Mahala Garcia, an 11-year-old from the San Antonio area, has a unique passion – hobby horsing. This sport, which originated in Finland, involves competitors using hobby horses, or stick horses, to participate in events such as show jumping.
Hobby Horsing: A Growing Sport
Garcia discovered hobby horsing three years ago after seeing a video online and was immediately fascinated by the sport. She has been practicing regularly and will compete in the third annual U.S. Hobby Horse Championships in Brighton, Michigan, this weekend.
Garcia’s love for horses began when she was five years old and rode her first living, breathing horse at her uncle’s farm in Smithville, Texas. She takes weekly riding lessons at a stable in Converse and attends horse riding camps. For the hobby horsing nationals, Garcia will compete in barrel racing and hunters, events that require her to gallop around barrels and jump over obstacles.
Despite facing criticism and mockery from some people who do not understand the sport, Garcia remains enthusiastic about hobby horsing. She hopes that more people will give it a chance and learn to appreciate its unique aspects.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
