| The History of Steeplechase Horse Racing | | | | sponsors vie with each other for sponsorship of |
| The sport of Steeplechase racing dates back to | | | | the events. It attracts the best talent for horses, |
| 1752 in Ireland when two, half-crocked, friends | | | | horse owners, and riders and also raises millions of |
| settled the argument over who owned the best | | | | dollars in charities. Thus it also attracts the most |
| horse by racing to the nearest Church steeple | | | | powerful and the influential men and women. If |
| after returning from Fox hunting. The winner | | | | you have seen Pretty Woman, you pretty much |
| actually rode right through the church where the | | | | have got the idea. |
| vicar was holding a solemn funeral. Soon | | | | Some of the oldest and the most prestigious |
| steeplechase racing spread to England, where in | | | | steeplechase horse racing events are Montpelier |
| 1792, the first recorded race was held. This sport | | | | Hunt Races, which was started on the estates of |
| then crossed over from the Atlantic to the US, | | | | Former President James Madison since 1929. For |
| where it has became very popular. | | | | more information you can visit their site |
| In the early 19th century nine prominent men | | | | Others are The American Grand National that |
| from New York - August Belmont, H. DeCourcy | | | | began in 1899 and the The National Hunt Cup in |
| Forbes, Samuel S. Howland, James O. Green, | | | | Radnor, Pa., which was started in 1909. |
| Frederick Gebhard, A.J. Cassatt, Foxhall P. Keene, | | | | For more information on steeplechase racing |
| John G. Follansbee and Frederick H. Prince founded | | | | across the country, you can visit which lists all the |
| the National Association for Steeplechase. When it | | | | races, their schedules and the prize monies. |
| was first founded, its mission was to make the | | | | In Virginia, you can visit the Virginia Steeplechase |
| sport popular in the US and help it grow across | | | | Association at |
| the Atlantic. For membership details and other | | | | The big races in Virginia are The Virginia Gold Cup, |
| small tidbits about the Association, you can visit | | | | The FoxField Races at Charlottesville, Fairfax Hunt |
| their website at | | | | races at Great Falls, Middleburg Spring races at |
| Steeplechase races are held at 12 states across | | | | Middleburg, Montpelier Hunt Races at Montpelier |
| the country and the cumulative purses for these | | | | Station, Morven Park Steeplechase Races at |
| events are $5 million annually. The horse races are | | | | Leesburg and the Mountaineer Chest Track in |
| a place to see and be seen at. It's seen across | | | | Chester. |
| the country by millions of fans and admirers and | | | | You can also visit these websites for further |
| is a major sponsored event where corporate | | | | information on racing in Virginia. |