New Proposed Jump Fences to be Introduced in Upcoming Year

Riders at the 2007 Queen's Cup.

Written By: Richard Riley

William J. Price Race Chairman of the Queen's Cup Steeplechase in Charlotte, NC wants to develop and introduce a safer and lighter jump fence to the sport within a year, with the Little Everglades Steeplechase participating in early introduction and testing.

Presently, most steeplechases in the United States use the standard "National Fence," first used and sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association back in the early 1970's. The design is a relatively safe, consistent jump system built of steel, foam rubber, and a plastic "brush" top. Although tweaked over the years, the fence has not changed fundamentally in design or function since its introduction thirty-five years ago. Price has a better idea. He plans to work, with the help of Little Everglades and interested horseman and race meets within the sport, on designing a new and even safer structure made of aluminum and consequently lighter.

"Safety is the primary concern of all riders and horse owners," states Price. "In two developmental meetings this summer, we will work with any and all steeplechase organizations and individuals interested in improving the sport."

At this summer's meetings, consideration will be given to increasing the height of the overall fence to make horses respect the fence, jumping bigger and subsequently slowing down. After attention to safety is designed, they will then focus on making the fence simpler to set up and take down and its portability for other races meets on the circuit.

Little Everglades Steeplechase in Dade City, Florida and The Queen's Cup Steeplechase plan to be some of the first to demonstrate the new fences in the 2009 season.

"We hope to have preliminary testing of the new American Fence by late summer, with refinements and beta testing during the late fall of 2008," stated Price. The new fence will be set up as a flight of schooling jumps at Springdale Racecourse in Camden by early 2009"

Price continued, "We plan to set up a flight of "American Fence" jumps for schooling at the Little Everglades Steeplechase site before the race meet allowing horseman to do a last school over the new fence before the official Little Everglades Steeplechase on March 8, 2009."

Sharon and Bob Blanchard, founders of the Little Everglades Steeplechase are enthusiastic with their support. "We are very excited about planning to be one of the first steeplechases race meets to use this newer jump fence," stated SharonBlanchard. "As the first steeplechase race meet of the season, we can help prove its value to the rest of the tour during 2009." Funding will initially come from Little Everglades and Queen's Cup Steeplechase race meets in hopes of jump starting the design with others making contributions to the cause over the next few months.

Individuals and organizations interested in the new standards project may contact Bill Price at bill@queenscup.org.

The Case for a New Steeplechase Fence

  • The National Fence, as presently constructed, has been tweaked but not redesigned since it was introduced to the United States steeplechasing circuit over 40 years ago.
  • The present National Fence is fairly forgiving withinthe parameters of an error window of about 90%.
  • When a horse or rider falls outside of the error window and misjudges the take-off, the fence is no longer forgiving and disaster awaits the horse (and rider) on the other side
  • Over the years, too many horses get seriously injured and killed because of an error on take-off.
  • The sport owes the horse, the rider and the spectator the safest jumping environment humanly possible – also knowing it's impossible to take away all risk but a greater effort needs to be done to protect these wonderful equine athletes.
  • LES & Queen's Cup plan to hold two meetings the summer of 2008 in the south and north with riders and trainers to help us re¬invent the jump since the NSA, to date, has been unwilling to address the problem.
  • Consideration will be given to increasing the height of the overall fence to make horses respect the fence, jump bigger and slow down.
  • Consideration will be given to lightening the weight of the jump for the race meet organizers.
  • The new fence must still be able to be shipped around in a tractor trailer as one load with jumps and take-off rolls included.
  • Consideration to making the fence simpler to set-up and take down – consistency and portability to other race meets.
  • Will be looking for funding by various groups and individuals tohelp fund the fence – funding will run through the organizingrace meets with a tax deductible contribution towards its cause.
  • We hope to have alpha testing of the new American Fence by late fall with refinements and beta testing made during the late fall of 2008.
  • The new fence, dubbed The American Fence, will be set-up as a flight of schooling jumps at Springdale Racecourse in Camden by late December, 2008.
  • A flight of American Fence jumps will be set-up for schooling at LES in early March of 2009 prior to LES for horsemen to give their horses a last school over the improved fence.
  • The American Fence will be officially introduced at LES and QC in 2009.
  • The American Fence will be available for purchase by interested trainers and race meet organizers by the summer of 2009 after a completed live test at LES and QC race meets. Adjustments and improvements will be made after these two live tests are made.
  • The American Fence will be available for lease to other race meets and sanctioning bodies interested in improving safety for their participants and spectators alike for the Fall Steeplechase circuit in 2009.