Aiken Hounds Foundation – Tradition. Education. Conservation.
501(c)(3) · EIN 82-1364665 · Gifts are tax deductible
Register now for the 2026 Aiken Hounds Foundation Fall Hunter Pace at Fox Nation
Oct. 11, 2026
Aiken Hounds Foundation – Tradition. Education. Conservation.
501(c)(3) · EIN 82-1364665 · Gifts are tax deductible
Register now for the 2026 Aiken Hounds Foundation Fall Hunter Pace at Fox Nation
Oct. 11, 2026
About Us
Fueled by the generosity of donors and the equestrian community, the Aiken Hounds Foundation works to keep our time-honored traditions within reach. By educating young equestrians and maintaining the land, we help strengthen Aiken’s shared horse and hound culture.
We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every gift is tax deductible.
Established 1996
The Aiken Hounds Foundation grew from a practical need into a lasting commitment to Aiken’s equestrian community. In 1996, Linda McLean, MFH, and her father, Northrup R. Knox, purchased ten acres of wooded land just outside the region’s storied Hitchcock Woods. They worked tirelessly to clear the area, fence it, and build a proper kennel for their foxhounds.
To hold their land for a charitable purpose and secure a permanent home for the Aiken Hounds, they established the Aiken Hounds Foundation. The organization quickly grew into something larger, guided by three intertwined principles that still lead us today: tradition, education, and conservation.
As Aiken grows, we work to keep this heritage alive and ensure it stays meaningful for the next generation of riders.
Historical details are drawn in part from the firsthand recollections of Linda McLean, former Master of Foxhounds of Aiken Hounds.
The mission of the Aiken Hounds Foundation is to preserve tradition, promote education, and advance conservation, ensuring Aiken's equestrian heritage and natural resources thrive for future generations.
Our work falls into three areas, each one serving Aiken and the people who love this sport.
Tradition is the foundation of Aiken’s horse and hound heritage and its shared inheritance. We foster a lasting appreciation for the values of the sport that are worth preserving: horsemanship, sportsmanship, stewardship, and animal care.
Education of young riders helps us carry this legacy forward. Our programs and learning opportunities introduce the next generation to horses, hounds, responsible animal care, land maintenance, and the history of Aiken’s sporting community.
Conservation protects the land our work depends on, including the forests, trails, and open spaces that shape Aiken’s sporting culture. Through stewardship and ongoing cleanup of Hitchcock Woods, we promote safe riding and healthy habitats.
Our volunteer nonprofit board of directors brings experience in equestrian sport, fox hunting history, education, and conservation that guides the Foundation and helps advance our mission. This board is supported by a committee of dedicated volunteers who lend their time and expertise to help coordinate events, manage educational programs, and assist with conservation efforts that keep our initiatives on track.
President
Steve is a retired surgeon of 38 years who has a passion for horses, fox hunting, and spending time outdoors. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, before moving south, he began hunting first with Belle Meade Hunt…
VICE President
Don Milton is an avid horseman and lifelong fox hunter with a long history of service in the equestrian and fox hunting communities. He first served as President of the Smithtown Hunt…
Secretary and Treasurer
Tara Dietrich is an elementary school teacher with 28 years of experience and a lifelong passion for horses and the traditions that surround them. She was raised in Maryland, where she grew up showing hunters…
No matter the amount, your support will help us connect riders and horse enthusiasts through shared experiences while helping preserve the land that makes it all possible.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every donation is tax deductible.