Horsing around … Seriously!

Get ready, Olympiads. There’s a new sport on the horizon. Hobby horsing! And I’m not horsing around … Seriously!

The sport — yes, it’s a real sport — originated in Finland. Stylish, well-coiffed “riders,” astride homemade hobby horses, perform elaborate gymnastic movements akin to those in live horse show jumping or dressage as it’s formally known to those in the non-hobby horse, real horsey world.

While hobby horsing is especially popular among young girls between the ages of 12-18, males compete too.

Horsing Around

It may sound frivolous. It may sound childish, but the sport is gaining popularity. This year, 260 riders from 22 countries competed at the 11th annual Finnish championship held in the town of Seinajoki.

There’s even a movie about it, Keppihevosten vallankumous (Hobbyhorse Revolution for you non-Finnish speaking readers of this blog). The movie was made in 2017 and helped fuel the growing global interest in hobby horsing which included an unsuccessful bid to include the sport in the 2024 Olympics.

This year a rider even made a bid for fame on America’s Got Talent, but alas did not advance in the one-million-dollar talent show competition.

While some true equestrians may snicker and sneer at the stick horse sport, the secretary general of the Finnish Equestrian Federation, said neigh!

“We think it’s just wonderful that hobby horsing has become a phenomenon and so popular, ” Secretary General Fred Sundwall commented. “It gives kids and teenagers who don’t have horses a chance to interact with them (horses) outside of stables and riding schools.”

Tough Competitors

As for the competitors, they are proud of their efforts and say their skills and strength equal those of top hurdlers and gymnasts.

“If you jump over obstacles your hip mobility has to be absolutely insane,” said Julia Mikkonen, 20, noting that some fences are up to 3.6 feet tall

“To succeed in the sport, you have to channel your inner centaur,” affirmed 19-year-old Jojo Hanninen. “In hobby horsing, my legs are the horse… I am both horse and human.”

And the athletes aren’t the only ones in competition. So, are their stuffed steads which are also exhibited and judged.

Self-described “centaur” Hanninen’s hobby horse, named Toope, is gaily festooned with glittery reins and pink ribbons on its white mane.

Horsing Around … Me?

As for primo athlete me, sadly hobby horsing is a no-go. Between aqua aerobics, Pilates, and strength training, my gym — and chiropractic — calendars are full.

Besides, prancing and jumping hurdles at 70? That just doesn’t make much horse sense. However, if I ever change my mind, I have come up with a swell name for a hobby horse — Ole’ Brittle Bones!

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Meanwhile, if you want more, here’s a look at this year’s competition in Finland.

Photo Credit: Horse Illustrated Magazine