Jim grew up showing Hunter Jumpers in Roanoke, Virginia. After law school, Jim and his wife, Evelyn, settled in Greenville, SC. As soon as he could, he began fox hunting with the Greenville Hounds; however, when Evelyn was in the late stages of her first pregnancy, she insisted that Jim start wearing a baby beeper in the field in case she went into labor. Jim, always practical, decided this might be a good time to take some time away from foxhunting.

Jim was soon busy raising his growing family, serving as a SC State Senator and Majority Whip, and building his own law firm, Ritchie & Associates, which specializes in equestrian law. After a 25 year break from horses, Jim decided it was time to get back in the saddle. A year later he joined the Tryon Hounds, and in 2023 when Dean McKinney retired as a Master (but still rides as as an Honorary Whipper-In), Jim was asked to take Dean’s place as Joint Master.

Jim’s favorite horse was Statesman, an 18-hand Cleveland Bay “super star”. Evelyn had never been a horse girl but she does enjoy the social side of the Tryon Hounds. At the first Hunt Breakfast she attended, Dean introduced himself to Evelyn. Dean smiled broadly and said, “We are so pleased to have Jim hunting with the Tryon Hounds. And he’s so well mounted!”

Evelyn, who has a wickedly dry sense of humor, cocked her head and with an ironic air said, “Thank you???” Her remark was one for the books.

It meant so much to Jim when he received his colors from the Tryon Hounds. “They Tryon Hounds sets the standards for traditional hunting, and it is a joy  to support and be a part of this wonderful group of foxhunters.” Having a passion for conservation, he appreciates thatTryon Hounds still hunt on private lands with 8 different fixtures nestled all around rolling farm land, rivers and ponds in the beautiful hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

His favorite recent memory was riding with fellow Joint Master, Nelson Minnick, at Caroland Farms when a grey fox suddenly appeared on the trail not 50 yards away. Tally ho!