Zoe, 11 years old: Brave rider defies bullying during hobby horsing!

Zoe, 11 years old: Brave rider defies bullying during hobby horsing!

The sun was shining from the sky when the traditional riding and jumping tournament of the Brieselang riding and driving club was in full swing today, June 23, 2025. Among the participants was eleven-year-old Zoe, who sprinted over the obstacles with her hobby horse and infected the enthusiastic spectators with her passion for the hobby of horsing. Her interest in the sport was sparked by captivating videos on the Internet and today leads her into the sporting arena.

Zoe, who trains at the Dallgow Equestrian Park, put a lot of effort into preparing for this day of the competition. Equipped with her hobby horse, which she received as a Christmas present, she went through stretching and warm-up exercises as well as jumps before her performance. “Hobby horsing is a strenuous sport, it requires a lot of endurance and strength,” she explains. She now even owns three hobby horses in which she has invested her pocket money and gifts and trains under the guidance of trainer Tina Twelkmeyer, who is also active as a youth supervisor in the equestrian park.

Competition and team spirit

It was hot on the day of the competition in Brieselang, with temperatures reaching an impressive 34 degrees. Zoe competed in the Hobby Horsing team dressage and the Hobby Horsing show jumping competition with her teammates Roxy and Ava. But they ultimately competed with only three participants, which led to them not being evaluated in dressage, as four starters are required for a team. The fourth girl, who didn't dare to start, had been bullied at school because of her hobby, which made the whole situation even more dramatic.

Despite these challenges, Roxy was able to take fifth place in the Hobby Horsing show jumping event and proudly showed off her competition ribbon. Coach and judge Thomas Kriwens made it clear how important creative activity and movement are for children.

Growing interest in hobby horsing

Hobby horsing, which comes from Finland and began as a children's toy in 1540, has developed into a serious sport over the years. Since the 2000s, handmade models have been created from simple hobbyhorses, which gained popularity primarily through social media. The German Hobby Horsing Association e. V. was founded in 2023 and is now an important part of the scene, with the first official rules for dressage and jumping being published in 2024.

The popularity of hobby horsing is constantly increasing, and the first German championship in hobby horsing took place in September 2024, with an impressive 300 participants and over 2,000 visitors. The rules of the German Hobby Horsing Association define the necessary standards for safe and fair competitions and are characterized by clear guidelines on tournament organization, equipment and respectful treatment among participants. New track figures, such as the introduction of a serpentine line in dressage, have also become part of these rules (deutscher-hobby-horsing-verband).

The increasing number of participants and the growing interest make it clear that Hobby Horsing has firmly anchored itself in the hearts of children and young people in Germany. Sport not only offers a platform for exercise, but also promotes team spirit and the creative potential of young athletes (hobby-horsing-germany).

It's nice to see how Zoe and her friends find their place in this lively community and continue to break new ground with their commitment to the hobby of horsing. You can find out more about Zoe’s adventures and the upcoming developments in this unique sports field at the next event!