Steeplechases as horse racing event.

Added: 12/22/2005

Steeplechases are one of the most popular and difficult horse racing competitions. They are included in horse triathlon, horse pentathlon and horse double-event competitions? programs. The traditional distance of these competitions is 6-7km with 18 massive immobile obstacles. Steeplechases are represented in Olympic Games, Europe Championships and National Cup Tournaments.

Horsemanship (the higher school of riding) ? is the art of horse controlling in different paces (step, trot, gallop, passage and others). The usual horse racing competitions are kept on the field sized 20?40 or 20?60 meters. The programs of competitions differ in complexity level and the duration of the contest. The performance is rated by 10-scored system. The Grand National prize is raffled on the Olympic Games, Europe Championships and National Competitions.

Steeplechases competition is one of the most popular horse racing competitions. Steeplechases are considered to be one of the most difficult events among horse races (the distance of the competition is 6-7 km, steeplechases are represented by 18 massive immobile obstacles with the height 14cm and width 5,5m). The distance of the most difficult steeplechase in the world is located in Liverpool (the competition takes place from 1836 in the Great Britain) represented by 7200 meters with 30 obstacles 150cm height. Another big steeplechase tournament is kept in Pardubitsk (Czechoslovakia, since 1893). Its distance is 6900 meters with 31 obstacles 150cm height and 6,5m width. The competition that is special just for steeplechases is Cheltenham Gold cup.

There are a lot of different kinds of riding that are included in different kinds of horse racing competitions. For example, jumping competitions that are widely cultivated kind of equestrian sport. Every participant of these competitions has to clear from 6 to 13 different obstacles located on certain route ? from 200 to 1100m and on special show-jumping field sized not less 75?40m. There are some classes of show-jumping: top-class, hunting class, relay-race, for choice, etc. The horseman noted for mistakes (falling, knocked down obstacles, horse disobedience, etc) is fined by special score scale. This program is included into modern horse pentathlon and is considered to be the most difficult horse competition that is included into Olympic Games, world championships (since 1953), Europe championships (since1952), Nations Prize Competitions.

The horse triathlon consists of ordinary (manege) riding, cross-country riding and jumping competition. During three days the horseman shows his program on the same horse. Ordinary (manege) riding is held on the open ground or special manege (sized 20?60m). The program includes the demonstration of exercises on major paces (step, trot and gallop). Cross-country riding is kept on the distance 23-34km, divided into 4 sections that are specially designed for road moving, steeplechases and cross. Jumping competitions: 800-1000m distance with 13 obstacles which height is not more than 120cm and ditch width up to 3,5m. The horse triathlon competitions were included into the world championships, Olympic Games, National Competitions, Europe championships and others. Horse double-event competitions are held in accordance with the rules confirmed for horse triathlon excluding only cross-country riding from the program.

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