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