Hobby Horsing – What is it actually?
Hobbyhorsing is a trend sport in which participants ride a hobby horse and imitate various equestrian disciplines without using a real horse. The hobby horse consists of a horse's head made of fabric or plush that is attached to a stick that the rider clamps between their legs.
The sport combines elements of dressage, show jumping and cross-country riding, with participants jumping over obstacles and performing choreographed movements. Competitions are often held with precise rules, similar to real equestrian sports.
Hobbyhorsing has become a popular leisure activity, especially in Finland, and is mainly practiced by children and young people. In recent years, it has also gained international popularity and is seen as a creative and sporty leisure activity by people of all ages.
By the way, the German term for the hobby horsing is simply "hobby horse riding".
For what age is Hobby Horsing suitable?
Hobbyhorsing is basically suitable for people of all ages, but it is mainly practiced by children and young people. In many countries, especially in Finland, the focus is often on girls aged around 6 to 18.
The sport requires physical activity, creativity and coordination, which is why it is particularly attractive to young people. The movements, such as jumping and dressage exercises, promote dexterity and endurance, but are flexible enough to be adapted to different age groups and fitness levels.
Adults can also enjoy hobbyhorsing, whether as a sport, a creative activity or in competitions. There is no age limit, but it depends on individual interests and abilities.
What does hobby horsing promote?
Hobbyhorsing offers comprehensive development for body and mind, and it is a great way to be active in a playful and sporty way. In particular, we would like to mention the following skills that are promoted through hobbyhorsing:
- Physical fitness
- Creativity and imagination
- Self-confidence
- Concentration and discipline
- Teamwork and social skills
Because the hobby of horsing involves very holistic support, especially for children, we will soon address this issue in more detail in a separate article.
What do you need for the hobby of horsing?
For hobby horsing you need some basic equipment to be able to practice the sport:
1. Hobbyhorse:
- Homemade or bought: The hobby horse is the most important element. It consists of a horse's head made of fabric or plush that is attached to a stick. Many people make their own hobby horses, but there are also ready-made models available to buy.
- Individual design: The hobby horse can be designed according to personal preferences, with different colors, manes and decorations.
2. Obstacles:
- Jumping obstacles: Similar to real equestrian sports, obstacles are set up that have to be jumped over. These can be simple poles or consist of several parts.
- Homemade: Obstacles are often improvised from household items such as chairs or boxes, but there are also obstacle sets designed specifically for hobby horsing.
3. Sports clothing & equipment:
- Comfortable clothing: Since hobbyhorsing is physically demanding, sporty clothing that allows sufficient freedom of movement is recommended.
- Sneakers: Good sports shoes or sneakers are important to have a secure grip and to be able to perform jumps well.
- Bags & backpacks: Like every sport, hobby horsing has its own requirements when it comes to storing and transporting equipment. Above all, the hobby horse itself should always be well protected. Ló has worked with Driver13 to develop functional and comfortable hobby horsing backpacks specifically for the sport of hobby horsing.
4. Place to practice:
- Indoors or outdoors: A garden, park or sports hall offers enough space to set up obstacles and practice movement sequences.
- Safe floor: The surface should be level and non-slip to avoid injuries.
5. Competition rules or practice procedures:
- Rules: If you want to take part in competitions, it is important to familiarize yourself with the official rules. There are set criteria for different disciplines, such as show jumping or dressage.
- Training: Many participants develop their own exercise routines to improve and learn new skills.
The beauty of hobbyhorsing is that the equipment is flexible and can be adapted to your own needs, so it remains an accessible and creative hobby.
How many people do hobby horsing?
In Germany, it is estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 people actively practice hobbyhorsing ( see FAZ of September 11, 2024 ).
Thanks to social media, a real hobby horsing boom can be observed worldwide, with it now being assumed that tens of thousands of people are involved in hobby horsing and a large proportion of them also take part in competitions.
Hobbyhorsing is particularly popular in Scandinavia. In Finland alone there are around 10,000 active hobbyhorsing enthusiasts - mainly girls in their childhood and teenage years.
Is hobby horsing an official sport?
Hobby Horsing is well on its way to becoming a globally recognized sport. In Germany, the German Hobby Horsing Association (DtHHV) was founded in 2023, which takes care of organizing tournaments and establishing concrete regulations. There are similar associations in other European countries such as Great Britain and the Czech Republic.
Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go before hobby horsing will achieve a similar level of organization in the sports landscape as, for example, equestrian sports or gymnastics.
The First German Hobby Horsing Championship 2024 in Frankfurt
After years as a steadily growing trend sport, the wish of many hobby horsing enthusiasts finally came true on September 14th and 15th, 2024. The first German Hobby Horsing Championship took place in Kalbach near Frankfurt.
Organized by the DtHHV, the German champions were determined in different age groups in the following three categories:
- Time Jump
- Style jumping
- dressage
In addition, there were open competitions in which international amateur riders could also take part.
As part of the championships' supporting program, a variety of exhibitors from the hobby horsing segment presented their new products. Our partner brand Ló was also represented with its own stand, so that hobby horsing fans from all over Europe could get to know the popular bags and accessories from Ló.
