Ritchie newest Master of Foxhounds, McKinney steps down after 15 years

 

TRYON — At the Annual Meeting of Certificate Holders for Tryon Hounds, it was announced that Dr. Dean McKinney would be stepping down from his role as Master of Foxhounds. 

McKinney had served Tryon Hounds for 16 years as Master of Foxhounds and had previously held various positions within the organization, including president, officer, director and field master. 

While McKinney’s leadership and years of experience will be missed, he will continue to work with Tryon Hounds as a whipper-in, occasional field master, trail clearer, and jack of all trades. 

“The Club and the sport have been wonderful to me. I got a lot more out of it than I gave,” McKinney said. “It’s been a delightful part of my life and I’ll still be part of the club, but I’m ready to let someone else become the Master. I was one of three, and the other two MFHs will still be there, and I look forward to watching someone else step into that role.” 

At the same meeting, the Tryon Hounds Board thanked Karen Graham for her three years of service on the Board, and welcomed Piper Close and Jon Napper to the Board for new three-year terms. 

The Board appointed Jim Ritchie as the newest Master of Foxhounds of Tryon Hounds. Ritchie has been a member of Tryon Hounds since 2019, was awarded colors and came on the board in 2020, and served as Vice President in 2021 and 2022. He and his Cleveland Bay, Statesman, ride in the first flight, which Jim has led from time to time. He grew up showing hunters in Virginia and rode with the Greenville Hounds before joining Tryon Hounds. 

The Board expressed excitement to work with Masters Bonnie Lingerfelt, Nelson Minnick, and Jim Ritchie for the 2023-2024 season and beyond. Tryon Hounds continues to be a thriving and diverse organization with a solid commitment to carrying on the tradition of foxhunting in the Tryon area.