HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 249 



river and swampy meadows." It is no wonder that such a race 

 was not popular, as only the finish could be witnessed by spec- 

 tators. In 18o(3 the Liverpool steeplechase was run near Ain- 

 tree, "twice round a two mile course" ; a great recommendation 

 being that nearly the whole performance could be seen from 

 the grand stand. In England, the Grand National Hunt Com- 

 mittee, which has been several times reorganized, and is now 

 known as the "Huntsman's Graiul National," was formed in 

 1SG6. Its rules now have the same authority over steeplechas- 

 ing, that the Jockey Club rules, (which had refused to take any 

 cognizance of disputes connected with steeplechasing and hur- 

 dle racing), does over the races on the running turf, and they 

 are as rigidly enforced. In this country when steeplechases 

 are run, they are, so far as may be, governed by the general 

 rules of the American Turf Congress. In addition the special 

 rules require that no steeplechase shall be of less distance than 

 one mile ; that no horse shall carry less than one hundred and 

 twenty pounds ; that horses running on the wrong side of a 

 post or flag, (the limits of the course being flagged out or indi- 

 cated by posts), and not turning back shall be disqualified ; no 

 rider can go over one hundred yards on any high road, lane or 

 public thoroughfare, Mithout being disqualified ; riders going 

 over any place where the ground is not flagged out, are not 

 allowed to open any gate or wicket or go through any gateway 

 or common passage from one enclosure to another, under pen- 

 alty of being disqualified ; no horse can be led over any fence 

 by a bystander or any horseman not in the race, under penalty 

 of disqualification. Steeplechasing was abolished by the Amer- 

 ican Jocky Club in 1888, but such races are run on courses of 

 some of the members of the Turf Congress. 



Steeplechaser. One who rides in steeplechases; a 

 horse running, or trained to run in a cross-country chase. 



Step. The forward or backward movement of one foot; 

 often used synonymously with stride. It is understood to 

 mean the distance spanned by two feet both resting on the 

 ground. While this distance will vary with muscular energy, 

 it is also limited by the anatomical proportions of the animal. 



Stepper. A fast horse ; one of fine action ; as "that 

 horse is a good stepper." 



Stiff. This term means a horse that on public form, or 

 in general estimation, should win the race ; and that either the 

 jockey, driver, or horse has been so fixed that he will not win. 

 The term "bookmaker's stiff," has a similar meaning and 

 is played at the expense of the public, and in the interest of 

 the bookmakers. 



