John Winnett, dressage Olympian, died in Wellington, Fla., on Oct. 5 after a brief illness. He was 79.
Mr. Winnett was born in Los Angeles, Calif., but spent much of his youth in Europe where he began his equestrian education. He was the Junior National Champion of France in show jumping in 1945. In the 1960s and ’70s he studied dressage under Fritz Steken, Dr. Reiner Klimke and Herbert Rehbein, devoting himself to training dressage horses full time.
From 1945 to 1990, Mr. Winnett represented the United States in many international competitions. He captained the U.S. dressage team at the 1972 and 1980 Olympic Games and was a reserve rider in 1976.
With his wife, Roanne Denny, Mr. Winnett settled in Wellington in 1996. There he taught students and trained horses to Grand Prix.
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Mr. Winnett will be remembered as a classical horseman, one who followed the methods of French riding master François de la Guérinière. He advocated the establishment of a national training center for the benefit of riders and horses, believing it was a way to gain success in international competition.
He authored the book Dressage As Art In Competition, first published by J.A. Allen in 1993. The Lyons Press released a second edition in 2002.
Along with his wife, Mr. Winnett is survived by his daughter, Sarah Winnett; his son, John Winnett III; and his half-sister, Irene Barralet.
