[stee.ple.chase] n [fr. the use of church steeples as landmarks to guide the riders] (1793) 1 a: a horse race across country b: a horse race over a closed course with obstacles (as hedges and walls)
2: a footrace of usu. 3000 meters over hurdles and a water jump -- stee.ple.chas.er n -- stee.ple.chas.ing n