In an era of digital gaming and high-tech pastimes, a traditional hobby is taking off among the youth. The seemingly unusual sport of Hobby Horsing – riding and performing on a stick horse – is experiencing a steady increase in popularity, particularly among young enthusiasts. From taking flight in Finland to becoming a viral sensation through social media, the trend of hobby horsing has managed to captivate thousands of followers in the United States.
The world of hobby horsing came into the limelight when a young equestrian enthusiast from Carmel, Indiana, gained national attention for mastering this unfamiliar hobby. 12-year-old Ava Apodaca, a resident of Saddlebrook division and budding hobby horse competitor, is a sight to behold as she skillfully practices jumps and hurdles using her trusty hobby horse.
For Ava, hobby horsing is more than a child’s play; it’s both a sport and a passion, depending on how one perceives it. Proudly stating her view, she said, “I think it’s a sport, but some people think it’s a hobby because they don’t do it competitively. I do, and when I first started I could only jump like 80 centimeters. I can jump over a meter now.”
While hobby horse enthusiasts like Ava view the sport as a fun and unique form of self-expression, outsiders often react with amusement or bewilderment. However, this has not deterred Ava’s enthusiasm or diminished her participation in the activity. She said, “I get people on my YouTube comments, people saying, ‘What is that?! That’s so weird.’ But hobby horsing, which mimics the movements of equestrian, is galloping into the mainstream.”
According to Ava, her hobby horse venture blossomed four years ago when she discovered the sport on YouTube during the pandemic. Although an ardent horse lover, owning a real horse was a distant dream. However, a gift named Frankie, her first hobby horse, turned out to be a game changer. Now, with a corral full of stuffed stallions, Ava has channeled her energy into becoming an accomplished hobby horse rider.
An influential figure in the hobby horsing community, Ava has managed to amass over 42,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel. Her viral videos share more than just her hobby horse stunts. They inspire other girls and boost their self-esteem. Along with sharing her love for hobby horsing, Ava uses her platform to spread positivity. “It’s just to really show people that you can be who you want to be, and other people’s opinions shouldn’t really bother you,” she expressed.
Ava, a trailblazer in the field, accrued more than just high scores at the inaugural U.S. Hobby Horsing Championships held in Michigan this summer. Aside from placing fifth at the competition, she earned the admiration of kindred spirits and eventually shot to fame among the hobby horsing community: “When I got there, I was like, ‘Whoa!’ I thought maybe two people would know me from YouTube, but like everyone knew my name.”
Despite achieving success in the hobby horse world, Ava’s childhood dream of riding a real horse materialized when her mom recently leased Nobi part-time. She admits that the experience of riding a real horse exceeded her expectations, yet she continues to cherish hobby horsing, the unique hobby that set her riding journey in motion. As Ava’s mother proudly asserts, “It’s great to see her fly high,” it seems this young equestrian enthusiast will continue to soar in pursuit of her passion, reshaping the perception of hobby horsing along the way.
