LANDRUM – On top of a scenic hill, in front of an elegant home known as Thanksgiving Hill Farm, approximately 100 friends, family and spectators gathered to witness 91 years of tradition.   

Bright sun glistened on scarlet pinks and dappled coats as the excited yip of hounds’ voices lifted in the crisp fall breeze. Joint Master Mrs. Charles C. Lingerfelt III, welcomed members and guests to the 91st opening of the Tryon Hounds formal hunting season. 

“We want to thank the land owners, our huntsman, Beth Blackwell, the professional and honorary whips and the road whips. We couldn’t do this without them,” said Lingerfelt as she sat atop a tall, elegant bay. She then awarded the hunt’s colors a collar in the hunt’s color to wear on their formal hunt coat) to members Karl Alexander and Sue Haldeman. 

“We award colors to a person or persons we feel are deserving members of the hunt,” said Lingerfelt. “These are people we feel are committed to the sport, who ride well and hunt regularly, maintain control of their horse from the saddle and on the ground and who are aware of the country and respectful of the land. Those receiving colors also volunteer to help with, and participate in, hunt sponsored events.” 

Lingerfelt asked Joint Master Mrs. George Hughtston, Jr. and former Mecklenburg Hunt Master Kathy Gruhn to assist in handing out a St. Hubert’s medal to any rider who had not received one from the Tryon Hounds. Several members of the River Valley Pony Club who were guest hunting that day, received a medal. 

She then introduced the hounds and Blackwell, who is one of the few women huntsmen in the country. An expectant silence drifted through spectators and riders as the huntsman strode briskly over the rise with about ten couple tri-colored American foxhounds, eager for the day’s sport. The hounds listened to their huntsman and stayed in a quiet pack as the Rev. Mickey Mugan, retired from Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, offered the benediction. 

As Blackwell went to mount her horse, Honorary Field Master and Joint Master Dr. Dean McKinney offered a toast welcoming guests and members and honoring the staff and landowners. Gruhn and Hughtston helped pass out traditional stirrup cups to the adults in the field.  

In a later interview, Lingerfelt said it was perfectly beautiful day for hunting with perfect weather. “The hounds picked up on a coyote,” she said, adding that Blackwell and Tryon Hounds Professional Whipper In Kaitlyn Kubiak viewed (saw the quarry). 

Lingerfelt also wanted to express her appreciation and the appreciation of the Tryon Hounds to landowners, Jay and Cornelia Alexander of Thanksgiving Hill Farm, Bob and Pat Jordan and all the landowners at Caroland farms.  

She also mentioned that the hunt would not be a success without the help of the staff who includes in addition to McKinney, Field Master and Honorary Secretary Roberta McKinny, Field Master Rebecca Barnes, Kennel Huntsman Kubiak, Honorary

Whipppers-In Ms. Martha Hall, Mr. Reed McNutt and Miss Kasey Minnick along with the Road Whips Ms. Anita Williamson, Mrs. Joan Wescott-Sweet, Mr. Don West and Mrs. Reed McNutt.