Hobby Horse Races – Everything You Need to Know to Organize One

Stick Horse Races – Everything You Need to Know to Organize a Race

Organizing a hobby horse competition has become increasingly popular—and it’s not hard to get started. With a little planning, clear categories, and a great awards ceremony featuring beautiful, lovely rosettes, you can create a competition that both participants and the audience will remember. Here’s our guide to everything you need to consider.

What is a hobby horse competition?

Hobby horse riding is a rapidly growing discipline within equestrian sports, where participants compete with a “horse” on a stick. The discipline is inspired by traditional equestrian sports—with classes, judges, and prize rosettes—and has become a truly popular feature at everything from local club competitions to major events like the Sweden International Horse Show.

What classes are available?

The most common classes at a hobby horse competition include:

Showjumping — a course featuring jumps of varying heights, from beginner to advanced
Dressage — routines judged on precision and style
Barrel racing / pattern classes – fast patterns and turns
Speed trials – for those who want to compete based purely on speed
Equipment classes – viewing and judging the horses’ equipment and details
Fun classes – for example, special awards such as “best-looking tack” or “most enthusiastic team”

Plan the awards ceremony

A rosette for every placing makes the competition clear and encouraging. The most common breakdown:

Award rosettes for each class — 1st through 5th place, in traditional colors
Special awards — for example, for the youngest participant, best equipment, or best sense of humor
Themed rosettes – if the competition has a theme, colorful rosettes can make the whole event extra festive

How much do the rosettes cost?

Award rosettes don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In our selection, you’ll find horse rosettes starting at24 SEK/each ( 1 wreath) and26 SEK/each ( 2 wreaths), with placement colors suitable for all classes. The more rosettes you order, the lower the price per piece—see our price list for volume discounts.

How to Order the Right Rosettes for the Hobby Horse Competition

Choose placement colors (1st: blue/yellow, 2nd: blue, 3rd: yellow, 4th: red, 5th: green) for a classic look
Or choose colorful themed rosettes for a more fun twist
Get in touch if you’re a club that organizes multiple competitions per season—we’d be happy to provide a consolidated quote

See our entire selection of hobby horse rosettes

Tips for a successful competition day

Start on time—set up a schedule and stick to the times
Have clear categories so everyone knows what to expect
Make sure the awards ceremony is quick and clear, with the right rosette for the right place
Don’t forget the volunteers—a rosette just for them is always appreciated

Want to skip the hassle?

At Prisrosetter.se, we deliver ready-made rosettes with fast shipping (1–3 business days)—from single pieces to your entire club’s seasonal needs. View our selection here