FRANKFURT: Germany’s first hobby horsing championship kicked off in Frankfurt on Saturday, drawing hundreds of young riders competing on their wooden stick horses. About 300 riders, including 20 adults, participated in events like time jumping, style jumping, and dressage over the weekend, with 1,500 spectators watching.
Hobby horsing, which began in Finland over 20 years ago, has gained global popularity, especially through social media during the pandemic. It blends athletics and gymnastics and is seen as empowering, particularly for women. Andreas Karasek from the German Hobby Horsing Association noted that the sport, though it might seem humorous, requires athleticism and good physical condition.
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Felicia Walter, an 18-year-old from Wiesbaden, expressed her enthusiasm for the sport, noting the sense of community and togetherness despite past ridicule. Britta Skott, a three-year hobby horsing enthusiast, finds joy in the sport and appreciates the opportunity to engage with horses without riding real ones.
Julia Mikkonen from the Finnish Hobbyhorse Association highlighted that hobby horsing combines Finnish handcrafting traditions with sport. In Germany, the national hobby horsing association, founded a year ago, now boasts over 5,000 active participants and more than 200 clubs.
Kay Schumann, president of the German Hobby Horsing Association, emphasized the importance of the championship in motivating athletes and making the sport more popular. Despite some criticism and online bullying, the sport is gaining recognition for its athletic demands. Competitors in Germany are judged on precision, timing, and elegance in dressage and style jumping, with awards based on their performance.
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Schumann noted that the sport’s growth in Germany was fuelled by social media, where enthusiasts shared videos and built a vibrant community.
