Holding the reins, determined look on her face, Alisa Aarniomaki leans forward into the gallop. With a leap, she and her steed clear the barricade. But that’s not the sound of hooves hitting the wood floor on the other side. It’s Alisa’s own feet. Her mount is a stick horse.
That’s right. A puffy, fabric horse head on a stick. Hobby-horse competition is a sport that’s gained such a following in Finland, it’s now spreading to other countries.
About 10,000 participants—mostly girls between the ages of 10 and 17—have become smitten by the activity in Finland. Most make their own horses, complete with glued-on eyes, yarn and ribbon manes, and attached reins.
Like a real horse and rider, the hobby-horse and its master form a team—or so we’re told. The sport simulates traditional equestrian events, including competing in dressage (fancy foot steps and bows) and show jumping. Some of the gymnastics involved are physically demanding.
What’s the appeal of hobby-horsing? Many of the girls interviewed say they like the physical activity without the demands of most modern sports. Lack of strict rules and ceremonies are positives. That takes the pressure off some who want to play but don’t feel up to the performance standards of competitive teams. The opportunity to be imaginative and creative and the bonding that produces new friendships also figure in as big parts of the attraction for the young women. And then, there are the horses.
Fred Sundwall is the secretary general of the Equestrian Federation of Finland. He doesn’t look down on the hobby-horsing sport. Instead, he encourages it. “It gives a chance to those children and teens who don’t own horses to interact with them,” he says—even if that interaction is largely in the form of imagination.
For riders like Alisa, the activity is a stress-reliever too. “Hobby-horsing has a strong therapeutic side to it,” she says. She adds that it has helped her deal with difficult personal issues, such as bullying at school. She even goes “galloping into the woods with my friends” when she wants a relaxing break. “It somehow balances my mind.”
God made our bodies and minds to work together. Regular exercise is good not only for physical strength but also for mental clarity and positive mood. Exercise that you enjoy is even better! Would you pick up a stick horse and join the fun?
