Steeplechasing by Anne Holland

Few equine pastimes compare to the speed, the danger and the thrill of steeplechasing. This is the book that chronicles the race from 250 years ago right up to the present, with much focus on the horses in the sport in Britain today. Historically, steeplechasing was the favorite past time of the nobility and gentry in the 18th century. Oil paintings commemorating key events were commissioned for their grand new mansions. Some of them are in this book, but incredible action photographs fill up most of these pages. (More than 200 images.) The book is divided into three sections: the races, the people and the horses. Interspersed with detailed biographies of some of the top names are colorful accounts of the most famous and dramatic moments in the sport. Author Anne Holland is a former amateur rider who was one of the first women to ride and win under National Hunt Rules. She has written numerous books on horses. Highlights - The 2001 Grand National - The First Steeplechase - Early Portraits: Artists' Impressions - The World's Greatest Steeplechase - From Point to Point - An American Import: Timber Racing - The queen of Steeplechasing - G. B. Toby Balding - Scottish Stories - Mighty Arkle and the Dreaper Days - Golden Miller and Red Rum - Two Irish Tales - Dawn Run and Desert Orchid - Norton's Coin - Pointers to the Future. 224pgs, H, 2002