audio, stills, text and or video: Go to http://www.zReportage.com to see more - Velka pardubicka is one of the oldest and most challenging cross-country steeplechase runs in continental Europe. It has been held since 1874 in Pardubice, the Czech Republic, some 100 kilometers east of Prague. The difficulty of the 6,900-meter-long race is rather unique for the horsemen due to the winding, deep, heavily ploughed, demanding course with equally difficult fences. It is the highpoint for any Czech jockey, who dreams if not of winning the race, then at least of riding it.
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Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - A jockey and horse are led to the racecourse during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Riders are reflected in water at the racetrack before during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Riders compete on the track during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - A rider is splattered with mud during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Horses race on after losing their riders after jumping over fences during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Jockeys walk to the racetrack during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Riders compete on the track during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Riders compete on the track during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Riders jump through a water obstacle during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - A rider walks on a muddy track after falling off his horse during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - A rider walks his horse during the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA
Aug. 11, 2012 - Kolesa, Czech Republic - Czech jockeys wait for the race to begin before the steeplechase Velka Pardubicka.
© Roman Vondrous/CTK/zReportage/ZUMA