Protecting Steeplechase Athletes

The National Steeplechase Association places its highest priority on assuring the safety of steeplechase athletes, both equine and human. The National Steeplechase Association, its race meets, and its horsemen undertake significant actions to assure a racing surface of the highest quality and take proactive steps to minimize the chances of injury. Regrettably, accidents will occur, but important actions have been taken to prevent them. Some of those proactive steps are:

• Frequent safety inspections of the racecourses, and the presence of a designated safety officer at the race meets;
• Aggressive, year-round turf care of our race-meet courses, which in some cases include state-of-the-art watering systems and maintenance programs found more often at golf courses or other venues;
• Pre-race physical examinations by experienced, licensed equine veterinarians to determine whether the horses are sufficiently fit and sound to compete in a demanding athletic competition;
• Post-race medication testing to assure that no prohibited substances are present in the horse and that permitted medicines are within regulatory limits; and
• Presence of a well-equipped equine ambulance on the course during the races, with an official veterinarian on duty to evaluate and direct the treatment of any injuries. Also, an ambulance is present with trained medical personnel to care for a jockey or jockeys injured in a race accident.