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.
For more information, see Related links below.
Steeplechase is a neighborhood in Sherman Illinois
Steeplechase Park was created in 1897.
SteepleChase Records was created in 1972.
Steeplechase Films was created in 1989.
The Grand National Steeplechase is a New Zealand horse race.
National Steeplechase Association was created in 1895.
The Grand National Steeplechase is a New Zealand horse race.
The Steeplechase - 1933 is rated/received certificates of: Argentina:Atp
Steeplechase - 1975 VG was released on: USA: 1975
There has been lots of horse deaths in steeplechase, and I beleive a few jockeys too.
The Great Steeplechase - 1905 was released on: France: 1905 USA: 1905
The Great Steeplechase - 1912 was released on: USA: 29 November 1912