We find ourselves in an age characterised by subcultures and surrogate experiences. We form surrogate families, consume alternative meats made from insects, drink coffee derived from chicory, and enjoy soy milk. Rather than caring for live pets, we invest our emotions and restless nights into Tamagotchis. We create virtual farms and cities, and place bets on digital horses and dogs with the same fervour. Among these phenomena is hobbyhorsing, which may seem bizarre at first glance, yet aligns perfectly with contemporary trends, despite facing criticism. This unique sport found its roots in Finland not long ago, yet its rapid spread is quite remarkable. Essentially, hobbyhorsing involves running and jumping on a wooden stick adorned with a stuffed horse’s head, a pastime that previously went unnoticed. But Finnish girls took this children's game seriously—they began promoting it on social media back in 2010, swiftly forming a close-knit community that some even dubbed a sect. They crafted their own hobbyhorses and dedicated their free time to this activity.
While it's hard to pinpoint the exact originators of this movement, teenager Alisa Aornimäki took significant steps in 2015 to formalise the sport and establish competition rules, earning recognition as the founder of hobbyhorsing with her striking fuchsia hair. In 2012, Finnish director Selma Vilhunen stumbled upon this community of toy horse racing enthusiasts online, and her fascination grew as she observed a well-organised system involving students, instructors, competitions, and judges. This led to the release of her documentary, *Hobby Horse Revolution*, in 2017, which played a key role in bringing hobbyhorsing into the public spotlight.
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Rules and general provisions
- Riding hobby horses may seem straightforward at first, but it requires considerable skill. The rider must perform for both themselves and the horse simultaneously. They hold the stick in one hand and the reins in the other, while ensuring that their upper body remains perfectly still, with a straight back and level shoulders. Below the stick is where the "horse" comes alive; graceful prancing, trotting, and galloping are all executed through leg movements, including jumps over barriers that can reach heights of up to 1.1 metres. Many athletes dedicate a significant amount of time to achieving the perfect stride.
- While hobby horses can be purchased from online retailers, true enthusiasts often craft their own. Some handmade hobby horses can fetch high prices at auctions, with values soaring up to $200.
- Competitions feature both dressage and show jumping, where athletes are judged on their rhythm and endurance. Judges evaluate the quality of the gait, the height and smoothness of the steps, the rider's posture, their grip on the horse and reins, and their overall confidence—all of which contribute to their performance assessment.
- Participants must adhere to a set of general guidelines, which are not overly stringent:
- Riders are required to wear helmets, suitable clothing, and appropriate footwear.
- Pets are not permitted at the event.
- The consumption or possession of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited.
- Hobby horses must be in good condition and presentable, with a preference for shorter poles.
- The performance must be completed within the designated time frame.
- Ultimately, the judge's decision is final.
Popularity and distribution
The release of Selma Vilhunen's film sparked a rise in support for hobbyhorsing. Since 2017, Finland has hosted annual hobbyhorsing championships each summer. Alisa Aarniomaki, a key figure in the movement, has been invited to demonstrate the sport in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Russia. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs even reached out to her to create hobbyhorses for Prince William's children, George and Charlotte. In several Western countries, hobbyhorsing is now recognised as an organised sport.
The UK has held competitions since 2018, with backing from the British Horse Society (BHS). In 2019, Russia established the Hobbyhorsing Federation, conducting its inaugural tournaments. By 2024, hobbyhorsing championships were introduced in Germany (Frankfurt), the USA (White Oak Stables and WinWin Equine), and Australia (Queensland). While teenage girls are the primary participants, young men and adults have also engaged in these tournaments, indicating that the sport is transcending its initial age and gender boundaries and gaining widespread appeal.
Criticism
Alisa Aarniomaki believes that hobbyhorsing was invented by girls and should remain a female sport. There should be no boys who come to dominate and tell girls what to do. Although there is no official ban on boys or young men participating in competitions, on championship days there are either none at all, or young men can literally be counted on the fingers of one hand. This is due to the unspoken feminist approach to organising hobbyhorsing competitions.
This position is criticised by young men, who believe that sport cannot be the preserve of a limited group of people. Sport is like air, anyone can count on it.
This story echoes the eternal gender struggle, in this case, its roots lie in the youthful maximalism of the founder of the sport.
The Future of Hobbyhorsing
An increasing number of individuals across various countries have embraced this hobby, with many approaching it with seriousness by studying the rules and offering critiques. This level of scrutiny signifies that hobbyhorsing has established itself as a prominent phenomenon. The growing interest further solidifies its standing, raising questions about the future of this sport, which seems a natural progression.
It's challenging to assess what fate has in store for this newfound passion among young girls. Whether this represents a forward-looking trend in sports or merely a fleeting fantasy of youth remains to be seen.
The future of real horse racing is unclear. The competition from other sports is intensifying, and the core audience of loyal fans is gradually ageing, making way for a new generation that has different values and priorities. On one hand, hobbyhorsing could regress to its origins, becoming a pastime linked to traditional wooden toys, with young girls eventually outgrowing it and storing their horse toys away with their dolls, strollers, and jump ropes.
On the other hand, it's also possible that racing on wooden horses could evolve into a professional sport, presenting itself as an alternative to traditional equestrian sports and racing. While it may retain its current structure, changes could occur that are difficult to predict. One can speculate about the integration of modern technology into its technical aspects, as it's unlikely that the sport will continue in a purely archaic format involving just a stick between the legs.
Regardless, the current state of hobbyhorsing and its enthusiasts is fascinating. It poses no harm and offers clear health benefits to its participants. If jumping with a toy horse brings joy to someone, then that's perfectly fine—let it be.