The arena buzzed with excitement as a rider gripped the reins of her stuffed steed. Welcome to the enchanting world of hobby horsing, a Finnish sport that promises to bring a smile to your face. Immaculately groomed equestrians leap over fences with the precision of horse jumping, racing against the clock on their stick horses. In dressage, riders elegantly trot their intricately decorated steeds before the judges’ discerning eyes.
At the 11th annual Finnish championship in Seinajoki, 260 riders from 22 countries—mostly women and girls aged 10 to 20—competed. Despite its growing popularity worldwide, from the Arctic to Argentina, hobby horsing remains unrecognized as an official sport in Finland, its birthplace. “We have faced so much bullying and judgment,” says Nara Arlin, 24. “We know what everyone in the hobby horsing world has been through. That’s what pulls us together.”
Invented in Finland over a decade ago, hobby horsing has rapidly gained international appeal. “It is growing every year,” says Julia Mikkonen, chair of The Finnish Hobbyhorse Association. This year’s championship was the largest yet. Beyond the whimsical appearance, the sport demands significant strength and skill. Competitors must clear obstacles up to 110cm tall while holding their hobby horses, requiring exceptional hip mobility.
Mikkonen estimates there are around 10,000 hobby horsers globally. “We are all dreaming of having a world championship one day.” After a dressage event, Jojo Hanninen, 19, expressed satisfaction with her performance. “In hobby horsing, my legs are the horse. I am both horse and human,” she says. Hanninen’s hobby horse, a grey named Toope, features glittery reins and pink ribbons.
Competitors invest considerable effort into crafting their hobby horses, modeling, sewing, and decorating them. “Hobby horses are art,” says Arlin, who makes her own. Following an impressive show-jumping round, Arlin praised the sport as “the best hobby ever,” emphasizing the physical and mental engagement it requires. Like many others, she discovered hobby horsing through childhood play but grew more serious over time. Arlin now trains with real horses, works out in the gym, and practices pole dancing.
Rainbow flags in the arena reflect the community’s inclusive values. “Horses are mostly seen as a girls’ sport, but that is not correct. Anyone can come no matter what gender,” Mikkonen says. Enthusiasts appreciate the welcoming community, which keeps them dedicated despite occasional scorn. “We have each other’s backs,” Arlin affirms.
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