Horse Fencing: A Guide to The National's Famous Jumps
Horse fencing does not get any more revered or legendary than the famous jumps of The Grand National. Since the 19th century, Aintree Racecourse has played host to the world's greatest and most demanding horse racing spectacle.
The Grand National has become world famous because of its fences. This guide will give introduce you to the world's most famous horse fencing as well as explaining why and when these fences have become so immortalised.
The Chair
The tallest and longest of all the jumps at the Grand National, The Chair is perhaps the most infamous jump in all of horse fencing. This fence measures in at a staggering 5ft 2inches high. Many have fallen victim to this jump throughout the course of the National's rich history.
The Chair is one of only two fences at the Grand National that is only jumped once by participants (the other being the Water Jump). It is named so because a chair used to be sited alongside this fence, where a distance judge used to sit in the early years of the race.
The Water Jump
There are sixteen fences on the Grand National course, carrying names from the history of the race. Perhaps the most famous of these fences is the Water Jump. The Water Jump provides an amazing spectacle for those in the stands as the horse splash through it.
This is the last obstacle on the first circuit, and is quite small (compared to the other National fences!). The tricky part, however, is the huge leap required to clear the 12ft 6in expanse of water beyond.
Becher's Brook
Arguably the most difficult of all of Aintree's fences is the 6th and 22nd jump, Becher's Brook. It is the fence's 6ft 9inches that make it so notorious among horse racing circles.
The fence is named after Captain Martin Becher, who led the first ever Grand National, until his horse unseated him and hurled him into this fence. Captain Becher then sheltered in the small brook running along the landing side of the fence while the remainder of the field jumped over.
The Grand National has become world famous because of its fences. This guide will give introduce you to the world's most famous horse fencing as well as explaining why and when these fences have become so immortalised.
The Chair
The tallest and longest of all the jumps at the Grand National, The Chair is perhaps the most infamous jump in all of horse fencing. This fence measures in at a staggering 5ft 2inches high. Many have fallen victim to this jump throughout the course of the National's rich history.
The Chair is one of only two fences at the Grand National that is only jumped once by participants (the other being the Water Jump). It is named so because a chair used to be sited alongside this fence, where a distance judge used to sit in the early years of the race.
The Water Jump
There are sixteen fences on the Grand National course, carrying names from the history of the race. Perhaps the most famous of these fences is the Water Jump. The Water Jump provides an amazing spectacle for those in the stands as the horse splash through it.
This is the last obstacle on the first circuit, and is quite small (compared to the other National fences!). The tricky part, however, is the huge leap required to clear the 12ft 6in expanse of water beyond.
Becher's Brook
Arguably the most difficult of all of Aintree's fences is the 6th and 22nd jump, Becher's Brook. It is the fence's 6ft 9inches that make it so notorious among horse racing circles.
The fence is named after Captain Martin Becher, who led the first ever Grand National, until his horse unseated him and hurled him into this fence. Captain Becher then sheltered in the small brook running along the landing side of the fence while the remainder of the field jumped over.
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