Hurdling (horse race)

A Hurdle is a National Hunt horse race where the horses run over obstacles called hurdles that are over three and a half feet high. They are typically made of relatively thin pieces of wood, that have some give in them. Hurdle races always have a minimum of 8 hurdles and a minimum distance of two miles (3 km). Horses that go hurdling are often former flat horses. National Hunt horses may also compete in these races to give them jumping practice before they go into Chases. Many of the best hurdling horses eventually compete in chases when they are older, as they are too slow to hurdle and because their jumping technique will have improved over time.