Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian McPhee.
Hi Ian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born raised and educated in Scotland before being commissioned in the Royal Air Force Regiment in 1973. During my service, I served in Northern Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, USA and the South Atlantic, leaving the Service as an Air Commodore (Brigadier-General) in 2005. I married, Ann, a childhood sweetheart in 1976 and we are approaching our 50th anniversary in August of this year. Following my Service, I moved to Dubai, where Ann was the Director of Education for a Dubai based educational company with responsibility for the educational development of some 50 schools world-wide. I started my own security consultancy firm with clients based throughout the Middle East, Asia and Afghanistan. Following 4 years in Dubai we move to America where Ann was the Regional Managing Director (America) for an international education company with schools throughout North Central and Latin America. I decided on a total change and entered into the equine world with the establishment of Glencairn Saddlebreds. I have 6 horses with May Chadick of Vantage Point Farm and May and her staff train and care for the horses and I compete through the length and breadth of the USA. In 2019, both my wife and myself became American citizens. I hold a MBA in International Finance , A LLM in Criminal Law and 2 PhDs( one in Politics Economics and Philosophy and the other in International Studies)
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have been extremely fortunate in my professional and private life. I had wanted to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force since I was a child of seven. I had an excellent career spanning 33 years and travelled all over the world. I could not have been more fortunate in the choice of my partner. Ann has supported me at every step, often to her disadvantage. On many occasions, I would be moved between duty stations just as Ann was eligible for promotion with the school. There was never a word of complaint about that other the 18 house we lived in during my service. Since coming to the USA, I have been able to indulge myself in my passion for my horses-once again supported by Ann (who was slightly apprehensive of horses until the arrival of ‘Tilly the Filly’. Now Ann is a frequent visitor to Vantage Point Farm
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Since residing in the Katy, I have devoted most of my time to promote the American Saddlbred Horse. The breed is roundly known as “The horse America made” or t”the peacock of the show ring”. These magnificent animal can trace their linage to the start of America. In addition to being a horse owner and breeder, I, also, serve or have served on a number of prestigious equine bodies. My involvement with the Pin Oak Horse Show began in 2009 and I joined the Board shortly afterwards. After several years, I left the Board to take up the appointment of Treasurer of the Texas American Saddlebred Horse Association (TASHA) and I have, recently, become the President of the Association. Both of these bodies have the support of charities at their heart. Pin Oak supports Texas Children’s Hospital, while TASHA supports Saddlebred Rescue and one local charity each year. In addition to these Board responsibilities, I show my Saddlebreds and Hackney pony to as wide an audience as possible.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
This is a very difficult question to answer owing to the complexity of risk. I suppose the short answer is that it depends on the likely outcome. Some people might describe my approach as pessimistic but I prefer realistic. I tend to analyze a problem, think what is the worst that can happen and plan accordingly. That way it is easier to lighten up rather than have to bear down on it at a later stage. Thought my Service career, I held several appointments where I had to manage risk. That led me to a little home spun mantra “For every decision we make there are consequences and implications”. Having thought them through…make a judgment call!
