Families are always looking for something to do during the holidays and this coming Easter Monday (April 10), Lydstep racecourse, just outside Tenby has a Point to Point meeting, providing the perfect day out for all the family.
Point to Pointing is amateur horse racing over jumps and has long been a tradition in South Pembrokeshire.
This year will see 75 years at Lydstep, the first meeting having been held there in 1948. Racing resumed last year after a two year break due to Covid. It was a great day, enjoyed by a bumper crowd, in lovely sunshine.
The Point to Point course at Lydstep is one of the few courses where you can not only watch the racing, but enjoy the spectacular sea view, or look out over the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside.
Thanks to the cooperation of the farmers, in recent weeks, the farmland has been turned into a racecourse, by a band of volunteers.
Fences have been built and the ground prepared in order to provide the best possible conditions for the horses.
The team of helpers is lead by the Committee chairman. After 15 years in the chair, Haydn Mathias has passed the reins to David Llewellyn, but is still very much involved.
Both will have horses running on Easter Monday – David’s will be ridden by his son, Harry, following the family tradition – David was a successful Point to Point rider and his brother, Carl is well known for winning the Grand National twice. Haydn is part of the “Just the Wan” syndicate – along with other members of the Point to Point Committee.
Other South Pembs residents who will be cheering their horses on include - Richard Huxtable, Alan ‘Chick’ Brown, John Mathias, Malcolm Price and Trevor Nicholas.
Trevor, having recently celebrated his 100th birthday, must be one of the country’s oldest owners. He and Malcolm own the Hitdroadjack and Trevor hopes to be at Lydstep on Easter Monday to watch him run.
The six race card will start with the Members’ Race – where local horses do battle to win the coveted prize.
Horses from all over the country are eligible to run in all of the other races - The Ladies and Mens Open races are for experienced horses.
The two Maiden races (for horses which have never won a race) provide an opportunity for less experienced horses to win for the first time.
Over the years, Lydstep has been graced by many talented riders, some of whom are now forging successful careers as professional jockeys.
These include Amroth born Lorcan Williams, and Pembrokeshire born Alan Johns, Richard Patrick and the Bowen brothers, James and Sean. Not to mention other Welsh lads, Jack Tudor, Ben Jones and Conor Brace.
Who knows what budding stars will be amongst this year’s pony racing competitors – the youngsters will line up for the pony races and experience the thrill of racing – some of them for the first time.
The Committee is always very grateful for the support of local businesses and individuals who kindly offer sponsorship, without whom, it would not be possible to stage the meeting.
Bookmakers, as always, will be in attendance, there will be on course catering and a licensed bar available, but if you’d like to bring your own that is no problem, picnics are very welcome.
Weather permitting, there will be a bouncy castle to entertain the young. Live music from The Flyrites, after racing will entertain the “young at heart”.
So come along on Easter Monday and soak up the exciting atmosphere that goes with a day at the races.
A further meeting is planned at Lydstep this year – on Saturday, April 22, so plenty of opportunity to enjoy the thrills and spills of racing right on your doorstep this spring!
The course is easily found along the A4139 with SA70 7SG for the Sat Nav and What 3 Words: BRISTLES/ SHAKES/ASTERISK.
Admission is £12.50 per person (cash only) and free for children under 16. Early Bird e- tickets are also available for £11 on pointtopoint.co.uk or via the link from the Facebook page Cresselly Point to Point.
Should you require further information please contact Jan Mathias on 07866310272.
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