At first glance you might dismiss or even laugh at the girls who take part in the World of Competitive Hobbyhorse. But if you take a closer look you can’t help but be intrigued and maybe even inspired. All jokes aside, this is a serious sport with more than 10,000 competitors in Finland alone, with judges evaluating every move made by the competitors whether in dressage or jumping on “hobbyhorse-back.” Given that horseback riding is a sport not accessible to all, this allows people to take part in something they might not otherwise be able to do. Over ten years the phenomenon has grown into a way of life and has created a community for young women. 

Selma Vilhunen has directed a documentary about these enthusiasts that premiered earlier this year. You can see the official trailer here: