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• Some 260 riders from 22 countries showed up to the 11th annual Finnish Hobby Horse Championships in Seinajoki, Finland, AFP reported.
We could stop right there, but why would we?
Hobby horsing involves people riding stick horses through a series of jumps, intricate dressage moves and Western riding events.
While hobby horsing is not recognized as an official sport in Finland, participants take it seriously.
"We have faced so much bullying and judgment," rider Nara Arlin, 24, said.
Even so, the sport "is growing every year," said Julia Mikkonen, chair of the Finnish hobby horse association.
She notes the athleticism involved in some of the events: "If you jump over obstacles, your hip mobility has to be absolutely insane," she said. She estimates there are about 10,000 hobby horsers worldwide. [AFP, 6/26/2024]