Steeplechase 101

The first steeplechase courses were often over rough terrain, which meant that horse and rider were forced to deal with whatever unforeseen obstacles might be in their path. The only goal being to get to the steeple first. Both horse and rider had to be very skilled, and able to jump, wade water, and cleverly maneuver their way to the finish line. Needless to say, it was a dangerous. As the sport progressed, however, the basic steeplechase course evolved into a pre-determined route, with reasonable obstacles, and a set length difficult and dangerous proposition.

Steeplechase: A race for thoroughbred horses over jumps. Everyone knows flat racing, and the concept is the same here except the race includes fences to jump

Steeplechase Horse: Most have been raced on the flat before being converted to steeplechasing. The best steeplechasers combine speed and jumping ability.

Steeplechase Jockey: "Jump" jockeys are bigger (roughly 140 pounds compared to 110 pounds) than their flat counterparts, but do the same job.

Steeplechase Start: Steeplechase races don't start from a gate. Instead, horses are lined up in post position order and start from a standstill or a walk.

Maiden: A horse that has never won a race. In steeplechasing, a horse that has won on the flat is still a steeplechase maiden, meaning even a talented horse would "start over" as a maiden in steeplechasing.