Germany's first hobby horsing championship will gallop through Frankfurt this weekend, with hundreds of young riders competing in time jumping, style jumping and dressage on their wooden stick horses.
A participant clears the bar during the first German Hobby Horsing Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Last Updated Saturday, September 14, 2024 11:06AM EDT
The events stemmed from a grassroots movement in Finland, where riders trotted their hobby horses through Nordic forests more than 20 years ago. The pastime has since exploded in popularity through social media during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and it has been credited with highlighting female empowerment for the enthusiasts.
“It was very important to us to set an example and make the sport more popular,” said Kay Schumann, president of the German Hobby Horsing Association. "With the championship, which will be held every year from now on, we offer a goal that motivates hobby horsers to improve their performance and compete against each other."
Competitors in Germany this weekend will be judged on factors including precision, timing and elegance, according to the German Hobby Horsing Association's website. Judges will award marks in the style and dressage contests, and the highest score wins.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why aren't more men reading fiction?An elderly man reads a book at a stand of antique books during the Frankfurt Book Fair 2011 on October 13, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Read more »
Volkswagen is cancelling a no-layoffs pledge and won't rule out closing plants in GermanyFRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany's Volkswagen says auto industry headwinds mean it can't rule out plant closings in its home country - and is dropping a...
Read more »
Germany deports Afghan nationals for first time since Taliban takeover in 2021BERLIN (AP) — Germany deported Afghan nationals on Friday for the first time since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power.
Read more »
Germany deports 28 Afghan nationals to their homeland, the first since the Taliban takeover in 2021Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit described the 28 Afghan nationals as convicted criminals but did not immediately respond to a request for comment to clarify their offenses.
Read more »
Germany deports 28 Afghan nationals to their homeland, the first since the Taliban takeover in 2021Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit described the 28 Afghan nationals as convicted criminals but did not immediately respond to a request for comment to clarify their offenses
Read more »
Germany deports 28 Afghan nationals to their homeland, the first since the Taliban takeover in 2021BERLIN (AP) — Germany deported Afghan nationals to their homeland on Friday for the first time since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power.
Read more »