CHAPTER IV. 



Origfin of Steeplechasingf. 



The origin of steeplechasing is absolutely a creature of 

 Irish adventure. The Irish gentlemen, who were not only- 

 fond of following the hounds, but reveled in every feature 

 of the chase, some one hundred and twenty-five years ago, 

 not altogether satisfied with taking the ditches, streamlets 

 and hedges, concluded to introduce the taking of six-foot 

 stiff timbers as a better test of man's art in the pigskin and 

 likewise his moral courage and nerve. Although many a 

 gallant fellow, in taking these jumps, was involuntarily dis- 

 mounted and sometimes carried home with sore shoulders, 

 or sprained legs or arms, nevertheless this was kept up for 

 several years, to the delectation and amusement of all 

 classes. 



In about the year 1735 they began cross-country racing, 

 and thence about this time they also began to give small 

 prizes under the auspices of hurdle racing, and this was 

 soon indorsed by all of the Irish nobility and countenanced 

 by every class of citizens. It was of but short duration 

 before it resolved itself in the estimation of this sport-loving 

 people as the greatest out-door recreation known to man; 

 and as every turf student well knows that no people on the 

 earth has a higher estimate of the thoroughbred horse and 

 has done as much to encourage and foster every class 

 of racing, yet with them steeplechase racing held high car- 

 nival in the hearts of this people, even in the days when 

 they had their greatest flat racers, such, for instance, as 

 their Harkaways, Economist, old Fogaballa, etc., this style 

 of racing held its popularity supreme over other sports, and 

 does yet. 



About eighty years ago a great match race took place 

 and was run in the public road, which was chained and 

 measured ; the distance was five miles and terminated 

 at a point known in Ireland as "The Red Church." The 

 stakes were for $5,000 a side and was won by a horse called 

 Peter Maning. Over this match excitement was carried 



