steeplechase

Were bushes a standard part of a hurdle in track & field events back in the day?

From the United Hunts Racing Association meet at Belmont Park Terminal track, May 22, 1920.
I think it's likely that "Mrs. Jas. Townsend" (with parasol) in these photos is actually Mrs. J. Allen Townsend, mentioned as attending the meet in an article from The Sun and the New York herald., May 23, 1920, columns 4 and 5:
chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030273/1920-05-23/ed-...

Mrs. John Allen Townsend, the former Viola Sophia Hawkins, was pictured walking down Fifth Avenue on Easter, 1915, in this earlier Bain photo:

See comments on earlier photo. Close examination of the two photos shows that they have very similar features and are wearing the same pearl earrings.

Mrs. Charles McCann, see comment under

Thanks artolog, we will add info to the records.

From the United Hunts Racing Association meet at Belmont Park Terminal track, May 22, 1920. Woman with parasol likely Mrs. John Allen Thompson. See comment under

Mrs. Charles McCann is likely the former Helena Woolworth, daughter of F.W. Woolworth, mentioned in this blog entry about building connected with F.W.:
www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/realestate/17scapes.html

If so, she is
Helena Maud Woolworth McCann
Birth: Jul. 17, 1878
Death: Mar. 15, 1938
New York
New York County (Manhattan)
New York, USA
Married to Charles Edward Francis McCann (1876 - 1941)

www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=134999474

Helena Maud Woolworth (1878-1938) wife of Charles McCann
www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101214512
O. P. Jackson
www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101215204