CLAIMING – Certain races are designed as
claiming Races, where a horse may be purchased,
or claimed. The claim is made and money put up
before the race is run,and the purchase must go through,
no matter where the horse finishes. The new owner is thus taking a chance on the horse coming out of the race sound and able to run in additional races in the future. The claiming prices assure that the horses in a race are of comparable value, and therefore comparable ability.
COLORS – Also called “silks” or “racing silks.” The jacket and hat worn by the riders to designate the ownership of their horses.
FLAGS – Red or blue flags around a racecourse mark the inside if the track and must be kept on the riders left. White flags, indicating the outside of the course, must be kept on the rider’s right.
FLAT RACE – Designation for races that are not run over obstacles. Many steeplechase trainers use flat races as a tune-up for a horse that is coming off a long layoff or needs some seasoning prior to a major steeplechase race.
FURLONG – The standard measure in U.S. racing, it equals one-eighth of a mile. The term traces back to horse racing in Britain in the 17th century. The country was rural and fields offered a means of measuring distance, as the fields were measured by the mile and divided into eighths. Since each eighth was a “furlong long,” an eighth of a mile became known as a “furlong.”
HANDICAP – A race in which the horses are assigned different amounts of weight to carry, according to their respective abilities and past performances. In theory, the purpose is to have all horses cross the finish line at he same time.
HURDDLE – Commonly used in England and Ireland, it is lighter and lower than a steeplechase fence. Horses usually will meet the hurdle in stride and will slow their pace only moderately as they jump it.
MAIDEN – A horse that has never won a race.
NATIONAL FENCE – A synthetic steeplechase fence used at most stops in the U.S. Consists of a steel frame stuffed with plastic “brush” and standing 54 inches high. A foam-rubber roll, covered with green canvas, is placed on the takeoff side. Horses jump the fence in stride, much like human hurdlers in track and filed events.
NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE ASSOCIATION – The NSA, founded in 1895, is the governing body for steeplechase racing in the United States. Based in Fair Hill, MD, the NSA sanctions, takes entries, approves officials, and inspects courses. THE NSA licenses all participants and keeps official statistics.
NOVICE – A horse in the early stages of its steeplechase career. Novice races are held at many meets to give horses experience over hurdles before they compete with more-seasoned jumpers.
OUTRIDERS – Mounted horsemen, usually dressed in hunting pinque coats, who escort entries to the post, bring in loose horses which have lost riders and assist in crowd control.
PADDOCK – The area where horses are saddled before a race and where they remain until they go onto the race course.
PURSE – Total money distributed in a race. Winner usually collects 60 percent of the total purse, with shares paid to sixth place.
SCRATCH TIME – Usually one hour before the first race, the final time at which entered horses may be withdrawn from a race. After this time, a horse may only be withdrawn because of injury or by order of a veterinarian or steward.
STARTING TAPE – A device used to assist on starting the races. Made of elastic bands, the tape is stretched across the starting point and is released to begin the race.
STEEPLECHASE – A horse race over obstacles which are made of natural or artificial materials. Wherever the word “steeplechase” is used, it shall be deemed to include hurdle and timber racing as well, unless otherwise stated to the contrary.
STEWARD – The presiding judge or official at hunt meet. The stewards have the final decision on all matters pertaining to a race. They may levy fines on owners, trainers, or riders who violate the rules of racing. Typical rulings include disqualification of horses that interfere with others in a race. Each race meet has three stewards.
STRETCH – The straightaway portion of race course. The straight nearest to the stands, and including the finish line, is known as the homestretch. The opposite straight, farthest from the stands, is the backstretch.
TIMBER RACE – A steeplechase over a prescribed course of obstacles which are made of natural wood rails, logs, or boards.
WEIGHTS – The minimum weight a horse must carry in any steeplechase is 130 pounds. At times chasers may be asked to carry weights in the 170’s. Riders average between 130 and 150 pounds. Horses which have demonstrated greater ability are handicapped with greater weight, increased where necessary by pieces of lead in the saddlepad. This dead weight can be more tiring for the horse to carry than the live weight of a heavier rider.
WEIGHT-FOR-AGE – A race in which horses of different ages carry different amounts of weight, regardless of their past performances.
WINGS – The panels on either side of a steeplechase fence which are designed to guide a horse to a fence.
