With all runners having to qualify in the tradition of hunting over farmland during the winter months, the season usually reaches its climax with the popular point to point steeplechase meeting but, unfortunately, the Cilwendeg circuit, near Boncath, is still unavailable.

For a very well-supported afternoon’s racing, on a beautiful, but chilly spring day, the Tivyside and Carmarthenshire Hunts again pooled their resources for a race programme held over the attractive Lydstep course.

The Teify valley country from Clynderwen northwards, together with parts of Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, has a tradition of hunting going back well over 300 years and remains a popular pastime with a growing following.

The last meeting of the season in West Wales will be the Pembrokeshire Hunt event at Trecoed, Letterston on Saturday, June 4, with the first race at 2 pm. In the meantime, the Tivyside followers have their Hunter trials at Pantyderi on Saturday, May 21, and Carmarthenshire plan their summer Hunt Ball at Broadway Country House, Laugharne, on Friday, July 8.

Results:

Members and Farmers (sponsors: Tessa and Jeffrey Griffiths and Oliver Jones) - 1. Qalinas (John Mathias) 1- 2f, 2. Fair Duchess (R Patrick), 3. Lost Glory (E R Jones), five ran.

Maiden Conditions (Garlands Event Catering) - 1. Goodnight Charlie (R. Patrick) 10 -1, 2. Pink Eyed Pedro (B. Moorcroft), 3. Ann Scott (B. Gibbs), eight ran.

Mixed Open (Gegin Fach y Wlad) - 1. See U Again Son (B. Gibbs) 6-4f, 2. Rosie’s Peacock (J. Mathias), 3. Macarthur (B. Moorcroft), eight ran.

Veteran and Novices (Tafarn Sinc) - 1. Cygnet (R. Patrick) 8-11f, 2. Highly Unlikely (L. Williams), 3. Kisha King (E. Nichols), six ran.

Open Maiden (David Rees) - 1. Glenteeneasaigh (J. Mathias) 2-1, 2. To Hell and Back (N. Robinson), seven ran, two finished.

Restricted (Subaru) - 1. Princess Tina (John Mathias) 9-2, 2. Ifyouthinkso (C. Evans), 3. Ballet Marbeless (M. Robinson), nine ran.

Club Members (Chris Thomas, Fruit and Veg and Bobby Thomas, Equestrian supplies) - 1. North George (B. Moorcroft) 7-4f, 2. Mumbles Pier (R. Patrick), 3. Mangan’s Turn (B. Gibbs), five ran.