Saddleview Pony club said hobby horse riding had been a galloping success for its riders without horses programme.
Hobbyhorses consist of a stuffed or carved horse head, mounted on a stick that its rider straddles, such toys having existed since at least as far back as the 16th century.
Now, the pastime had been brought into the 21st century as riders mimick traditional equestrian sports from the saddles of their pretend steeds.
"They have to mimic cantering properly, put some artistic flair into it."
Riders were also timed as they were traversing the course.
The idea came from watching YouTube videos of the Hobbyhorse Championship in Finland, where the pastime is popular.
To get the concept up and running, the club first needed to procure some horses.
A call for help was put out to the Blokes’ Shed in Mosgiel, and soon the club was the proud owner of six new wooden steeds.
After adding a sprinkle of glitter and sparkles, the children of the club named their new mounts Shadow, Disco, Trixie, Sky, Goldie and Blue.
It may sound like child’s play, but there was a serious focus behind the fun and games.
Hobbyhorse riding was part of the club’s riders without horses programme, and "the main focus ... is learning some of the skills they need when they go on the riding [ponies]"
Children could learn the rules of riding games, basics of tackling jumps, and dressage routines before they saddled up on a real horse.
"They can learn all of that arena craft on foot."
Current members of the programme were aged from 8 to 12 years old, but the club catered to people from 4 to 25.
It was designed to give children and parents who do not own a horse the opportunity to get involved in a pony club in a different way, and the club tries to give participants opportunities to ride horses at the club whenever possible.
Hobbyhorse competitions were a way to get these children involved in end-of-season competitions despite lacking a horse.
The club wanted to set up competitions with other clubs in the Dunedin district, and was not aware of any other pony clubs in New Zealand running a hobbyhorse programme, Mrs Fuller said.
The club was in the early stages of planning a hobbyhorse fundraising event, and was considering adding a showjumping contest and a masters section for adults to compete.
- By Andrew Marshall
