STEEPLECHASE  , a variety of

horse-racing not run on the flat, but either across country or on a made course with artificial fences, water-jumps, &c . (see HORSE-RACING) . The origin of the sport and the name is due to matches run by owners of hunters, the goal being some prominent landmark, such as a neighbouring church steeple . There is an early record of such a match in 1752 in Ireland, when the course was 41 m., " from the Church of Buttevaut to the spire of St Leger Church." The name is sometimes used of cross-country running or of a race on a made course over hurdles and other obstacles . It is also given to an English variation of the old French game of Goose (q.v.) . It is played with two dice on a board, on which is depicted a race-course with hurdles, water-jumps and other obstacles . The course is marked in 6o compartments by means of radii, and the game is won by the player whose horse makes the circuit in the fewest throws . Each player is provided with a marker, usually in the form of a jockey on horseback, which is moved forward after each throw to the space to which the number thrown entitles it .