Right: Steeplechasing has been a popular spectacle since the 18th century, with one of the most famous events being England's legendary Grand National. Pictured is a 1947 painting of horses and riders at the notorious Beechers Brook water jump.Background information
(The information below is drawn from two sources - the Wikipedia entry for 'steeplechasing' which can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steeplechaseand the account of the history of steeplechasing on the Foxfield races site at http://www.foxfieldraces.com/html/steeplechaseHistory.htm)
Steeplechasing or jumps racing is a form of horse racing that involves having horses compete against each other over a track which included hurdles and sometimes other obstacles.
The first recorded steeplechase occurred in 1752 in County Cork, Ireland. Cornelius O'Callaghan and Edmund Blake engaged in a match race, covering about four and a half miles from St. John's Church at Buttevant to St. Mary1s Church in Doneraile. Church steeples were the most prominent, and tallest, landmarks on the landscape and thus the two men raced each other to St Mary's steeple.
Cross-country match races spread to England, where the first reported race involving more than two horses occurred in 1792. Steeplechasing then began to occur on established race courses.
Though it is not clear which was the earliest steeplechase in the United States, several of the oldest and most prestigious races are still run. The Maryland Hunt Cup, raced over tall post-and-rail fences, was first run in 1894. The American Grand National began in 1899. The National Hunt Cup in Radnor, Pennsylvania, dates from 1909.
Jumps racing in Australia
Australia has a long history of jumps racing which was introduced by British settlers. In the 20th century the northern states of Queensland and New South Wales phased out all jumps racing. Today only Victoria and South Australia hold steeplechases, Tasmania having ceased jumps racing as of April 2007.
The jumping season in Australia normally takes place from March until August (some minor races are held either side of these months). Horses for steeplechasing are primarily former flat racing horses, rather than horses specifically bred for jumping. There is an emphasis on safety in Australia which has led to a reduction in the size of obstacles. As jumps races take place at flat racing meetings there is also a need for portable jumps. Most chasing occurs on steeple lanes but also includes parts of the main flat racing track. From Easter to May the major distance races occur. The Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank is held on Easter Monday in South Australia drawing crowds of over 100,000. The Grand Annual, which has the most fences of any steeplechase in the world, is held in May at Warrnambool. Each state holds its own Grand National, the most prestigious is the VRC Grand National at Flemington run in the winter. The jumping season culminates with the set weights and penalties Hiskens Steeple run at Moonee Valley.