Alex Konyot
Revered dressage trainer Alex Konyot died of heart failure at his home in Palm City, Fla., on Feb. 8. He was 91.

Born in Hungary, Mr. Konyot came to the United States in 1939 at age 24. He enlisted in the military to earn his U.S. citizenship, applying his proficiency in seven languages to work as a translator during World War II.

After the war, Mr. Konyot joined the Ringling Bros. Circus, where he met his wife, Josephine, a high-wire walker. A seventh-generation horseman, he became a famous trainer of circus horses and was enshrined in the Circus Ring of Fame in 2003.

Mr. Konyot was one of the first classical dressage trainers in the country, and he guided the careers of luminaries such as Robert Dover, Kathy von Ertfelda, Michael Poulin, and his own daughter, Tina Konyot. They, like all of his students, considered Mr. Konyot a genius and valued his attention to the details of correct, progressive training.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Konyot is survived by his son, Randy, all of Palm City, Fla.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation, c/o Robin Stetler, 10152 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 136, Jupiter, FL 33458. Staff

Roy Chapman
Roy “Chappy” Chapman, known best as the owner and breeder of Smarty Jones, the winner of the 130th Kentucky Derby, died on Feb. 17 of emphysema in Doylestown, Pa. He was 79.

Mr. Chapman was a retired automobile dealer and an avid foxhunter. His first breakthrough in horse racing came when his Uncle Merlin won steeplechasing’s greatest American prize, the Maryland Hunt Cup, in 1989.

After becoming ill and losing his race horse trainer, the late Robert Camac, Mr. Chapman slowed down and cut back on his equestrian activities. He then sold all but two horses, one of whom was Smarty Jones. With his wife, Pat, and “that horse from Philadelphia Park,” as some called Smarty Jones at first, Mr. Chapman took the nation on a fantasy ride through the 2004 Triple Crown races.

Bred in Chester County, Pa., at Chapman’s Someday Farm, Smarty Jones became only the second horse from that state to win the Kentucky Derby. The horse was named after Pat’s mother, Mildred, whose antics as a youngster earned her the nickname “Smarty Jones.” After a schooling accident in a starting gate that left him with multiple skull fractures when he was 2, Smarty Jones became the first undefeated winner of the Run for the Roses and the Preakness Stakes since Seattle Slew in 1977. But in the Belmont Stakes, Smarty Jones settled for second behind Birdstone. Smarty Jones retired in August 2004 with earnings of more than $7.6 million. Now at stud, he stands in Midway, Ky., at Three Chimneys Farm.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Chapman is survived by four children and many grand-children. H.M.

Robert Lewis
Gracious race horse owner Robert Lewis died on Feb. 17 in Newport Beach, Calif., of heart failure. He was 81.

With his wife and partner, Beverly, Mr. Lewis came close to winning the Triple Crown twice, first in 1997 when Silver Charm took the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, then again in 1999 when Charismatic repeated the feat. Both horses fell short in the Belmont Stakes, with Silver Charm finishing second and Charismatic finishing third.

Mr. Lewis was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and became an Anheuser-Busch beer distributor. He served his country during World War II and always felt a need “to give something back” to the world. The Lewises helped begin the Lewis Center for Neuro-Imaging at the University of Oregon and the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Cure Center in Pomona, Calif. Mr. Lewis also was a trustee of the Casa Colina Rehabilitation Center in Pomona and served on many boards, including the Breeders’ Cup and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Other top-flight horses in the Lewis stable included Timber Country, Commendable, Serena’s Song, Orientate, High Yield, Hennessy, and the 2005 Eclipse Award-winning filly Folklore. Win or lose, Mr. Lewis was always happy to be at the racetrack, and he generously shared his thoughts and time with anyone, from fans to sheikhs.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Lewis is survived by three children and four grand-children.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Foundation, 1798 N. Garey Avenue, Pomona, CA 91767. H.M.

Sam Rubin
Sam Rubin, owner of the legendary race horse John Henry, died in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 13. He was 91.

Mr. Rubin grew up in New York City and pursued a variety of careers before becoming a bicycle importer and salesman. The first horse Mr. Rubin ever bought was John Henry in 1978, for the sum of $25,000, later to be considered one of the greatest bargains in racing history.

Racing under the name of Dotsam Stable (a combination of his and wife Dorothy’s names), John Henry went on to win more than $6.5 million, seven Eclipse Awards, and two Horse of the Year titles. John Henry retired at age 9 after racing for seven seasons. His two wins in the Grade I Arlington Million (in 1981 and 1984) are considered his most memorable. John Henry was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1990.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Rubin is survived by two children and by John Henry, now 31 and living at Kentucky Horse Park. H.M.

Priscilla Hope Oliver
Horsewoman and photographer Priscilla Hope “Po” Oliver died suddenly on Feb. 25 at her home in Rougemont, N.C. She was 55.

Ms. Oliver will be remembered for her quick wit, passion for photography, animals and anything to do with horses. She and her favorite horse Wahoo were fixtures at the Colonial Cup (S.C.) and at other races shows and foxhunts throughout the Carolinas and Virginia.

The daughter of the late Keith and Priscilla Oliver, she is survived by sisters, Nancy McCabe, Faith Cooper, Wendy Montini and Susan Oliver, and by her brother, Keith Oliver. Staff

Brigadier
Brigadier, an equine member of the Metro Toronto (Ont.) Police Force, was killed while on duty on Feb. 24. The Belgian-cross was 9.

Brigadier was euthanized on the scene by fellow officers after being struck deliberately by a minivan driver while patrolling in Toronto. Both of his front legs were broken.

His rider, Const. Kevin Bradfield, suffered broken ribs and minor neck and leg injuries. He spoke at a memorial service for Brigadier, attended by more than 1,500 people, including Toronto’s mayor and chief of police.

Brigadier was cremated at the Ontario Veterinary College, where a memorial fund has been established. Brigadier’s breeder, David Carson of Listowel, Ont., has donated a 3-year-old draft cross to be Brigadier’s successor. Staff

Horatius
The Thoroughbred stallion Horatius died in his paddock at Thornmar Farm in Chestertown, Md., on Feb. 3. He was 31.

Horatius was the sire of champion sprinter Safely Kept, one of his 26 stakes winners. Horatius was also well-regarded as a sire of event horses.

He was pensioned in 2001. Staff