Jockeys compete at the Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase in Pardubice, Czech Republic. The annual race is not just the world's oldest cross-country horse race -- but also arguably the most difficult.
Jockeys compete at the Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase in Pardubice, Czech Republic. The annual race is not just the world's oldest cross-country horse race -- but also arguably the most difficult.
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Horses and jockeys have 31 notorious obstacles to overcome during the race which usually takes 10 minutes finish. The steeplechase has been drawing crowds to Pardubice, which is 60 miles east of Prague in the Czech Republic, since 1874.
Horses and jockeys have 31 notorious obstacles to overcome during the race which usually takes 10 minutes finish. The steeplechase has been drawing crowds to Pardubice, which is 60 miles east of Prague in the Czech Republic, since 1874.
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The race is more than just a 6,900 meter long steeplechase, it's also a cross-country race. While the course is mainly grass, horses also run through ploughed fields.
The race is more than just a 6,900 meter long steeplechase, it's also a cross-country race. While the course is mainly grass, horses also run through ploughed fields.
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According to Pardubice Race Course, when the race first began in the late 19th Century participation was low -- with only around five horses and riders involved. "The horses were mainly foreign-bred, mainly English, German and Hungarian," it says on its website.
According to Pardubice Race Course, when the race first began in the late 19th Century participation was low -- with only around five horses and riders involved. "The horses were mainly foreign-bred, mainly English, German and Hungarian," it says on its website.
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This year was the 128th Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase. It's been held every year on the second Sunday in October, except during World War I and II, the 1968 Russian invasion and once due to snowy weather conditions.
This year was the 128th Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase. It's been held every year on the second Sunday in October, except during World War I and II, the 1968 Russian invasion and once due to snowy weather conditions.
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The most infamous obstacle of them all -- the so-called Taxi Ditch -- is so difficult and demanding that not only are horses not permitted to use it for training, it also doesn't appear in any other race in the world.
The most infamous obstacle of them all -- the so-called Taxi Ditch -- is so difficult and demanding that not only are horses not permitted to use it for training, it also doesn't appear in any other race in the world.
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The race has been won by both men and women. The first woman to win was Lata Brandisova in 1937.
The race has been won by both men and women. The first woman to win was Lata Brandisova in 1937.
Roman Vondrous/CTK/AP