As we enter the 2026/27 season, where hunt staff, masters and other hunt officials either take on new positions on 1 May or reflect on their time in a role which they’ve since retired or moved on from, we look at the dedication of Brian Hughes MFH, now in his early seventies, who is entering his 26th season as master of the Llangeinor Pentyrch Hunt.

Brian’s life in hunting began at just eight years old, when he was given his first pony. Soon after came his first meet - an experience that left a lasting impression. From that moment on, he was hooked.

As soon as he was old enough, Brian immersed himself fully in the hunt. By 15, having left school, he was hunting regularly - often twice a week. As a farrier he was self-employed, which gave him the freedom to attend midweek meets, an opportunity he has embraced ever since.

His long-standing commitment to the Llangeinor Hunt is evident in the extent of his service. Now entering his 26th season as master and field master, Brian has devoted much of his life to the hunt. During this time, he also served as chairman for 12 years - an impressive achievement within a system that re-elects officials every two years. In addition, he has been a committee member since the age of 18, reflecting both his dedication and the respect he has for the hunting community.

Brian has also made a significant contribution to hound breeding, an area he has been involved in for around 30 years. In the early days, the hunt worked closely with neighbouring packs such as the Gelligaer Farmers Hunt, known for their strong Welsh hound lines. However, Brian and the hunt staff made a deliberate decision to introduce English bloodlines every other year, adding drive and variation to the pack.

This approach led them to breed with packs in Pembrokeshire and, notably, the Beaufort, from which they sourced some exceptional hounds. These bloodlines proved highly successful, influencing the quality of the pack for many years.

Reflecting on his early days, Brian speaks warmly of the characters who shaped the hunt. Many were older farmers who would join for a short time before retiring to the pub, but whose presence - and stories -left a lasting impression.

Over the years, there have been countless memorable days in the field. One stands out in particular: a demanding run near Bridgend that covered seven or eight miles across testing terrain - country that requires both pace and stamina from horse and rider alike.

Beyond the field, Brian has been an active supporter of the Countryside Alliance since before the introduction of hunting legislation. He has attended numerous protests and marches, including in London and Cardiff, and even travelled to Scotland to demonstrate when hunting was banned there ahead of England and Wales.

“I have had the privilege of knowing Brian Hughes for a quarter of a century, since before my time at the Countryside Alliance,” said Rachel Evans, Director of Countryside Alliance Wales.

“Brian, along with his wife Mair, have been the faces of hunting at game fairs, hound shows and marches, consistently defending and promoting the hunting community and the rural way of life.

“Indeed, he was one of the very first people I approached for a chat when I started at the Alliance, and he remains my go-to person for sound knowledge of hunting, hounds, and good old-fashioned, no-nonsense advice. Brian’s contribution to hunting in Wales and beyond the border has been immense, deeply embedded in hunting communities, and long may it continue as we face future challenges. My warmest congratulations to Brian Hughes MFH.”

For Brian, hunting has never been just about the physical aspect of it. It is about community, tradition and continuity - values that have shaped his life from that first pony at eight years old to his enduring role within the hunt today.