What's the difference between a hurdle race and a chase? - Free Equestrian Rider Jumping Over Hurdles on a Horse in an Outdoor Arena... High Hurdle Horseback Hurdles (Jake Maddox) By Maddox, Jake History Of National Hunt Horse Racing Essentially, it’s a type of horse racing where horses gallop at high speeds while jumping over obstacles known as hurdles. These races typically take place on grass tracks and can range anywhere from two to four miles in length