Students gallop to victory in Cal Poly’s first-ever hobby horse event

Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) hosted its first-ever hobby horse competition, where students competed in different categories using prop horses. 

Hobby horsing mimics traditional equestrian activities such as obstacle courses with hurdles and performances, but instead of riding on real horses, participants ride toy horses on sticks. 

Physics junior Mason Stobbe had never heard of hobby horsing before but signed up for the competition with a group of his friends after seeing an advertisement at the gym.

“I didn’t know it was a real thing,” Stobbe said. “It kind of seemed like stupid, but here I am.”

The competition was split into four different categories: team relay, individual relay, team performance and individual performance. 

In the relays, students competed by navigating through an obstacle course while galloping on their prop horses and jumping over hurdles. For the performances, students chose songs and choreographed a 90-second act. 

Mechanical engineering senior Jessica Schmok competed in the individual performance with her horse. 

“I got my trusty stead here,” Schmok said. “My name is White Stallion, and I hope I win today.”

Just as she had hoped, Schmok, or the White Stallion, took home a first-place trophy, Cal Poly blanket and tickets to the sold-out upcoming rodeo show. Winners of each category took home the same prize. 

ASI Special Events Student Assistant, Madison Hirsch, helped plan the hobby horsing event, which she described as a fun and unique event that is different from what ASI usually hosts. 

“It went very well,” Hirsch said. “Honestly, I was nervous that we were going to have a very small turnout or things just wouldn’t go as smoothly as they did, but everything went so well. I had such a fun time. I forgot that I was even working the event. 

For more events hosted by ASI, visit them on Instagram