Mrs. Dean McKinney (Roberta) - Honorary Secretary and Field Master
Roberta grew up in a riding family. When she was in her teens they moved to a farm that bordered Croft State Horse Park in Spartanburg, SC widely known in the region for its equestrian facilities and 20 miles of trails. Roberta, who had started taking riding lessons when she was in the 4th grade and later showed in equitation classes, under saddle and over fences. She also enjoyed horse camping in the area a favorite being at Pisgah National Forest. While trail riding she met Dr. Dean McKinney through mutual friends, who she later married.
Roberta joined TH in 1994 and was awarded colors on Thanksgiving 1997. She became the Honorary Secretary in 2004 and has been serving in that position ever since. She became the Saturday Hilltopper Field Master while still riding her Tennessee Walking Horse Just Jack. Later when leading the field on Dean’s hand me down OTTB Flashman, the Masters asked her if she would be willing to lead a Saturday only jumping Second Flight. For the first couple of years, it was like the First Flight, jumps were not optional but she made sure to keep her obstacles 2’ 6” and under. However, when Jen Hicks suggested she make jumps optional and Roberta followed her advice, the size of the field tripled! She still leads Second Flight on Saturdays and loves it!
Some of Roberta’s fondest memories of hunting are all the road trips she took, whether it is a Joint Meet or The Virginia Hound Show at Morven Park. She said she’s been blessed to have participated in Joint Meets with Tryon Hounds with Farmington Hunt Club in VA, Four Winds Foxhounds in FL, Belle Meade Hunt in GA, and Moore County Hounds in Southern Pines, NC and Flat Branch, Camden Hunt, and Whiskey Road in SC and numerous others. She and husband Dean McKinney, Louise Houghston, MFH, Chip Anderson, Huntsman were invited to fly to Canada and hunt with Toronto-North York. “Those hunting memories are etched into my brain.” Roberta admits. “They feed meat and not kibble to their pack, so it was interesting to watch the hounds pile in and eat tripe in the feeding room. We also took a trip to Ireland to hunt; however, I decided not to ride when I found out they jump 5-bar metal gates to get in and out of fields.”
Hunting in ArizonaProbably the best travel memory she had was flying to AZ to a hunt hosted by Nina and George Masek, who also had a place in Tryon and were social members of the Club. They had previously had a pack named Grass Ridge Hounds in Sonoita, AZ and a large group of Tryon Hounds members had shipped their horses and hounds out for a week, as they still had their kennels. Fox River Valley brought their pack of Crossbred Hounds, and Santa Ynez brought theirs as well. “What an amazing trip!! We hunted four hours minimum each day on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and afterwards I couldn’t even step up on a curb. We got a masseuse to come out and I hurt so much I cried. The hunting was fantastic and very, very different from over here. The horses learned to jump the cactus which was everywhere! That trip was topped off with a Hunt Ball in with a western swing band where George awarded all of us buttons with their GRH logo. I had mine made into earrings and a necklace!”
“My most meaningful memory I have with Tryon Hounds is having the privilege of riding behind Master Louise Hughston. She taught me everything about hounds and hunting and also taught me how to have grace under pressure. She was quite the lady, and I still miss her. My other mentor is Bonnie Lingerfelt. I soak up her wisdom on a daily basis and feel fortunate that she continues to lead our way. I have great fun hunting with the Tryon Hounds. I have made so many friends near and far from our shared love of watching and listening to the Hounds! I truly have been blessed.
While she gave riding lessons while in high school and college she decided she wanted to major in merchandising. She didn’t want to make money off horses. “They are so special and sacred to me, “Jeanne explained. Instead she ended up buying a tack store for 10 cents on the dollar. She made the store a success and rode both English and Western, later showing Morgan horses. Soon dressage became her thing and really still is. She has earned her USDF (US Dressage Federation) silver medal and served two terms as USDF Regional Director. In May she and her horse Paxton joined the USDF Century Club by competing in a dressage show at the combined age of 100.
When Beth Blackwell became Huntsman for Tryon and brought some of her hounds to Tryon, Jeanne swears they have never had a dry day since. She and her husband Dave enjoy the interesting members from various states and countries from all over the world that have a variety of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. They feel that is what makes the Tryon Hounds so inclusive and unique. And of course the winters are are wonderful!