The steeple chase (less often the steeple chase ; Eng. Steeple-chase ) is initially a cross-country jump to a predetermined point, for example, a prominent bell tower from afar ( Eng. Steeple ).
The steeple chase was first played in England in 1792 at a distance of 8 miles (about 13 km). Steeplechase is currently being played at hippodromes or specially equipped terrain with artificial field-type fixed obstacles: twigs, earthen ramparts, fences, hedges, as well as dry and water-filled ditches, etc.
Horses of 4 years are allowed to steeple chzu - at a distance of 1600 to 3200 m, older ones - at a distance of 4500-7000 m. As a rule, horses who did not show outstanding abilities in 2 and 3 years on smooth racing (without obstacles). The most difficult steeples are considered the Big ( Liverpool ) national and the Big Pardubice ( Czech Republic ). In Russia, the steeple chase is played at a distance of 4,000-6,000 m for thoroughbred horses or, which is much less common, various cross-breeds of thoroughbred horses with other riding breeds. Horses participating in the steeple chase are called stipplers, just like their jockeys . A stapler horse never engages in a smooth jump. She is trained specifically for racing with obstacles. A jockey-stippler also very rarely sits on a horse participating in smooth racing.
One of the most famous jockeys-stipplers is Briton Tony McCoy , who in one season of 2001-2002 won 289 hurdles. In total, from 1992 to 2002, he won 2211 hurdles and for this achievement was listed in the Guinness Book of Records .
Content
Competition
Cheltenham Gold Cup
This steeple chase has been held since 1924 in England and is one of the most significant steeplechase in the world. The distance of this jump is 5200 m, 22 barriers in the form of hedges and barriers from brushwood are located at a distance. The most famous horse of this steeple chase was a stallion named Golden Miller, who for five consecutive years was invincible on this steeple chase (from 1932 to 1936). Another famous horse of this steepleschaz is the famous Arkle , who won this steepleschaz three times, each time leaving his rivals far behind. Since then, a monument to this outstanding winner has been standing at the Cheltenham Racecourse.
Liverpool Steeplechase
This, the longest in length, the most difficult in terms of conditions, the oldest and most prestigious steeplechase on the planet, the British call Grand National. For the first time this steeplechase took place in February 1836. It takes place annually every first Saturday of April near Liverpool in the small town of Aintree at the eponymous racetrack. The Grand National distance is 7250 m, the number of barriers is 30, the height of the barriers is about 1.5 m. The race is divided into two circles, 14 out of 16 barriers located in a circle, horses overcome twice, the two remaining horses jump when approaching the finish line. Start take up to 40 horses. The most famous horse of the Liverpool Grand National is considered the bay stallion Red Ram , the legend of the English race with obstacles. This horse started five times in this steeple chase, three times was the first, and twice the second. The Red Ram Monument stands at the Aintree Racecourse.
Pardubice Steeplechz
The Greater Pardubice Steeplechase is the second most important steeplechase after Liverpool, but just as difficult and difficult. This steeple chase was established by the Czech count Zdenko Kinski after he became the winner of the Liverpool steeple chase. It was first held in 1874 in the small Czech town of Pardubice , for which it received its name. The Pardubice Steeplechase is held every second Saturday of October, often in the autumn rain, which adds complexity to horses and jockeys. The distance of the Pardubice Steeple Chase is 6900 m, the fourth part of the route runs along a plowed field, which turns into a thick viscous slurry in the rain. At a distance of 30 obstacles, of which twenty-seven must be overcome twice. In the Pardubice Steeple Chase, Soviet horsemen took an active part.
For three consecutive years (1957-1959), the purebred stallion from the USSR, Epigraph (Elbgraf-Gassira), under the saddle of Vladimir Fedin and then Vladimir Prakhov, became the winner in Pardubice. Other Soviet horsemen also won here: twice in the first place was Grifel with Ivan Avdeev (1960-1961). In 1962, Gaba and his jockey Rostislav Makarov became the winners. In 1967, the jump was won by Dresden and his jockey Alexander Sokolov. In 1987, Nikolai Khludenyov on Eros won this steeplechaz for the last time for the USSR. In addition to purebred riding horses, horses of the Budyonnovsky breed also participated here. So, in 1964, the stallion of this breed Priboy (Bezh - Paranja) with jockey Valentin Gorelkin became the winner.
In 1993, the Budyonnovsky Rigoletto, and in 1994 also the Budyonnovsky Erudite under the saddle of the Czechs also became winners here. Three times in 1981-1983, the purebred stallion Sagar from the USSR, but under the saddle of a Czech jockey, became the winner in Pardubice. Another three-time winner of the Pardubice Steeples Chase was the stallion Zheleznik and his jockey from Czechoslovakia, Jozsef Vanya in 1988-1990. The main character of the Pardubice steeples-chez is the stallion Korok, born in 1962. from Slovakia , who won three times in Pardubice under the saddle of the jockey Vaclav Holupka. He first started in this steeplechase in 1969 and won, far ahead of his rivals. In 1970, he refused to jump one of the obstacles and did not reach the finish line, but in 1971 he started for the third time in Pardubice and won again. The last victory of a unique stallion took place in 1972. [one]
Other famous steeplechases of the planet are
- Steeple Chase in Otto (France)
- Maryland Steeplechase (USA)
- Colonial Cup in Camden, USA , South Carolina
Steeplechase in Russia
In Russia, barrier jumps are very few. The largest Russian steeple chezes are the Epigraph prize for four-year-old horses and older than a purebred riding breed at a distance of 4000 m and the Great All-Russian steeple chez for horses of the same breed six years and older at a distance of 6000 m. Both steeple chezes are held at the Pyatigorsk hippodrome .
Notes
- β There are conflicting opinions regarding Kokrok. On the one hand, it is believed that this phenomenal horse had the left front leg shorter than the others from birth, the hoof is deformed, therefore this stallion moved, galloped and overcame the most difficult obstacles on only three legs. On the other hand, there is photo-documentary evidence that the stallion used all four limbs. For example, in the book of B. Almazov, βFarewell and hello horses,β in the chapter on the steeple chez there is a photograph of Korok at the finish, in the phase of leaning on the leading leg (left front). In addition, the photo shows a completely ordinary gallop.
Literature
- Livanova T. Horses. - M .: AST, 2004 .-- ISBN 5-17-005955-8 .
- Watson M., Lyon R., Montgomery S. Horses. - M .: Profizdat, 2001. - ISBN 978-5-255-01406-4 .