People often remark that members of the Tryon Hounds are remarkably well-traveled—and Amanda and Ian McDonald are perfect examples. Amanda’s parents are from England, but her father’s work in the oil industry took the family to the Middle East, where Amanda was born in Kuwait. At the age of eight, she started riding Arabian horses in the desert and instantly fell in love with horses for life.
At fifteen, her family moved to Ireland, then spent a short stint in London before relocating tothe United States—first to Philadelphia, then Houston, and eventually Tampa, where she would later meet Ian. Amanda’s interest in fox hunting has deep family roots. Her great-grandfather served as Master of the “Braes of Derwent” Hunt in northeast England in the early 1900s. Founded in 1854, the hunt still exists today. He and his son, Cyril Pearson—a well-known show jumper in the 1920s--were deeply involved in the horse world and operated the “Three Horse Shoes” pub (see photo). Horses, it seems, are firmly in Amanda’s DNA.
Ian grew up near London on the south coast. After marrying his first wife, a nurse, the pair learned of a nursing shortage in the U.S. and, in 1983, sold everything and moved across the pond. They eventually welcomed a daughter whom Ian put on a pony at age four. Before long he was a full-fledged horse dad, shuttling her to riding lessons in Tampa. In 2001, now single, he dropped his teenage daughter off at the barn—where he met Amanda.“He saw me at my sweaty best,” Amanda groaned. “I was taking a riding lesson on one of those blistering hot Florida days when you practically have to peel your britches off.” “And don’t forget the helmet hair,” Ian chimed in with a laugh. After crossing paths repeatedly, Amanda finally suggested they get together sometime. “How about Saturday night?” Ian asked. “I already have a date,” she replied. “Then how about Sunday?” When Ian arrived to pick her up, he caught sight of a polished, elegant woman through the glass front door. “I thought I had the wrong house,” he said. “This couldn’t be the sweaty girl from the barn!” Amanda laughed as she recalled his first words when she opened the door: “Well, you certainly clean up well!” They dated for two years and married in 2004.
For 25 years, Amanda worked from home as a Clinical Research Project Manager for Merck focusing primarily on Oncology trials. Ian served as a Manufacturing Consultant, contributing his expertise at gold mines, oil and gas facilities, medical device firms, and an array of other companies throughout South Africa, Australia, Türkiye, China, Indonesia, the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Upon inquiry regarding the number of countries in which he had resided or been employed, he reported a total of thirty-three. Amanda has traveled widely; with her parents, as a child, starting with a world cruise at the age of three; together, they have visited Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Europe, much of the Caribbean, and the U.K., and enjoyed riding in Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Ireland, and England. They are both happily retired now with free time to log in some more airline miles.
A visit to England one Christmas ignited their interest in fox hunting. While staying with relatives in the northeast, they encountered a Boxing Day meet in a nearby village. They followed along—on foot and by car—as is customary in the U.K.“I can still hear the sound of the horses trotting down the village road after the riders enjoyed a stirrup cup outside the local pub,” Amanda said. “There’s nothing quite like it.”
Their move to North Carolina began with Amanda’s declaration one sweltering Florida afternoon: “We’re moving.” “What?” Ian asked. “We are moving. I want four seasons, cooler weather, and mountains.” Amanda, tired of Florida's humidity, and after growing up in the dry desert, wanted a change – no longer interested in retiring in Florida. She pointed to a map. “Let’s find some mountains.” They settled in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina and connected with realtor Ron Piccari, who specialized in horse properties (and shared the same first name as Amanda’s father). A full horse farm was not practical given their travel and work schedules, so they chose Lake Adger, a rural community in Mill Spring, just 20-25 minutes from TIEC, Landrum, Tryon, and Columbus.
Amanda boarded her horse with Ron, who soon invited them to a Tryon Hounds hunt breakfast at Bonnie Lingerfelt’s home in late 2016.
Not yet sure if they wanted to hunt, they joined Tryon Hounds and Green Creek Hounds as social members to build community connections. After attending multiple hunt breakfasts, they decided to remain social members with Tryon Hounds. “It was the best thing we ever did,” Amanda said. “Tryon Hounds has become a huge part of our social life, and we have made life-long friends here.”
Amanda later served on the Board, helped organize multiple Barn Tours, and has spent years on the Hunt Ball committee. Ian now serves on the Board as well. They both appreciate that Tryon Hounds maintains a traditional style reminiscent of English hunts. Ian—who enjoys pheasant and quail shooting—notes the stark contrast between American and British hunting and shooting traditions. Hunters and shooters in England usually dress in formal clothing rather than camouflage because camo gear is prohibited. “Our friends here understand this tradition,” Ian said, “and you can see it reflected in the turnout during hunt season.”
Amanda’s first hunt with Tryon Hounds took place when Louise Houston was one of the Masters. “Louise was known for her attention to perfection. I was a nervous wreck—worried whether my saddle pad was white enough or my tack shiny enough.” To her relief, she passed muster and has continued to hunt periodically as a social member.
Ian fondly remembers riding in Ireland on a big draft horse named Luke. “He made me feel confident,” he said. “If I could find a horse like that here, maybe I’d hunt with Amanda.” Two years ago, they leased horses for Opening Meet, and Ian enjoyed his first hunt. “I freely admit I’m a princess when it comes to horses,” he joked. “Give me a horse all polished and ready to go, and I’ll hand you the keys when we’re done.”
Over the years, Amanda has participated in hunts with a range of leased and borrowed horses.She plans to join Ian for the Opening Meet and attend more hunts this year. Meanwhile, they volunteer at social events and fundraisers like the Centennial Art Show and Gala, and value friendships within the Tryon Hounds and Lake Adger community.