It was two hours before dawn as we mounted up and headed out across the marsh. It would be a 4 mile ride to the island (a small wooded area) that we were to hunt that day. It was a small hunt, with only 10 huntsman. Each huntsman had two Borzoi in the slips. It was a frosty morning and everyone was excited about the hunt to come. The sun was just coming up as we reached the island. This was a dryer area, with large grassy fields for the runs. The huntsman quickly surrounded the island, each equal distance from the other.

   Daybreak was upon us and the time had come for the hunt to begin. The beaters with the Goutchies (foxhounds) moved into the woods. The Borzoi became very alert as the Goutchies began to howl. It was only a few moments before the first hare broke from cover. My hounds jumped forward hitting the end of the slip lead as the hare came towards us. When the hare was far enough from cover I slipped the Borzoi. The whir of the leather lead sliding through the steel rings of the collars, and the rustling of the Borzoi passing through the grass were the only sounds. As soon as the end of the slip lead cleared the collars, I was off in pursuit of the hounds. My male Borzoi was the first to reach the hare. As he came closer to it he reached down to try and make the take but the hare darted to the side and the Borzoi went on past. The little female was close behind and she stuck to the hare forcing it to turn, first left and then right. The hare turned again and again, but the Borzoi stayed close. Then all of the sudden the little female but on a great burst of speed and as she over took the hare she reached down and grabbed the hare. Both the Borzoi and hare rolled over and over in the grass. Then the little female stood with her prize and proudly trotted over to me as I dismounted. I praised both of the hounds for the work they had done. I then tied the hare to my saddle and slipped the lead back through the rings on the collars. We then moved quickly back to our position to await the next hare or if we were lucky a fox.
 
 

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