Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Steeplechase


For anyone not in the know, steeplechases are horse races that are on the turf, usually several miles long and often include large fences. They were started in the UK where the horse and riders would race from church steeple to church steeple, across hills and fields, jumping whatever obstacles came into their paths. This is my final post from the Willowdale Steeplechase (the first two covered the pony races and other festivities).



Riders up, goggles down.


Would you believe they have breathe right type nasal strips for horses?


Blue jockey in the paddock.


Warming up a nice grey thoroughbred.


"See, it's not that high. Just watch out for that big ditch on the other side!"


Approaching the start.
They don't start in a gate like flat track races.


A jockey falls right in front of me in the second race. I was too startled to get a good photo!





Up, up and away!



Thanks for going to the races with me!

11 comments:

Zan Asha said...

Wow, great stuff! Love all of the pictures of your event!

Gary Keimig said...

nice horse photography.

Paint Girl said...

Awesome pictures! Wow! Loved it!
I have never been to a steeple chase, thanks for sharing with us!

Rosanne said...

Thanks for taking us to the races with you! You capture such great shots. I have always wanted a steel gray dappled horse...

Linda said...

I would love, love, love to see that in real life. The flat tracks aren't near as challenging--and the races are so short--the Steeplechase looks like it has so much more variety.

Linda said...

Of course, if I was to ever compete in one of those events--I'd never leave the course. They'd just have to bury me at one of the steeples, after I fell off my horse jumping one of the hedgerows you have pictured. :)

Jennifer Rose said...

the power these horses have is insane! its interesting to see the difference in the look of them tho compared to here. The steeple chase horses I've seen here look like really thick legged thoroughbreds, or draft crosses, bit bigger then the ones here. either way big powerful horses!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh thank you so much for sharing - stunning photos! Hugs, Sarah

Meghann said...

Great shots! I'd be scared to watch a steeplechase in case someone came off - I'd probably go running up to see if they were okay and then get trampled or something :s

Kathleen Coy said...

Wow, LOVE the photos, that grey is gorgeous!!!

Thanks for sharing all the great pictures you took that day! :-)

Mary Uhles said...

i really enjoyed this post, these are great shots!