A hurdle “trials” was held Sept. 13 at Great Meadow, designed by National Steeplechase Association President Al Griffin as an unsanctioned, preseason schooling opportunity for inexperienced steeplechase horses that allowed horsemen to practice over the newly routed course near The Plains.

Several horses slipped and fell on the north turn at the Virginia Gold Cup meet there in May, Griffin said, and management wanted to work with horsemen to find a solution. Griffin and the association’s safety committee started by moving jumps and beacons and the actual north rail itself, “to make a wider sweep around the last turn,” Griffin said.