Amateur equestrians will chase more than just a win in this year’s Willowdale Steeplechase.

They’ll also set their eyes on a one-time $100,000 prize, according to a staff report in The Times of Chester County.

The new $100,000 Steeplechase Challenge bonus will go to the rider who can conquer the 25th anniversary running of the amateur-only Timber Stakes at the Willowdale Steeplechase on Mother’s Day, May 14, and then go on to triumph in the amateur-and-pro Open Timber Stakes at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on Nov. 5.

“In every race, jockeys gallop their horses over rolling green terrain at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour,” the article explained. “They jump over hedges and solid four-foot-high timber fences — and at Willowdale, the famous Willowdale Water Jump (which has just been rebuilt after 24 years).”

The Willowdale Steeplechase features a 3.5-mile Unionville course with 17 fences, while the more challenging Pennsylvania Hunt Cup course contains 22 fences over four miles.

Read more about this year’s special $100,000 Steeplechase Challenge in The Times of Chester County here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the annual event here.