Horse Racing-The Second Sport in U.K.The History of Horse RacingThe true royal sport in Britain is horse racing. Organized national horse races have been held throughout Britain for hundreds of years.Modern horse racing originated in the United Kingdom.vIn 1900 ,the second Olympic Games, equestrian was classified as a sport.Equestrian 马术 (horse racing at the Olympic Games) EquestrianismEquestrianismThe following forms of competition The following forms of competition are recognized worldwide and are a are recognized worldwide and are a part of the equestrian events at the part of the equestrian events at the Olympics:Olympics: Dressage (training in French花花 样样 骑骑 术术 ) involves the progressive training of the horse to a high level of impulsion, collection, and obedience. One dressage master has defined it as returning the freedom of the horse while carrying the rider. Show jumping (障障 碍碍 赛赛 ) comprises a timed event judged on the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles, in a given order and with the fewest refusals or knockdowns of portions of the obstacles. vEventing (综合全能马术赛综合全能马术赛/三三日赛日赛) it puts together the obedience of dressage with the athletic ability of show jumping, the fitness demands the cross-country jumping phase. The varieties of horse racingThere are many different kinds of horseracing. The most popular is thoroughbred racing. Horse owners normally hire a trainer to train and condition horses for particular events. A jockey is also hired to ride the horse for the event. In thoroughbred racing, there are other subcategories, depending on different factors. Some examples are handicap races, stakes races, maiden races, and steeplechases. Another type of horseracing is harness racing. This is a race wherein horses pull sulkies. Sometimes, saddles are also employed. In harness racing, horses have to race at a specified gait either trot or pace. vQuarter racing employs American Quarter Horses, which were bred specifically to race the quarter of a mile. The Quarter Horse is believed to be the fastest horse in the world. It is also well-suited for other tasks such as roping, reining, and cutting. As with the horse racing in UK, there are two major and well-known kinds of horse racing- flat racing and steeplechase.Flat racingvFeatures: horse racing without fences on flat ground.vThese races are run over distances ranging from 5 furlongs (5/8 mile or 1000 metres) to 20 furlongs (2 1/2 miles or 4000 metres) and are started from stalls. As the name suggests, there are no obstacles in flat racing. The flat racing season runs from mid-March to mid-November.Flat horses mature quickly and start running as 2 or 3-year-olds. The Curragh in Co. Kildare has been the headquarters of flat racing in Ireland since the early 18th century and according to history the ancient Celtic Kings held racing there.vThe most famous Horse Racing match in the World: Grand National (steeplechase) National hunt-SteeplechasevFeatures: a long race in which horses jump over gates, water ect.vAll jump races are contested over at least 2 miles and the horses have to jump a number of obstacles. This makes for spectacular viewing. These races are started from a tape barrier. Jump horses mature more slowly and dont run until they are 4 or 5-year-olds. Jump racing goes on all year round but its main season runs from November until the end of April. Some flat horses also run in jump races when they get older.vRun over “fences” which vary in size. The word steeplechase was coined in County Cork in 1752. Two gambling men, Edmund Blake and Cornelius OCallaghan wanted to settle a bet as to whose horse was faster. So they organised a race across country from the steeple of the church in Buttevant to that of St Marys in Doneraile. Hence the name, which is often shortened to “chase”.New StyleNew StyleNew ImageNew ImageSome Rules of H o r s e R a c i n g All species of horses can take part in the raceFor exampleFor example RuleOne All horses should be well -taught. They must be kept in order, or their qualification would be canceledRuleTwo The horse must be at least 4 years oldRuleThree我很小,但我很能跑!IIm small but Im good at running! No diseases No disability No drugs RuleFour One horse, One rider Rule FiveRomantic, isnt it?Thats all !Thank you!