The world of hobby horsing might sound whimsical at first glance, but as Kht Shetty reveals in this enlightening conversation, it’s a serious athletic pursuit combining creativity, physical prowess, and community building. At just 20 years old, Shetty has already established herself as a competitor, coach, and event organizer in the growing international hobby horsing community.
Photos Courtesy of Kht Ilgaria
Hobby horsing originated in Scandinavian countries, particularly Finland and Sweden, before spreading throughout Europe. Shetty, who hails from Poland, discovered the sport after already being involved in equestrian activities with real horses. What drew her to hobby horsing was how it uniquely combined three of her passions: athletics, handmade craftsmanship, and horse riding. This trifecta creates a distinctive sporting experience that’s both physically demanding and creatively fulfilling.
The sport itself mirrors traditional equestrian events, with competitions featuring show jumping, dressage, and occasionally Western riding disciplines. Show jumping involves clearing obstacles, sometimes reaching heights of 1.3 meters (about 4.3 feet), while maintaining proper form and control of the hobby horse. Dressage showcases precision, rhythm, and style, often performed to music in freestyle events. What many outsiders don’t realize is the incredible athletic demand these competitions place on participants—Shetty herself limits her high-jumping practice to just once or twice weekly due to the physical strain, supplementing with regular gym workouts and running.
Beyond the athletics, hobby horsing has a significant creative component. Most hobby horses are handcrafted, with participants designing and creating not just the horses themselves but also accessories like bridles and other equipment. This creative aspect allows for personal expression and has even provided entrepreneurial opportunities for young hobbyists like Shetty, who previously sold her handmade creations before her full-time job limited her creative production time.
Unfortunately, the hobby horsing community faces significant online hate and misunderstanding. Shetty speaks candidly about dealing with negative comments, even death threats, simply for sharing videos of her hobby horsing activities. Much of this stems from misperceptions that hobbyists believe their horses are real—an absurd notion that Shetty addresses with remarkable maturity and insight. Rather than internalizing the hate, she focuses on the positive impact she has on the community, particularly younger participants who have been inspired by her content to take up the sport.
The community aspect of hobby horsing stands out as particularly meaningful. Shetty recounts a touching experience at a Czech Republic event where numerous young participants sought her autograph, thanking her for inspiring them to join the hobby horsing community. This recognition of her influence has helped her realize the value of her contributions, not as a social media influencer (a title she explicitly rejects) but as someone sharing skills and passion for a unique sport.
As both a competitor and event organizer, Shetty is helping to formalize and grow the sport internationally. She speaks about the development of standardized rules through the International Hobby Horse Federation and her own experience hosting competitions, including international events drawing competitors from multiple countries. Her dedication to the sport’s development is evident, even as she balances these responsibilities with a full-time career outside hobby horsing.
The journey with hobby horsing has provided Shetty with valuable life skills and opportunities for growth. From the entrepreneurship of selling handmade horses as a teenager to the organizational skills developed through hosting international competitions, hobby horsing has been more than just a sport—it’s been a vehicle for personal development and community building that continues to shape her life in meaningful ways.
To learn more give her follow on Instagram @kht_shetty.
