First-year entry Maxim hits walkup homer in the ninth with two out. / Alivia Cotter photoNew huntsman, new members, and new hound entries made for a memorable season’s start for the Tennessee Valley Hunt. The first cubhunt open to subscribers and guests took place on Saturday, September 17, from Frank and Cyndie Niceley’s Riverplains Farm. It was Andy Bozdan‘s first open hunt with Tennessee Valley as huntsman, and the morning was filled with warm greetings from all who have anxiously awaited his arrival all summer.
Hounds were ready to hunt, and hunt they did! Assisted by Grosvenor Merle-Smith, MFH, Andy drew the cornfield behind the Nicelely’s home, and they struck almost immediately. An unsuspecting coyote took off through the cornfield toward the polo fields with hounds in hot pursuit.
Hounds chased the coyote for more than two hours. They cornered him several times along the banks of the river. Finally, it was Maxim, a dog pup out of Marvel by Rebock, who dispatched the coyote. As this is his first season, Maxim will clearly be one hound to watch!
London-born Bozdan just arrived in the States from Australia, where he was hunting the Barwon foxhounds. It was a struggle negotiating the immigration process, but the Tennessee Valley Hunt Masters—Carla Hawkinson, Grosvenor and Rosie Merle-Smith, Gretchen Pelham, and Sandy Beall—are finally breathing easy and looking forward to a great season.
Posted September 21, 2011
Maxim (top center) holds coyote at bay (bottom center) before delivering coup de grace. / Grosvenor Merle-Smith photo