Get on Your Hobby Horse and Be Part of the Latest Global Trend

British horse Cross Counter (R) ridden by jockey Kerrin McEvoy wins the Melbourne Cup ahead of fellow British horse Marmelo in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 6, 2018. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Finland may have the answer to replacing this sport. This small nation of only five and a half million people has created a new type of equestrian competition which is garnering global attention.

Hobby horsing is a sport where competitors straddle a stick with a man-made horse’s head and simulate equestrian events, including dressage and show jumping.

It was even proposed for inclusion in the Paris 2024 Olympics along with surfing, climbing, skateboarding, and breakdancing.

Although hobby horsing hasn’t made it to the Olympics just yet, it’s the perfect competition for vegans and those who abhor cruelty in horse racing.

A racegoer poses for a picture on a hobby horse during Ladies Day of the Grand National Festival horse race meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, northern England on April 13, 2018. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

Its popularity is galloping across the world with clubs in the United States, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, where Whanganui’s Tony Sundman and Alastair Goodwin have created Hobby Horsing NZ.

In Australia, hobby horsing made such an impression on Matty Sormani that she began Hobby Horse Riders Australia in 2016. She is now aiming to hold Australia’s first national competition in Spring 2024. Membership has now risen to 60 with 15 active competitors.

Some of these members may help her achieve the goal of sending a team to represent Australia to Finland.

The sport is popular with girls between 10- and 18 years old, but boys are also starting to take part.

According to the Finnish Hobby Horse organisation, the sport requires “athleticism, coordination, and poise.”

This year over 1,500 participants competed at the championships in Seinäjoki, Finland in June. Despite the name, the championships also have a designated international competition.

There are a variety of different disciplines including show jumping, high jumping, dressage, kür, and western riding.

Competitors don’t need to allocate the same amount of time, money, and energy to their horses that equestrian riders do. But they can spend up to 2,000 euros on buying a hobby horse, although making your own is much cheaper and you can buy affordable ones starting from 20 euros.

If you’re not so handy with a needle and thread, the championships host a huge marketplace where you can purchase new hobby horses in a variety of breeds or bridals and accessories.

Roots of Hobby Horsing

The history of the hobby horse is a little cloudy. A hobby was a breed of horse popular in Ireland in the Middle Ages and now unfortunately extinct.

John Barbour called them hobynis in his poem “The Bruce,” written in 1375. Morris dancers and minstrel groups performed with hobby horses.

In Cornwall, the hobby horse is still celebrated at the annual English ‘Obby ‘Oss festival.

Hobby horses are found in 16th-century Spanish oil paintings and German woodcuts. They’re also referenced in Laurence Sterne’s “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy” (in the 18th century).

It is the Finns who are responsible for the modern resurgence of hobby horsing. Filmmaker Selma Vilhunen came across a hobby horse internet discussion group and went on to make a documentary in 2017 called Hobbyhorse Revolution unleashing the sport to the world.

This industry is now flourishing with coaches, competitions, judges, and, of course, merchandise.

While hobby horsing may not be for everyone, Finland offers a huge selection of other quirky world championships. These include Heavy Metal Knitting, Wife Carrying, Tree Hugging, Mosquito Swatting, Mobile Phone Throwing, Swamp Soccer, and Air Guitar.