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You are here: Home / Language / What Does the Term “Steeplechase” Mean and Where Did the Obstacle-Filled Horse Race Originate?

What Does the Term “Steeplechase” Mean and Where Did the Obstacle-Filled Horse Race Originate?

June 28, 2020 by Karen Hill

In early England, the church was the center of a town’s existence and was usually the largest and most prominent structure.

For travelers on horseback, the first sign of their destination was the lofty church steeple rising above the trees.

To the tired traveler, the sight was exhilarating and inspired the horsemen to quicken their paces, very often racing to see who could arrive at the steeple first.

From this, a horse race became known as a “steeplechase.”

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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