How did the steeplechase start?

Answer 1

A steeple is a high tower, from steep (adjective), meaning high, lofty, sloping sharply.

The written word steeplechase first appeared in 1793, but the race was originally called a steeplehunt (1772). This rural horse race was across the fields and towards a highly visible church steeple; the first one there was the winner.

Now there are athletics 'steeplechases' as well as horse-racing steeplechases, but they don't race towards church steeples any more ---they have prescribed tracks/courses that have obstacles along the way, corresponding to the streams, ditches and hedges that were the challenges for those early cross-country steeple-hunters / steeple-chasers.

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Answer 2

Ireland invented it in 18th century