STEEPLECHASING
"Let's race to yon church steeple," suggested a returning
foxhunter 200 years ago. Now races over timber or brush fences
are held at major tracks and less formal country settings.
Steeplechasing in America
Jumping races in this country are held at major race tracks over
brush and hurdle fences. Individual fox hunts sponsor hunt race
meetings over brush, hurdles, and timber fences, as well as point-to-point
races over timber fences only.
The Jumps
Series of timber fences duplicate solid post-and-rails encountered
in the hunting field, while brush fences duplicate hedges. Races
are also run over a smaller variety of brush fences known as hurdles.
While hurdles (once used to contain flocks of sheep) are made
of brush, some courses contain water obstacles called "Liverpools"
which have a water ditch on the take-off side.
Riders
Some races are open to amateur riders. They and their professional
counterparts can be slightly larger than flat racing jockeys since
the minimum weight they must carry is 35 pounds. Few riders haven't
suffered broken bones in a sport where falls are par for the course.
The Steeplechase Saddle
Between a flat racing and forward-seat saddle in size and weight,
the steeplechase saddle provides support over and between fences.
Original Artwork by Kentucky Horse Park Artist-in-Residence, Boguslaw Lustyk.
