The hobby or sport of hobby horsing is about holding onto a hobbyhorse while performing (there are competitive tournaments) like a horse and rider. This can include show jumping (hurdles), barrel racing, galloping, and dressage. Mainly young women. Much easier for them to do all the running and jumping. Also, they might not feel silly about performing with a toy horse. I think its great exercise and something creative and active to do.

Riders are judged for their coordination, balance, energy and body control and overall performance of show with energy and style. Also for the grooming of the hobbyhorse!

Hobby horsing is a sport with gymnastic elements which uses hobby horses, also known as stick horses. Movement sequences similar to those in show jumping or dressage are partly simulated in courses. The participants predominantly use self-made hobby horses.

Introduced through Selma Vilhunen's 2017 film Keppihevosten vallankumous (Hobbyhorse Revolution). Official trailer on YouTube.

In Finland, the country of origin of the hobby, an annual national championship is held in addition to regional competitions. Popular with girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 18 years. The first Australian national championship was held in Queensland in 2024. The European championships of hobby horsing will be hosted for the first time ever in 2026 in the Czech Republic. It will be hosted by the IHHF (International Hobbyhorse Federation).

Condensed from Wikipedia - Hobby Horsing

International Hobbyhorse Federation

Hobbyhorse Canada - Not updated in awhile. The Facebook page, Hobby Horse Canada (Duntroon, Ontario) is active.

Artemis Hobbyhorses - Hobbyhorse artisan and performer from Sweden.

The website I found this on is gone years ago. But, the idea is not. I have wondered why Canada doesn't have its own hocky league, not including teams in the US. Why is the NHL, not really the National Hockey League, for Canada instead of North America (not including Mexico, so far).

Here is what had been posted as the 'About' page on the old site:

The Campaign for Canadian Hockey Independence

WE - THE HOCKEY PEOPLE OF CANADA - are tired of waiting, paying and being ignored.... and, after much debate and discussion, on July 4th, 2009, the People came together to form a Revolutionary organization.

This organization - The Canadian Revolution - is a Campaign for Canadian Hockey Independence ... and we have a goal in mind. A cross-Canada, world-class professional hockey league that serves the interests of all involved: Owners/Cities, Players and Fans.

Our organization – at once both grassroots as well as connected – is comprised of a broad spectrum of Canadian hockey patriots. By agitating for our common purpose – and planning to deliver upon that promise – we are laying the foundation for Canadian hockey success stories written across this great land and for many years to come.

WE know that no task is easy. But once we have unveiled the plan – and we have all had a chance to debate and discuss the open and honest facts (for a change), the Revolutionary committee is confident that we will ‘fill the rink' with ease in terms of attracting interested cities (more than 25 cities in Canada have populations in excess of 100,000.... or almost 1,000,000 by American standards based upon a new statistical model, the Hockey Avidity Quotient/HAQ).

WE have heard the Players' Association lament the League's refusal to ‘pass the puck to Canada ' and we also know that the players, specifically the Canadian players, have been seeking a more equitable model of operation. The Plan will unveil a true partnership for all involved.

WE have heard the protests, the anguished pleas of the fine citizens of Winnipeg and Quebec City and we, the Canadian Revolution, avow to protect the rights of all Canadian hockey fans against the impartial removal of franchises (and, amazingly, the refusal to allow for their re-absorption back into the Canadian hockey hotbed).

WE are you – and YOU are WE. WE are all Canadian Hockey Patriots.

And, on August 1st, 2009, the Revolution will intensify as the Plan is revealed and, for the first time in our collective sporting history, Canadians will have the opportunity of controlling their own hockey destiny, clear of any undue or unwanted foreign influence.

WE THE HOCKEY PEOPLE OF CANADA STAND READY TO FIGHT THE CANADIAN REVOLUTION AND INVITE ONE AND ALL TO JOIN US IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR CANADIAN HOCKEY INDEPENDENCE !

The Communications Committee The Canadian Revolution July 8, 2009