HISTORIC STEEPLECHASE
NEWS
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This page was last updated on Monday, August 20, 2007
History is a wonderful thing especially if we can either learn from it or enjoy its re-enactment, and on Sunday September 22nd the people of Co. Cork can enjoy the 250th anniversary steeplechase just as it was in 1752 when Cornelius O'Callaghan and Edmund Burke had a private wager to see who could ride across country from the steeple of St. John's Church in Buttevant to St. Mary's Doneraile.
That private race became the first ever recorded steeplechase and laid the foundation for what we now know as steeplechasing. The distance covered, as the crow flies, was four and a half miles crossing banks, hedges streams and fences as they galloped their way into the history books.
There will be thirty horses and riders taking part and well know racing names such as Paul Carberry, Ruby Walsh, Norman Williamson, David Casey, Ken Whelan and Philip O'Brien are among the professionals and the ladies will be well represented by Aileen Sloane-Lee, Liz Doyle, Laura Hourigan, Nicky Sell, Celia O'Keefe and the Lee sisters. The Duhallow Hunt have a team headed by David O'Meara and including two riders impersonating the original O'Callaghan and Burke. Apart from reliving history the object of the event is to raise money to erect a memorial in the town of Buttevant featuring two horses and riders jumping a bank depicting the originals and thus commemorating for all time the first steeplechase.
Local farmers and landowners have generously given their permission for the race to follow the original course and the Irish Wheelchair Association will also benefit from this unique event.
The teams will start from St.Mary's Church, Doneraile at 10 minute intervals beginning at 3pm and finishing up in the grounds of Buttevant Castle.
The committee have organised a spit roast,face painting bucking bronco, pony rides refreshments and music and a special souvenir programme which will be a collector's item.
The night before there is a Steeplechase Ball in the G.A.A. Hall (Gaelic Athletic Association) with a buffet and Pete River's Band to keep the feet moving.
It should be a great event and oul' Midlander will let you know how he and Lady Midlander got on as he's representing Countryside Ireland while the rest of the committee are plodding the streets of London in support of their fellow fieldsports men and women at the Liberty and Livelihood March. I'm not up to much dancing these days, except occasionally with rage, but someone had to do the duty!