Kate Middleton showing us how it’s done! {photo courtesy of Nico Morgan Photography all rights reserved}
For those of you who have been following Chasing a Fox for a while, we have had the pleasure of getting to know a very brave group of ladies as the Side Saddle Steeplechase sport has made a resurgence. These Gals have been setting the bar for what we consider to be the equivalent of the Super Bowl, The Dianas of the Chase! The famous Dianas of the Chase is a prestigious side-saddle race held annually in Leicestershire, England.
The course will run on Sunday, December 10th over 2 miles of turf, hedges, and timber at Ingarsby Old Hall, Leicestershire by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Henton, Esq. The ex-Formula 1 racing driver will start the race with a chequered flag.
The course sits within the Quorn Hunt’s renowned Friday country, and approximately 15 runners from all over the world will attempt the side saddle course over this best Leicestershire turf, on a variety of mounts.
This year a few of the races here in America were chosen as “qualifiers” for Dianas of the Chase race. We are not saying that American Steeplechasing is easy by any means, but the Dianas is not for the faint of heart. It doesn’t get any tougher than this race.
The two races that were chosen as qualifiers were the Miss Nancy Nicholas Memorial Side Saddle race held at Willowdale in Pennsylvania and the Mrs. Theodora A. Randoulph Memorial Ladies Side Saddle Race held at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park High Hope Steeplechase.
TOP THREE WILLOWDALE RIDERS
1st- Julie Nafe aboard McCradys
2nd- Stephanie Dowling aboard Fort Henry
3rd- Sarah Martin aboard the gray El Pegaso
She is pictured below winning first in Kentucky too!
TOP THREE HIGH HOPE RIDERS
1st-Sarah Martin aboard El Pegaso
2nd- Susan Oakes aboard Gardon Church owned by Sarah Martin
3rd-Christina Mulqueen aboard Waffles
Ladies Steeplechase 1927, doesn’t look much different, does it?
Our very dear friend Susan Oakes has offered to supply these qualifying American Riders horses for the Dianas, Talk about Class!
Susan is a seasoned Dianas rider herself taking home the trophy in 2013.
{Photo Courtesy of Coffey Shots, all rights reserved}
{Photo Courtesy of Coffey Shots, all rights reserved}
As always the adventures continue!
XO
I have a friend in Leicester and just needed an excuse to go visit – this is great!
I will be there,visiting friends.
How lovely Denise, you never know, we might be there too! 😉
We are so excited here in Leicestershire to be hosting this exciting race again.The race is held on prime high Leicestershire Quorn Friday country and I’m sure you will all get a very warm welcome.