You know, there's this thing out there that might make you do a double take, a pastime that has really captured the hearts of many people, and it’s called hobby horsing. It's a kind of activity that involves someone acting out horse riding movements with a handmade or a shop-bought horse head on a stick. This isn't just for kids playing pretend; it has grown into a proper sport with real competitions and a truly passionate following. It's almost a bit surprising how something so seemingly simple has taken on such a life of its own, drawing in folks from all walks of life.
For some, this idea might sound, well, a little odd, I mean, you might wonder why someone would want to spend their time doing something like this. But, as a matter of fact, it’s a whole lot more than just playing around. It brings together people who truly love what they do, creating a warm and welcoming group where imagination, togetherness, and physical skill all come together. We're talking about an activity that has found its way from playful beginnings to something quite special, gaining a lot of interest in recent years, especially across different countries.
In this piece, we are going to look at what hobby horsing really means, both the well-known sport and, perhaps surprisingly, another meaning that has to do with boats. We will explore where this unique sport got its start, what you need to take part, and how it has grown into something that brings so much happiness to so many. So, get ready to see hobby horsing in a new light, perhaps even in a way you hadn't thought about before, and see why it's gaining such a loyal group of followers.
Table of Contents
- What is Hobby Horsing, Really?
- The Unexpected Side of Hobby Horsing - Boats and Their Motion
- Why Do Boats "Hobby Horse"?
- How Did Hobby Horsing Become a Sport?
- What Do You Need for Hobby Horsing?
- The Community Around Hobby Horsing
- Hobby Horsing Competitions and Events
- The Future of Hobby Horsing
What is Hobby Horsing, Really?
When most people hear the words "hobby horsing," they probably picture a child with a stick horse, just having a good time. And, in a way, they wouldn't be entirely wrong. A hobby horse, at its heart, is a more grown-up kind of stick horse toy, the sort of thing children play with. It's usually a soft horse head made from cloth, thread, and fluffy material, all set on a stick. However, as a matter of fact, the activity known as hobby horsing has grown far beyond simple playtime. It has become a fascinating blend of physical activity, a fun pastime, and a way for people to show their creative side, and it has gained quite a bit of interest in recent years. This unique way of doing things involves people acting out horse riding movements with their chosen hobby horse.
This activity is quite popular in places like Finland, Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and it's starting to get noticed in the United States too, which is interesting. In hobby horsing, those taking part hold onto their horse on a stick. While the push for jumps or fancy moves comes from the person's own legs, the horse on the stick still plays a central role. It's not just a lighthearted way to pass the time; it’s a group full of imaginative ideas, physical skill, and happiness. Whether you are an adult wanting to revisit childhood memories or a young person just starting out, there's a place for you. This activity is, you know, a popular kind of sport where the hobby horse becomes a true partner in the fun. The handle of the hobby horse is much shorter than that of the old-style stick horse, which makes it suitable for this particular way of doing things.
The Unexpected Side of Hobby Horsing - Boats and Their Motion
Interestingly enough, the phrase "hobby horsing" isn't just about stick horses and jumping. It also describes a very specific kind of movement that boats can make, and it's something boat owners often talk about. This other kind of hobby horsing happens when a boat moves up and down a lot at its front and back, almost like a horse bobbing its head. The downside of this kind of hobby horsing is that this up-and-down motion tends to mess with the smooth flow of air over the sails and the water moving past the bottom part of the boat, which can slow the boat down. It also makes the boat drift sideways more, which is not ideal. This might sound a bit opposite to what many people think causes this boat motion, but the basic idea of how a boat balances and moves up and down in the water should be at play here, you see.
Over many years, in lots of places where boats drop anchor all around the world, people have noticed boats with two pointed ends, called double enders, doing this "hobby horsing" while at anchor. Some do it more than others, for sure, but all of them tend to move more than a wide boat might. There's been a lot of good, detailed talk about this boat motion. For instance, a boat could start to "hobby horse" if it hits waves at just the right timing to make it bounce a lot. I, for one, don't have enough personal knowledge with boats that have more than one main body to really say much about certain detailed points. But, as a matter of fact, we have some very good friends who are traveling for a long time and quite far away in a Manta 42 boat, and they have shared their experiences about this very thing.
Why Do Boats "Hobby Horse"?
When boats were first thought up, the common belief was that heavy boats with a full keel, the long fin underneath, were naturally steadier in the water. Also, it was thought that narrower boats moved faster. That general feeling is still around today, despite what some might see. You know, it makes you wonder how a certain type of boat, also with a twenty-two-foot waterline, but weighing a good bit less, would be more stable and move less like this. For what it's worth, a particular boat design, the Ingrid design, was considered one of the best boats with two pointed ends. Its greater length allowed for thinner front sections, which meant less of this up-and-down boat motion and much better movement against the wind. Even when the ropes are tied very well to the dock in strong wind, there can be constant up-and-down boat motion. I, for one, tend to use ropes with three strands for tying to the dock because they give a bit more, and I use heavy rubber pieces to help with this too.
How Did Hobby Horsing Become a Sport?
Finland is, you know, the true home of the hobby horsing sport. This activity started as an official sport in Finland in 2012 and quickly became popular across Europe and the United States soon after. It really shows how people who do what they truly love are some of the coolest people you will ever meet. There are even different versions of the Finnish Hobbyhorse Championships, with regular updates about them! I mean, let me tell you about the biggest hobbyhorse competition in the world! The Finnish Hobbyhorse Championships happens every year, put on by skhhry.fi in Finland. This event truly brings together the best of the best in this interesting sport, showcasing the skill and dedication of those who take part.
Julia Mikkonen, who leads the Finnish Hobbyhorse Association, has said that hobby horsing brings together Finnish handcrafting culture. Some people who ride these horses make and decorate their own sticks and soft horse heads, which is pretty neat. This really highlights the creative side of the sport, where each horse can be a unique piece of art. For someone like Filppa, hobby horsing is clearly one of the things she loves doing the most. But for many of the judges on a talent show, it might have looked more like just playing around. One judge, for instance, openly said, "I don't understand this," which just goes to show how new and different this activity can be for some people to grasp. Still, its popularity keeps growing, which is a testament to its appeal.
What Do You Need for Hobby Horsing?
To get started with hobby horsing, you really don't need much, which is part of its charm. All that's needed for this activity is, well, a hobby horse. This can be one you make yourself, perhaps from fabric, thread, and soft stuffing, or one you buy from a shop. It's basically a stick with a horse's head on it, simple as that. Every event in hobby horsing needs the use of one of these, a soft horse head on a stick. While the strength for jumps or special moves comes from the hobby horser's own legs, the horse on the stick still plays a vital role in the performance. It becomes, you know, a sort of partner in the athletic display.
People who take part in this activity go to great lengths with their hobby horses. For example, Hanninen has a grey hobby horse named Toope, and it has sparkly reins and pink ribbons that make its white mane look even prettier. This shows how much care and personal touch people put into their hobby horses, making each one special. It’s a bit like how real horse riders might prepare their horses for a show, really. The personal connection to their hobby horse is a big part of the fun and dedication. So, to be honest, it's about more than just having the horse; it's about making it your own and putting your heart into it.
The Community Around Hobby Horsing
The spirit of hobby horsing is truly something special. It's not just a lighthearted pastime; it's a lively group full of creative ideas, physical effort, and happiness. This is a place where people find a sense of belonging, a shared passion that brings them together. Whether you are an adult looking to bring back some of your childhood fun or a young person just finding your feet in this activity, there’s a spot for you here. The encouragement and support within this group are pretty clear, as people cheer each other on and share tips and tricks. You know, it’s a place where everyone can feel welcome and express themselves freely.
The activity itself, in some respects, is a very interesting mix of physical challenge, a fun way to spend time, and a means of showing what you can create. It has gained a good deal of interest in recent years, which is quite something. This particular way of doing things involves people riding their hobby horses and doing things that are like horse riding. It truly brings people together who share a common interest, allowing them to connect over something they all care about deeply. The feeling of togetherness is a big part of what makes this activity so appealing to so many people, as a matter of fact.
Hobby Horsing Competitions and Events
The excitement around hobby horsing really picks up during its competitions and events. For instance, the worldwide sport of hobby horsing first appeared in America at Tryon International in 2017, which was a pretty big deal. This was a favorite free event on Saturday afternoons in July and October, drawing in crowds and showing what this activity is all about. There's a lot of anticipation for future events too. We, for one, are really looking forward to seeing everyone at the 2025 US Hobby Horse Championships. There's been a lot of increased excitement about the United States Hobby Horse Championships coming up in 2025, which shows how much this sport is growing.
These events are where people can truly see the skills involved in hobby horsing. People who take part show off their jumps, their fancy moves, and how well they can work with their hobby horses. It’s a chance for them to show all the hard work and practice they've put in. The atmosphere at these events is usually very supportive and full of energy, with people cheering for each other. It’s a real celebration of creativity, togetherness, and physical activity, you know, where sports truly come alive. These gatherings are a wonderful way to find out more about hobby horsing and even become a part of its growing group.
The Future of Hobby Horsing
Looking ahead, the path for hobby horsing seems pretty bright. It has grown from a playful pastime into a proper sport with a dedicated following, and that's something to think about. The fact that it's gaining interest in new places, like the United States, shows that it has a lot of room to keep getting bigger. The continued excitement around national championships, like the one coming up in 2025, really points to a strong future. This activity, which combines physical skill with imaginative play, clearly has a lasting appeal for many people. It’s not just a passing thing; it’s something that truly resonates with those who get involved.
The blend of making things by hand, physical activity, and being part of a group makes hobby horsing quite unique. As more people discover how much fun hobby horsing can be, and how it brings together creativity, togetherness, and sports, it will likely keep growing. It's almost a bit inspiring to see how a simple idea can turn into such a meaningful activity for so many. The passion of the people involved, like those who make their own horses or compete in events, is what truly keeps this activity moving forward. So, it's pretty clear that hobby horsing will continue to be a source of happiness and connection for a long time to come.
