Galloping into the spotlight: The UK Hobby Horse competition takes off

Jack Aylmer

YOU MAY HAVE CAUGHT A FEW EQUESTRIAN SPORTING EVENTS AT THIS YEAR’S OLYMPIC GAMES BUT IT’S NOT THE ONLY WAY TO WITNESS SOME HIGH FLYING ATHLETICISM. 

THE FIRST-EVER HOBBY HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS JUST WRAPPED IN THE U-K.

AND YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE COMPETITION.

WHAT BEGAN AS A FUN ACTIVITY HAS EVOLVED INTO A FULL-FLEDGED SPORT. 

THOSE INVOLVED HAD TO LEAP AND GALLOP OVER JUMPS DURING THE CONTEST. 

THE UK HOBBY HORSE ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED THE EVENT. 

WHILE THE TOY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES IT WAS ONLY IN RECENT YEARS – ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, THAT THE SPORT’S POPULARITY HAS TAKEN OFF. 

MANY PEOPLE CITING ITS ACCESSIBILITY. IT’S ALSO AFFORDABLE, INCLUSIVE AND LETS YOUNG RIDERS SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY AND ATHLETICISM. 

MANY PARTICIPANTS SAY HOBBY HORSING HAS GIVE THEM A COMMUNITY TO BE PART OF, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE FELT LEFT OUT OF TRADITIONAL SPORTS. 

IT’S EVEN NOTED FOR ITS POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND ADHD, PROVIDING A SUPPORTIVE SPACE TO HAVE FUN AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

THE FIRST U-S HOBBY HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS WERE HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR IN MICHIGAN. 

MORE THAN 100 COMPETITORS GATHERED FOR THE EVENT LAST MONTH. 

FOR SAN, I’M JACK A.