Hobby horsing: Germany hosts first national championships

Is equestrianism already out of fashion? Stick horses are increasingly replacing real, living horses. We're talking about hobby horsing, a new sports discipline most commonly practised by children and teenagers. National competitions in hobby horsing took place for the first time in Germany.

Horseback riding has been popular among children, teenagers, and adults for years. Equestrian fans argue that this sport offers the opportunity to commune with nature and a large, powerful animal that responds to the slightest hand or leg movements. Not everyone needs to jump over high obstacles to experience the magic of horseback riding. Often, it is said that the greatest pleasure comes from simple rides. But what to do if you're allergic to the sport or if any stable is far from home?

The popularity of hobby horsing has been steadily increasing for several years. What exactly is this sport about? Riders use their legs instead of the muscle power of horses. Instead of the whole animal, they use a plush horse's head attached to a stick that is placed between the rider's legs, so it doesn't block movements such as running or jumping. Hobby horsing competitors regularly organise events to test their skills. Until now, however, no event had national significance. German athletes were the first to achieve this distinction.

On the weekend of September 14-15, 2024, the first national hobby horsing competitions were held in Frankfurt. Around 300 riders competed in three categories: jumping over obstacles in two subcategories: time and precision, as well as in dressage. Approximately 1,500 spectators gathered in the sports hall to cheer on the competitors.

Max Gohde, a 15-year-old participant from Gifhorn, Germany, who has been training since 2020, said in an interview with the "NY Post": "Hobby horsing just gives me self-confidence and I just enjoy doing it with other people."

Andreas Karasek, Director of Public Relations for the German Hobby Horsing Association, emphasized that hobby horsing is a demanding sport: "Of course, when you see it like that, it looks funny at first. In fact, it really is a strenuous sport. It’s a mixture of athletics and gymnastics, and you need to be in good shape for it." The man added that currently, in Germany, there are about 5,000 active hobby horse riders and 230 clubs bringing athletes together.

Source: "NY Post"