Mill Spring, NC – July 20, 2017 - Tryon Resort welcomes Kathryn C. McMahon, former Executive Director of the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TRHC), as the new Director of Community Engagement. McMahon will develop volunteer recruitment, training and management initiatives for both ongoing needs at Tryon Resort and for the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. She will also design and execute an outreach program for the surrounding region as well as coordinate planning for two annual steeplechase events, including ticket sales, community engagement, and volunteer management.

McMahon says that her four-year tenure at Tryon Riding & Hunt Club, especially in the areas of event planning, fundraising, and volunteer management, has prepared her to take on this new challenge. “It was a rewarding experience to learn, in depth, the running of their annual steeplechase, horse shows, and horse trials,” she said. “The Tryon Block House Races is the largest event in Polk County, often drawing up to 15,000 spectators. An event of that size takes a lot of support, and I was the only paid employee, so my teams consisted of highly motivated volunteers. Recruiting, training, and managing volunteers for all of our annual equestrian events is a skill set that has helped prep me for this new role as Director of Community Engagement, especially for the upcoming WEG.”

Once an avid horsewoman, McMahon has ridden hunt seat for the most part, including at Sweet Briar College under Paul Cronin and at Claremont Stables in Central Park. While living in Charlottesville, Virginia, McMahon hill-topped with Keswick Hunt and “beagled a bit-that was fun!” she says. “I haven’t ridden in over ten years. Might be time to try my seat in the simulator!”

There are so many talented and successful folks from all over the U.S. who decide to retire to the Tryon area because of their love for the equestrian lifestyle, says McMahon. “Once they get here, many want to know how they can be a part of the community and give back. Well, I can tell you, volunteering is the answer!  I am amazed every day by volunteers’ wealth of knowledge and experience. Our events run on volunteer-power, and I love working with and learning from volunteers.”

Tryon Resort Chief Operations Officer Sharon Decker is enthusiastic about McMahon’s role on the team.

“We are thrilled to have Kathryn join our team and manage our growing need for volunteers and community relations,” said Decker. “Kathryn’s experience is the ideal fit for managing this role for us.”

McMahon hopes to offer support to the managers and directors of Tryon Resort by providing interns and volunteers who will in turn greatly benefit from their experiences at TIEC, she says. “There are many moving parts in the daily operations of Tryon Resort, and so much to learn! Internships and volunteer positions provide valuable opportunities for knowledge and growth, which often translate into college credit, a resume boost, and even employment. More than that, it’s incredibly rewarding knowing that you played a part in the mentoring of an intern or volunteer.”

McMahon recently married Casey McMahon, and the pair have two Pekingese puppies, Leah and Lilah. They have purchased a home in Rutherfordton and are now spending all of their spare time with renovation projects. McMahon officially joins the Tryon Resort team in early July. Welcome, Kathryn!

For more information on Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.

Media Inquiries: Michelle McConnell Yelton, myelton@tryon.com or (828) 980-2883.