stee ‧ ple ‧ chase /ˈstiːp ə lˌtʃeɪs/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: steeplechase 'horse race across country toward a steeple' (18-19 centuries) ]
1 . a long race in which horses jump over gates, water etc
2 . a long race in which people run and jump over fences, water etc