|
|
|
|
 |
|
Back
|
Level 3 – Intermediate
The Grand National Steeplechase
Horse racing has been a traditional country sport in Britain for a very long time. In the past, huntsmen would race their horses over natural countryside and these races came to be known as steeplechases, because they were run from one village church steeple to another. In the nineteenth century racecourses were built around the country and race meetings were held at regular intervals. Two different types of horse race became popular: steeplechasing, with jumps, and flat racing, without jumps.
In 1839 the most famous steeplechase of all was run for the first time at Aintree in Liverpool. It was called The Grand National and participants were required to run across ploughed fields and jump a stone wall and two hedges.
Today, the event is one of the toughest and most spectacular events on the racing calendar. The course is four and a half miles long with thirty huge fences, the highest being The Chair at five feet two inches. Over thirty horses run every year, but usually only a handful pass the finishing line; many are forced to abandon or else they fall at the jumps.
The Grand National is an extremely tough race, which has attracted a lot of criticism in the past because jockeys and horses have been injured or even killed. However, it is an important part of the country's heritage and is followed by millions on television. Tens of thousands of people place bets on their favourite horse at their local bookmakers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Answer the questions below to check how well you understand the text.
|
|
|
 | |  | | |
C2 Mastery
