Andrew Sallis

Imagine if you could "design" the day's hunting of your dreams... What hounds would be hunting, where would it be and who would you take with you?

- Andrew Sallis

A LARGE field gathers at Landyke Lane at the top of the Vale of Belvoir.

I am hunting the East Sussex and Romney Marsh hounds of a decade ago – a Peterborough champion and other winners in their midst. But they are greater champions in the hunting field, modern English hounds with plenty of broken coats. They have boundless drive and enthusiasm. I had every confidence in them in any country.

I am riding Brenda, my horse of a lifetime, who could have hunted hounds by herself and is as bold as a lion.

As a boy, all masters and hunt staff were heroes. Michael Farrin and Robin Jackson, shires huntsmen of my youth, are whipping-in.

I had better be on top form, although these brilliant huntsmen were both appointed as young men to their top jobs and would have been sympathetic to any pressures. Ben Roberts and Jack Henty from Sussex are riding wide, scouting and always in the right place.

A holloa rings up through Holwell Mouth, as my mother sees the fox away towards Long Clawson and hounds cascade down into the vale.

Di Grissell is riding her beloved Apollo. They give the field a great lead away.