By South Florida standards, Jan. 7 was a cold morning, at 47 degrees, when the members and guests of the Palm Beach Hounds gathered at 7:30 a.m. at the Quailands territory to open the 27th season of hunting.

The whips gathered the hounds and proceeded down Stirrup Cup Ln., led by The Royal Palm Highlanders, a pipe and drum corps, dressed in traditional kilts. The horses were mesmerized by the sounds as the riders enjoyed a classic moment.

A family illness kept Rick Sapir, former MFH, from hunting the hounds as planned.