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Racing
These are long-distance races in which horses jump obstacles at racing speed. The first horse to the finish wins.
| Group | Racing |
|---|---|
| Also called | steeplechase, hurdle racing, National Hunt racing, point-to-point |
| Olympic | no |
| Governing body | International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); national racing authorities |
| Where it is popular | Britain and Ireland together stage more than half of the world's jump races. The sport is also popular in France, the United States, Canada, Australia and the Czech Republic. |
In hurdle races horses jump fairly low, lighter hurdles, while in steeplechases they jump big, solid fences, hedges and ditches. Distances are longer than on the flat, usually three kilometres or more. Point-to-point is a separate form: amateur racing over fences on hunting horses, normally at least three miles. The first horse past the post wins.
Almost all are Thoroughbreds, usually older and bigger than flat racers. France also uses its own "French chasers", crosses between Thoroughbreds and local riding breeds.
The jockey wears a safety helmet, body protector, goggles and silks in the owner's colours. The horse carries a light racing saddle.
The most famous races are the Grand National at Aintree (England, since 1839), the Cheltenham Gold Cup (March) and the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic (second Sunday in October).
Professional jump jockeys are adults trained at racing schools. Children first need to ride and jump confidently at a riding school; in Britain young riders aged 9 to 16 can try pony racing, and adult amateurs ride point-to-point.
"Steeplechase" means a chase to a church steeple. The first recorded one took place in Ireland in 1752, when riders raced four miles from Buttevant church to the steeple at Doneraile.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, visitczechia.com