Steeplechase: One man's opinion

[Ogygian]

I don't like these races, mostly b/c I don't understand them. I am sure someone can fill me in on the history of these races, and why it's great to have horses jumping over obstacles while running 35-40 MPH, but I am not looking for more education or information. My one man jury is in.

Why do I despise steeplechase? Where do I begin?

First, what is up w/the start of these races? If I am going to wager on them, could we try to make the start of the race a bit more fair? To a lay person like myself, I watch the start of these races in an apoplectic state, stunned at the cavalier, arbitrary sense that everyone involved has towards this key part of the contest. The jockeys guide their horses around in an informal circle of sorts, and then, suddenly, with little warning, they start the race. Some of the horses are left 3-5 lengths, or more, on a regular basis, yet no one seems to care. This violates my competitive nature, and my need for fairness. I would rather bet on the outcome of an MLS game, or a Canadian football game, then one of these debacles. Sheer nonsense.

Shall I continue? What is up with the jumps, anyway? Why is it necessary to ask these proud animals to jump over obstacles while racing? And if you like the concept of jumping and running during a race, why stop there? Why not have large moats with hungry crocodiles for horses who don't clear the hurdle, or who fall? Why not have roaming packs of pit bulls to distract and harrass the participants? How about arming the jocks with bows and arrows to give them a chance to defeat a horse that is leading in the stretch?

Finally, I cannot be a backer of a "sport" where many of the competitors don't make it to the finish line. Has anyone seen an accident in these races? It's gruesome. I am no fan of PETA, but we certainly give these extremist groups ample ammunition to fire at our sport when we arm them w/footage like steeplechase accidents.

Just my thoughts on steeplechase.....anyone agree? Disagree? I am all ears.

[Moonwalker]

I like the bow and arrow idea! Shall they wear loin cloths and war paint, also?

Mary MMM

[Risen Star]

While I could certainly enjoy a horse like McDynamo, when he was racing, I kind of cringe when I watch the sport, especially when the horses are coming to the finish line and you can see how tired they must be. Then they still have to jump over fences. The last Steeplechase I watched looked very grueling. The horses are certainly to be praised for their courage, stamina, and strength. I believe they carry considerably more weight than horses on the flat to, somewhere in the area of 150 pounds.

Are there any Steeplechase people on this forum? Would love to have your comments and insights.

[Teri111]

I have watched one Steeplechase race and I saw two horses go down, I will never watch another one again. I don't see the sense in the races either. All I know is that I did NOT enjoy watching at all.

[Kermit]

More jockeys are hurt than horses. The horses weren't brutalized to run a 1:08 6f and die of leg fractures.
Just like a healthy human, dog or most other animals, they can jump and run and fall and get back up laughing.
Pity the jockey that has the 1,000 beast roll over on him.

It's difficult to be selective in this sport. They used to simply work horses to death, unhook them from their burden and leave them where they died.