 A hobby horse rider jumping | |
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Sport, Hobby |
| Equipment | Hobby horse |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Originated in Finland |
Hobby horsing is a hobby with gymnastic elements which uses hobby horses, also known as stick horses. [1] [2] Movement sequences similar to those in show jumping or dressage are partly simulated in courses, without real horses being used. The participants predominantly use self-made hobby horses. [3] [4] [5]
The sport was introduced to a wider public through Selma Vilhunen's 2017 film Keppihevosten vallankumous (Hobbyhorse Revolution), [6] which won two awards at the 2017 Tampere Film Festival. [7]
In Finland, the country of origin of the sport, [8] an annual national championship is held in addition to regional competitions. This sport, which can be classified as a fun and trendy hobby, is particularly popular with girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 18 [5] years [9] and is gaining popularity beyond the other Nordic countries in other parts of Europe. The hobby had spread to Australia by 2016, [10] and the first Australian national championship was held in Queensland in 2024. [11]
While the sport may be perceived more as a childish pastime by "real riders," Fred Sundwall, secretary general of the Finnish Equestrian Federation, views it positively: "We think it's just wonderful that hobby horsing has become a phenomenon and so popular." "It gives kids and teenagers who don't have horses a chance to interact with them outside of stables and riding schools." [12] [13]
A 2022 article in the British equestrian magazine Horse & Hound said that in the UK hobbyhorsing takes place occasionally as a novelty charity fundraising or Pony Club event but that "hobbyhorse competitions are probably more likely to be seen as a bit of fun at a school sports day than as a serious competition". [5]
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