Seinäjoki: A jockey held the reins of his horse and there was a commotion in the crowded arena.
Welcome to the surprising world of Finnish sports horses that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Dressed horses go as fast as they can against the clock, like galloping horses.
Dressage is even more spectacular, with riders trailing their stud horses in elaborately decorated doll headdresses before the judges’ discerning eyes.
Around 260 riders from 22 countries – mostly women between the ages of 10 and 20 – competed in the 11th Finnish Championships in Seinajoki.
But despite its international reach, from the Arctic to Argentina, it’s a sport that doesn’t dare call itself a hobby horse.
Despite its rise in popularity, it is not officially recognized as an official sport in its birthplace.
“We face a lot of bullying and judgment,” rider Nara Arlin, 24, told AFP.
“We know what everyone who rides hobby horses goes through … I think that’s the main thing that attracts us.”
First created in Finland more than a decade ago, the hobby horse has taken off racing around the world.
“It’s growing every year,” says Julia Mikkonen, head of the Finnish Hobby Horse Association.
This year’s championship was “the biggest ever,” he said.
Unfortunately, it takes a lot of strength and skill to jump over obstacles while holding a hobby horse. Some top competitors can give elite hurdlers or gymnasts a run for their money.
“If you jump over an obstacle, the movement of your kidneys must be crazy,” said 20-year-old Mikkonen, who is 110 centimeters (3.6 feet) tall.
“Of course, we all dream of having a world championship one day,” said Mikkonen, who estimates there are around 10,000 hobby horses in the world.
“I’m still a bit out of breath, but I’m happy with my performance,” said 19-year-old Jojo Hanninen as she sat down after the dress-up event.
To succeed in the sport, you have to channel your inner swimmer, he said.
“My interest is in hobby horses…horses and men,” he said.
Gannine’s cute horse is a gray Toope with a white glitter cane and a pink ribbon.
Competitors work hard with their horses—which are also exhibited and judged—modeling and sewing heads and decorating them with decorations.
“Hobby horses are an art,” Arlene said herself.
The cheers of the crowd still ring in his ears after his impressive performance and he hailed the sport as “the best hobby ever”.
“You do a lot with your hands, your brain and your whole body.”
Like many of her peers, Arlene was involved in games as a child.
“But as I got older, I became more serious,” said the rider, who trains by riding real horses, working out in the gym and pole dancing.
International flags represent the enduring values that sustain society.
“Equestrian is often seen as a girl’s sport, but that is not true. Anyone can come, regardless of gender,” said Mikkonen.
Every AFP fancier spoke to praise the welcoming community, which has maintained its loyalty to the sport despite the ridiculous attitude it has faced over the years. “We have each other’s backs,” Arlene said.
