Ronald “Ronnie” Sakell, a professional horseman and beloved instructor, died on Jan. 24. He was 73.

Mr. Sakell was born in Washington, D.C., and was a self-employed horseman who instructed students, trained and sold horses. He was a member of the Orange County Hunt (Va.), the Charles Town Benevolent Protective Association (W.Va.), and the Washington Bridle Trails Association and was a fixture on the Northern Virginia horse show circuit.

“He was an excellent teacher,” said former student Bud Stuart, DVM, of Santa Barbara, Calif. “He was very low key and started you very gently. He didn’t make you nervous.”

Mr. Sakell is survived by his mother, Laura Gaither Fioramonti of Charles Town, W.Va., and his sister, Patricia A. Miller, Harwood, Md.

Memorial donations may be made to Jefferson County Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 147, Charles Town, WV 25414, or to CANTER, 309 B Cross Green St., Gaithersburg, MD 20878.