When I first saw a hobby horsing competition, I thought like many others: Hobby horsing, what a strange sport? But after just a few minutes, my opinion changed. It turned out to be fun, beneficial, and interesting. The people who participate in hobby horsing are young, cheerful, and lively personalities, free from complexes and prejudices. They simply do what they enjoy without worrying about the opinions of others. In this short article, I will explain what hobby horsing is and why it's worth trying. Hobby horsing is a sport that combines imagination with physical activity, where participants enjoy the process and infect the audience with their positive energy. It's something special, and I hope that after reading this, you'll want to learn more about it.
Table of Contents
Hobby horsing: What is it?
Hobby horsing is a form of physical activity where participants mimic horseback riding with a hobby horse, also called Hobby Horse. This fascinating activity is typically practiced by children and teenagers but is open to people of all ages.
To engage in this unusual sport, you need a set of qualities: a good sense of humor, discipline, a vivid imagination, and good physical fitness. When you watch athletes practicing hobby horsing, you'll see smiling young people in excellent physical shape. This sport combines elements of gymnastics, athletics, and acting. The participants don't just walk around with a toy horse – they are riders who overcome obstacles and perform complex maneuvers.
Hobby horsing attracts people due to its accessibility and the opportunity for self-expression. It doesn't require expensive equipment or special conditions, making it ideal for those who want to try something new and unusual in the world of sports and entertainment.
Unlike other sports, all you need to start hobby horsing is sportswear, a toy horse, and a good mood.
Hobby horsing: Brief History of the Sport
Hobby horsing originated in the early 2000s in Finland. The playful activity of young girls quickly evolved into a serious sport. Finn Elsa Salo is considered one of the pioneers who significantly contributed to the development and spread of the sport.
In 2012, Finland hosted the first official hobby horsing tournament, giving the sport a significant boost in popularity. Since then, hobby horsing has rapidly evolved and spread. Social media played a crucial role as enthusiasts could share their techniques and competitions online.
In recent years, hobby horsing has expanded beyond Finland's borders. Countries like Sweden, Germany, and even the USA have developed their own hobby horsing communities. International competitions are regularly held, attracting more participants and spectators.
Today, hobby horsing is often part of physical education classes in some schools in many countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands. Children love these role-playing activities. They strengthen the body, are safe, and entertaining. Despite initial skepticism and sometimes ridicule, hobby horsing has established itself as a serious sport. It promotes physical fitness, enhances creative skills, and strengthens social bonds.
Hobby horsing: Rules
In hobby horsing, there are various disciplines based on traditional equestrian sports:
- Show Jumping: This is a competition in overcoming obstacles. Participants must navigate a course with several obstacles of varying height and difficulty. Judging is based on the speed of completion and the cleanliness of the jumps. Knocking down a bar or refusal to jump results in penalty points.
- Dressage: In this discipline, riders perform various riding elements in a specific order. They execute maneuvers such as voltes, serpentines, piaffe, and passage. Judges evaluate the accuracy of execution, the smoothness of transitions, and the overall harmony of the performance.
- Trail: This is an obstacle course where participants must demonstrate their skills in various scenarios. The course may include elements like navigating tight corridors, crossing tree trunks, or opening and closing gates. Scoring is based on the accuracy and speed of task completion as well as the overall impression of the performance.
The evaluation is done by experienced judges who pay attention to the following criteria:
- Technique and precision of movements
- Style and expression
- Difficulty level of the elements shown
- Overall impression of the performance
Participants are grouped by age and sometimes also by skill levels to ensure fair competition. There are categories for children, teenagers, and adults.
The specific rules may vary depending on the event, but the focus is always on fun, fairness, and the promotion of physical abilities of the participants.
Hobby Horsing: Competitions
In recent years, hobby horsing competitions have gained popularity. In Germany, regional tournaments are regularly held, organized by local clubs or enthusiast groups. These events often attract between 50 and 100 participants and are becoming increasingly popular.
Finland remains a leader in the hobby horsing scene. The annual Finnish championships in Helsinki attract hundreds of participants from across the country. In recent years, other European countries such as Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands have also joined the movement. There are even international hobby horsing competitions. Participants from many countries take part in these events (I was surprised too, but it's true). The trend shows that hobby horsing is developing very quickly. Remember my words: In 10 years, it will be on the list of summer sports at the Olympic Games.
The growing global reach of this sport demonstrates its potential and attractiveness to people of different age groups.
Hobby Horsing: Health Benefits
Trend Towards Decreased Physical Activity
In recent years, there has been a concerning trend: teenagers are engaging in sports less and less. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 80% of teenagers worldwide do not meet the recommended standards for physical activity - at least one hour per day. The situation is particularly critical for girls: their level of physical inactivity is at 85% compared to 78% for boys.
Sports in Nature and Its Health Benefits
As an author and a father, I support any form of active recreation in nature, especially those that contribute to improving physical health. The goal of almost every children's sport is to promote health. In hobby horsing, there are no exercises that could potentially be harmful to children. It's not about random incidents, but about the nature of the exercises themselves.
Hobby horsing includes various exercises:
- Jumping: Strengthens the leg muscles and improves strength and endurance.
- Running: Develops the cardiovascular system and improves overall physical fitness.
- Squats: Strengthen the thigh and gluteal muscles and promote balance and coordination.
These exercises comprehensively develop coordination, balance, and overall physical fitness, which is crucial for the growing organism of a child.
In addition to the physical benefits, hobby horsing is a role-playing game that stimulates children's imagination and creativity. During play, they create diverse scenarios and images, promoting their cognitive development. For adults, hobby horsing serves as an excellent way to nurture a sense of humor and self-irony - important aspects of mental health.
Conclusion
Hobby horsing is more than just a trend - it is a sport that combines fun, fitness, and creativity. In conclusion:
- Hobby horsing promotes physical activity in a time when lack of exercise among teenagers is a growing issue.
- It offers diverse health benefits, from strengthening muscles to improving coordination and balance.
- As a role-playing game, it supports the cognitive and emotional development of children.
- For adults, it provides a way to relieve stress and foster creativity.
However, the most important thing is that the people who practice hobby horsing are doing something that brings them joy. They do not care how it may look to outsiders. They have no complexes or problems with it. When you watch them, they radiate joy and enjoy the process – and that is exactly what counts.
I wish all hobby horsing enthusiasts a lot of fun and success in their extraordinary sport!