Bibliothèque mondiale du cheval

« How, where, or why steeplechasing came to be indulged in cannot be accurately ascertained. Mr. J. P. Hore, who is never weary of examining old records, tells us that there was steeplechasing of a kind at Newmarket as early as the time of James I. Those races took the form of hunting matches and wild-goose chases, but they could have had but little in common with even steeplechasing of a hundred and fifty years later. When about five years ago Mr. McCalmont instituted steeplechases on the Links at Newmarket, Mr. Hore brushed up his memory, and reminded us once more that there is nothing new under the sun.
Although many dates and facts are wanting, it is easy enough to see how steeplechasing gradually came into fashion. Men have hunted from time immemorial, but it was not every hunting" day which sufficed to decide the merits of two or more horses. Hunting runs took place then as now, and it was only occasionally that a straight away run was enjoyed, and the fleetest horse was enabled to show his superiority. Just, however, as the facetious Lord Alvanley regarded hounds as so many hindrances to what would otherwise have been very excellent fun, so, long before his time, rivalry in the hunting-field led to challenges being issued and accepted to ride three or more miles over a country. They were merely private affairs, however, and at a day when sporting intelligence was rare were not recorded.[...] » Présentation de l’éditeur (1901)