HUNDREDS of supporters attended the traditional Rockwood Harriers Boxing Day hunt in Upper Denby.
The yuletide event boasted 85 horses and riders together with 25 hounds.
The dogs and hunters, led by hunt masters Liz Sykes, Alex Tue and Christine Gallagher, assembled at The George pub, Upper Denby.
Hunting with hounds is banned so the riders and dogs chased different scent trails laid from the back of a quad bike that morning.
In between trials, riders took `pit stops' for light refreshments which enabled slower riders to catch up.
Despite the ban on hunting live animals with hounds two years ago, crowds turned out in droves.
Hunt master Christine Gallagher said: "Because of the ban on hunting we've got more people supporting us.
"It's the highlight of people's calendar. You can see that from how many people are here.
"It's a Boxing Day tradition and people feel this is the start of a new year. Many people don't see each other very often, but this is a chance for everyone to meet."
Gloomy weather failed to dampen spirits.
Mrs Gallagher added: "It's actually good for the trails. There was no wind and it was not hot so the conditions were good."
The Rockwood Harriers was founded in 1868 by Walter Norton of Denby Dale. They hunt areas of West Yorkshire with some country on the eastern side on loan from the Badsworth Hunt.
The harriers, who historically hunted hares, dress in the traditional harrier colour of hunting green with members wearing the `old gold collar' exclusive to their hunt.
More than 300,000 people are believed to have taken part in the 314 UK hunts, on what is traditionally the busiest day in the hunting calendar.
The Countryside Alliance said the record turnout proved the two-year-old ban on the blood sport was irrelevant, with hunting now more popular than ever before. Spokeswoman Charlotte Fiander said: "We think we've had a record turnout this year.
"We were expecting a big turnout as there is a lot of support for hunting across the country.
"Everyone is still going out to show their support - this ban just isn't working.
"We are seeing people who have never hunted before going out and that is certainly boosting the numbers. It just shows that this law needs to be changed."
