365 Days in Horse Country – Steeplechase
The sport of
steeplechase is one of the most exciting and dramatic of all equine
sports. First conceived in Ireland in
the 1800s, the sport got its name from the very first race that took place in a
part of the countryside where church steeples were the tallest landmarks.
Today, steeplechasing is the most popular in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Ireland. The horses used in this sport are Thoroughbreds, and nearly all of them come from flat racing.
Steeplechase races are similar to flat races except the horses are expected to go over hurdles as they make their way to the finish line. In the United States, one-day race meets take place mostly in the spring and fall.
The races are 2 to 1 ½ miles (3.2 to 4 km) long on turf, and include 11 to 12 jumps. Steeplechase jumps in the United States can either be National Fences, which measures 52 inches (1.3 m) in height, or timber jumps made of posts and rails at varying heights. Fence types and heights vary in other parts of the world where steeplechases are conducted, which is primarily England and Australia.
Steeplechase races are exciting to watch, but falls and spills are common. The courage of both the horse and riders in these events is peerless.
Michael