Roberta started riding as a child, took a break after a bad car accident injury and then started up again in her late twenties. She met Dean on a trail ride in the Carolinas where they became fast friends, eventually marrying and moving to Caroland Farms which is where the couple became familiar with Tryon Hounds. They became social members in 1994 and then elected to become riding members the following year. Who knew that Tennessee Walking horses would make such good hunt horses! Dean and Roberta were valued members of the hunt and as a result were awarded their “Colors” in 1997.
Roberta’s first job as a Field Master was to guide the Hilltoppers, which she thoroughly enjoyed and did for many years. When she started riding Dean’s Thoroughbred “Flashman”, a bold jumper, she was asked to lead a new Second Flight on Saturdays where jumps are optional. Another wonderful and rewarding experience! One of her main objectives in this role was to bring along riders who wanted to go faster than the Hilltoppers but were not quite ready to move up to First Flight where jumps are not optional, and they must keep up with the Huntsman.
Bonnie Lingerfelt and former Master Louise Huston, noticed Roberta's incredible organizational skills as she was working on a work project during an airport layover and in 2004 asked her to be the Honorary Secretary. Anyone who has hunted with Tryon Hounds has no doubt met and provided Roberta with copies of NC and SC hunting licenses, a negative Coggins test and the required release forms – mandatory for riders before hunt season begins. For the new hunt club members and guests, Roberta is a key member of the hunt staff and is your “go-to” person for any hunting related questions. You can find her in the hunt field ensuring guests meet the Huntsman and Masters and she also collects the required documents and capping fees. Her other responsibilities include maintaining a roster of those hunting and the days hunted and she also provides a report at the annual meeting. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Roberta at any of our upcoming events – she is a wealth of knowledge, and we don’t know what we would do without her.