The Alem Slipjacht (Trail Hunt)

Wednesday morning, December 31st, 2025, 9:30 AM in Alem, the Netherlands: frost blankets the fields, and the village remains quiet in the year's final hours. Yet inside the local pub, energy builds as riders gather for the annual Alem Slipjacht (Trail Hunt)—a longstanding local tradition.

Outside, horses stamp impatiently in trailers while hounds bark with anticipation. By 11:00 AM, the event begins: enthusiastic hounds lead the way as horses and riders embark on a two-hour journey through fields surrounding Alem, following a pre-laid trail along the Maas River. The “slipjacht” is a drag hunt tradition where hounds follow an artificial scent trail rather than pursuing live prey.

This was my first time photographing the Alem Slipjacht, presenting a unique challenge: the hunt moved by horse while I was on foot. Despite this disadvantage, capturing this tradition proved rewarding.

This collection presents the event through both color and black-and-white photography, along with a virtual exhibition format for immersive viewing.

Topics