs, including writing, fulfilling his passion for racing, especially steeplechasing.

After watching Tommy Smith and Jay Trump win the 1965 English Grand National, a book brewed in Winants’ head: "Jay Trump, A Steeplechasing Saga," a perceptively written story accented by Winants' photographs of the event.

In 1972 Winants became writer, then editor, and later publisher, of the Chronicle of the Horse magazine in Middleburg, the heart of Virginia horse country.
Not only did Winants take photographs and write articles for the Chronicle, but he also foxhunted around Virginia, as he had done on My Lady’s Manor in Maryland since age 12, rode timber races, and even competed at dressage and three-day events.
In 1991 Winants retired from the Chronicle at age 65 after 19 years, and immediately undertook the evolution of the new National Sporting Library, moving from a damp space in the basement of the Chronicle building to a stunning new, self-contained facility of its own.
He was director of the library from 1991-'98. He served as director emeritus, then honorary director until his death.

Winants also acted as field master to the private Bath County Hounds for 10 years.
Peter Winants embodied in his life much of what the National Sporting Library represents,” said Nancy Parsons, current NSL president. “A scholar and author on...foxhunting, steeplechasing and sporting art, Peter was passionate about country life and field sports. As the former director of the library, Peter played an integral role in the development and growth of the organization and his leadership continued through his service on the board. He was a fine gentleman, a respected colleague and a dear friend.”

Winants wrote four other books, and was working on a fifth at the time of his death.
Long-time friend and fellow journalist Arthur Arundel called Winants "one of the quiet giants of our times in local and national horse sports. His imprint both personally and through the internationally renowned Chronicle of the Horse and National Sporting Library is certain to have a lasting impact on the sports of foxhunting and steeplechasing which he most loved."
Throughout his life, Winants was fully immersed in the horse business, both as vocation and avocation.

"There's nothing like making a living with what you have a passion for," Winants said in a 2007 interview. “[I'd] always been a horseman, and I had learned about photography, so I thought that this would be a good combination and a fun thing to do."

Longtime NSL librarian Lisa Campbell said that Winants was her inspiration. “It was an honor to work for Peter,” she said. “He was always so positive, very encouraging, whether it was riding or writing. He was a remarkable leader for the library."

Winants is survived by wife of five years Mary Weeden Winants. First wife Rosemary died in 2002. Winants had four children — Jennifer Rose, Bryce, Peter Jr. and Garrett “Woods.” Winants had six grandchildren.

Funeral and burial will be private. A memorial service and reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, open to family and friends. Call (540) 687-6542 or log onto www.NSL.org (http://www.nsl.org/) for exact information.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Piedmont Environmental Council or a charity of choice.

[ArtilleryHill]

Such terrible news! A true horseman, scholar, and gentleman. They don't make them like that anymore. He will be very sadly missed by so many. Thanks for posting the news.

[BAC]

A great loss to the horse world, my condolences to his family and friends.

[Summit Springs Farm]

I had the priledge of working with Peter at the Chronicle in the late 70's, I was a teenager with many horsey dreams, and one was being able to publish horseshow photos in the Chronicle, which I did thanks to Mr. Winants.

Thank you to a man who brought forth one of my dreams. He was a great man, condolences to his family.

[MintHillFarm]

So sad...My sincere condolences to the family. His name has always, in my mind, been synonomous with the Chronicle for the many years I have read it.
He will be missed by all the devoted Chronicle readers.

[Tackpud]

My condolences to his friends and family. He will truly be missed.

[Tantivy1]

An incredibly wrenching loss to the foxhunting and steeplechasing communities.

[Hunter's Rest]

I wrote that obituary. There is nothing worse than writing an obituary for a friend, especially one as beloved and remarkable as Peter Winants.
It is a loss for Virginia's horse community, yes, but also a loss for the world at large. Peter was a special person.

[Beverley]

Sad news, he was a great guy. He didn't look well at the Maryland Hunt Cup, but spirits and humor were indominitable as ever.

[Tantivy1]

Anyone know the status of his Peter Winants' book, or even the subject matter?

At least it would give us something to look forward to....

Or for that matter, the book Gordan Smith was working on about the Old Dominion hunt?

Such losses to the hunting world.

[Moderator 1]

Thank you, VirginiaBred and Hunter's Rest, for your recognition of Mr. Winants, who was such an integral part of the Chronicle.

We've posted a global announcement across the forums, pointing to this thread, where members of the community can share their thoughts and memories of this fine horseman.

[Rhyadawn]

My condolences to family and friends. I will keep them in my prayers.

[Ghazzu]

I still miss the weekly columns he used to write, back when I first subscribed.

[ahf]

I am just sitting here, sobbing. Peter was the definition of "a gentleman and a scholar". He was the gentlest of "old souls". I keenly feel this passing of an era.

The Chronicle reported that his next book was to be about Theo Randolph. I was so very excited.

He will never know how many people he affected and touched throughout his life. I know I was a better person for knowing him.

[Larksmom]

on the COTH sponsored trip to Australia in 1986. He was interesting to chat with, and so full of information. He was friendly helped make that a special trip. I have always associated him with the Chronicle and offer my condolenses to the family.

[VirginiaBred]

I wrote that obituary. There is nothing worse than writing an obituary for a friend, especially one as beloved and remarkable as Peter Winants.
It is a loss for Virginia's horse community, yes, but also a loss for the world at large. Peter was a special person.


:( Hugs to you. You did a lovely job.

[equit8]

Peter was a friend of my parents he took a picture of me when I was 3 years old on my pony and used it for his advertising.

[Penthilisea]

Ahh. What a loss.

[Gala123]

Oh my - I just read this and it has brought back so many memories that I have of time spent with Peter. I dated one of Peter's son's for a bit, and got to know him very well. I kept my horse at his house in Middleburg and Peter and I would ride together every morning before I went to work. Peter 'loaned' me his great horse "Moseby" for a couple of summers who I showed successfully in the adult amateur division along with my own horse "Tuscarora Mill". He was an amazingly kind and generous individual.

Peter took me to my first ever foxhunt with Melvin Poe -- what a special treat. I remember John and Julie Coles were there with their two little girls (yes, this was a long time ago!). John and Peter would joke about my showing the great Moseby at the Middleburg Classic (Moseby was a timber race horse).

Peter was the kindest, gentlest, most amazing man. My heart goes out to his wife, Mary, and his 3 sons and daughter.

Betsy Gilstrap

[BeverlyAStrauss]

A truly remarkable gentleman, and an incredible horseman. Our thoughts are with his family.....

Bev & Tom Strauss

[canyonoak]

Peter Winants is associated forever in my mind (and am sure the minds and hearts of countless others) as part of that very special horse community--the one where all are truly horse people, not just people who have horses.

His passion and good sense were always rare, more so each passing day.

Godspeed, Mr. Winants, and may you always have the beloved horses surrounding you.

[retreadeventer]

I remember not only his positive spirit, but his courage and journalistic integrity. At the 1984 Olympic Games, he stood behind me when I wrote an article about the cross country course of the three day event, and it was due to be published prior to the official course walk - and TPTB threatened The Chronicle. He suggested a very workable compromise (publishing the article in Horse and Hound, and the official program as well) which helped everyone comply with rules yet gave the Chronicle the scoop on the course. I think he broke ground with that stand, as now courses are not the grave secret they used to be due to his view that the more information, the better. John can fill in and correct me on my recall of that incident but I was called on the carpet by Santa Anita officials who badly scared me with the threat of being the reason the US TEam would be disqualified, and Mr. Winants stood up to them. I will never forget his courage and sense of fair play! May God keep him in his hand, and his family as well.

[fair judy]

mr. winants was three years behind my father at princeton. i don't know him personally, but i always mourn the loss of any man who wears the orange and black. his generation was possessed of a particular valor, and courtly manner.

i will watch in "paws" for mr. winants obit. i know that alumna will mourn his death. i remember his terrific ability with language, and his incredibly insightful columns.

god speed, and so much sympathy to his family.

[RunForIt]

I wrote that obituary. There is nothing worse than writing an obituary for a friend, especially one as beloved and remarkable as Peter Winants.
It is a loss for Virginia's horse community, yes, but also a loss for the world at large. Peter was a special person.

your pain comes through as a lovely tribute to your friend...he rests even better for it and knows you'll get the same. :cool: Peter was the editor when I first subscribed...some things etch in your mind; though some things, like your feelings, Hunter's Rest, etch in your heart, so they live forever.

[Horsecrazy27]

sorry to hear, God bless him and his family

[goeslikestink]

sound like a great horseman and he will be sorely missed
and what a great guy for giving so much to the equine industry
well done hunters rest he would be proud of you as you are of him
god bless him and his family

[li'l bit]

RIP and God Speed Peter.

[TBMaggie]

Mr. Winants was The Chronicle's Editor when I first subscribed...and he will be remembered as an officer and gentleman of the horse world. Always insightful, always thought provoking, diplomatic and wise. We have lost a great man. Godspeed Mr. Winants, and my condolences to the Winants family.