The Iroquois Steeplechase in Tennessee opened Saturday with its traditional foxhound parade, as more than 20 trained hounds ran across the turf course to kick off the 85-year-old horse racing event before the main competitions for major purses began.

While jockeys and horse owners competed on the grass track with hurdles for a total purse of $730,000, spectators cheered, took photos and recorded videos as the foxhounds led the opening spectacle of the day.

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The foxhounds, specially trained to run alongside horses and hunters, were guided by huntsmen and whippers-in tasked with keeping them on course despite distractions from thousands of spectators, loudspeakers and tailgating food in the infield.

Charles Montgomery, a master and huntsman with the Mells Foxhounds, recalled a hound that once strayed into beer tents and enjoyed the attention so much that she repeated the behaviour the following year and was later excluded from the race.

Founded in 1941 as a Works Progress Administration project, the Iroquois Steeplechase is one of the premier American steeplechase events and is closely tied to fox hunting traditions from the British Isles, where horses were trained to jump obstacles while hunting.

Trustee Stephen Heard said many fox hunting horses are former steeplechase runners. About 25,000 spectators attend, creating challenges for dogs adjusting to noise, smells and distractions.
Handlers use experienced hounds to guide younger ones, while GPS collars ensure safety if dogs stray.

Despite the pressure, organizers say the hounds enjoy the event and help showcase hunting traditions.