The biggest event in Hay over Christmas!

At least a thousand followers lined the pavements of Hay to support The Golden Valley Hunt on Boxing Day, and over 60 riders were mounted on horses and ponies, some regular riders and many children for a special Christmas treat! The Boxing Day Hunt is now the busiest day in the hunting calendar.

Hay attracts larger crowds every year. People come from far and wide to support the local pack and to see the traditional spectacle of red coats and hounds. Even Father Christmas (aka Phil Gough) came out after his extremely busy Christmas Eve!

The Countryside Alliance said the attendance figures showed that far from discouraging the sport, the Government’s ban on hunting with dogs (hounds) had raised hunting’s profile and encouraged more people to take part. A spokesman for the Alliance said that numbers have been consistently good since the ban came into force.

A lot of people didn’t know or care about hunting before, but since the Hunting Act has been in the news many people have thought they will go along to see what all the fuss is about!

The hounds led the field out on the Brecon Road past Gym and Tonic and The Swan at Hay and many followers with vehicles were up on the hills to watch the hounds at work following the trails, which eventually took the field all the way to the top of Velindre. Again, as with the Hunt Breakfast Meet at Painscastle, the field had another pleasant day of sport until it got dark.

If you would like to see more photos from the Boxing Day Meet, please visit my website www.clarewilliamsphotography.com click on Webstore and scroll down.  Happy Browsing and a Happy New Year to you all.