Hunting over farmland during the winter months has centuries of tradition behind it across West Wales and usually reaches its climax with the popular point to point steeplechase meeting, for which every horse which has taken part in a meet will have qualified.

Last weekend, the Tivyside and Carmarthenshire Hunts pooled their resources for a well-supported race programme held over the Lydstep course.

The Teify Valley Country, together with parts of Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, was hunted from the early 1700s and first officially registered in 1736, when its headquarters were at the Black Lion Hotel in Cardigan and permission to use the Prince of Wales feathers as an emblem was granted by one of the Hanoverian princes in the 18th century, following a magnificent day's hunting.

The Hunt ran continuously from 1815 to 1926, when there was a break, and was re-started in 1937 as the Tivyside Farmers, but hounds had again to be disposed of in 1950 leading to a fresh start in 1954.

This year, the Carmarthenshire Hunt is celebrating 125 years since its formation and a new book has recently been published by a former Hunt Master entitled The Carmarthenshire Hunt - A History written by Edwin Atkins.

The afternoon's racing saw local jockey Jodie Hughes ride two winners: A 14-year-old favourite, Sir du Bearn, and the eight-year-old bay gelding, Mister Bricolage, both for young trainer, Mickey Bowen and, in the Men's Open another betting favourite, Bob's Law, under Cearan Gettings was the only finisher.

Results:

Hunt Members (sponsored by Tessa and Jeffrey Griffiths and Mike Brown) - 1. Kisha King (Elen Nicolais) evens fav, 2. Milled (Emma Mosely), 3. Redbridge Rebel (Richard Patrick). Four ran.

Non-Rules Runners Maiden (Garlands Event Catering) - 1. Master Ally (Bradley Gibbs) 5-1, 2. Brideberry (Matthew Barber), 3. Northgeorge (Will Gordon). Eight ran.

Ladies' Open (K. and E. Gravell and Oliver Jones, Farrier) - 1. Sir du Bearn (Jodie Hughes) 4-6f, 2. Highly Unlikely (Charlotte Evans), 3. Teenage Kicks (Steph Rogers). Three ran.

Men's Open (Marks Country Kitchen and Gegin Fach y Wlad) - 1. Bob's Law (Cearan Gettings) 1-3f finished alone. Four ran.

Open Maiden (David Rees) - 1. A Country Mile (Matthew Barber) 6-4jf, 2. Joshella (John Mathias), 3. Which Sky (Will Gordon). Five ran.

Restricted (Tafarn Sinc, Rosebush) - 1. Mister Bricolage (Jodie Hughes) 4-6f, 2. Dream Bolt (John Mathias), 3. Paddy (Jason Kiley). Four ran.

Area Club Members (Victoria Pearse, Carmarthen) - 1. Harpsy Cord (John Mathias) 7-4, 2. Nishay (Bradley Gibbs), 3. Lydstep Hills (Charlotte Evans). Five ran.

The card was completed with two keenly contested pony races.

The next point to point at Lydstep will be the West Wales Area Club meeting on Sunday, May 24, with the first race at 2 pm.