Hobby Horsing is booming around the world. In June, Prague hosted the first-ever European Championship, and on August 1 the next big milestone is on the calendar: the US Hobby Horse Championships 2026, the biggest Hobby Horse event in America, this time in Brighton, Michigan. And of course, LarDen will be there. In this article, we'll introduce the championship and share everything that's in the works on site.
Where and when the championship takes place
The US Hobby Horse Championships 2026 take place on Saturday, August 1 at the Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, Michigan. It is the largest multi-sport facility in the state: the campus covers more than 90 acres, and the competition takes place in an air-conditioned arena, which definitely comes in handy in the summer heat. The program runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. And if you feel like stretching the weekend, come back on Sunday morning for Sunday Funday, a laid-back community ride with no competing involved.
Who is behind the championship
The story behind the championship is beautiful in itself. It was founded by four young riders who met online in 2023 through their shared love of Hobby Horsing. Just one year later, they organized the very first American championship in Almont, Michigan. Today the whole event is run by the National Hobby Horse Association. This year's edition is the third, and the first to be held in Brighton. The association is also a member of the International Hobbyhorse Federation (IHHF), the same federation that organized June's European Championship in Prague. American and European Hobby Horsing are growing together into one big global sport.
The disciplines on the program
The program is packed. Alongside show jumping, dressage and Western Trail, you can look forward to disciplines with genuinely American roots. Hunter/Jumper judges the style and flow of the ride, Barrel Racing is a speed slalom around barrels straight out of the rodeo, and there will also be Puissance, the high jump. Riders compete in three age categories: Youth up to 10, Junior for ages 11 and 12, and Senior from 13 up. New this year is an international qualification class with fences of 100 to 110 cm (roughly 3'3" to 3'7"), open to riders from abroad as well. And the crowning highlight will be Best in Show, a showcase of the most beautiful handmade Hobby Horses and tack.
How big will it get?
The numbers speak for themselves. While the first edition in 2024 welcomed around 130 competitors, this year the organizers are expecting over 400 riders and more than 600 spectators from all over the United States and abroad. Competitor registration, by the way, is already completely full. And media attention shows just how fast Hobby Horsing is growing: the first American championship was covered by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The Times.
LarDen will be there
In Brighton, we won't just be watching from the stands. LarDen is one of the main partners of the event, and you will see our mark right on the course: in Puissance, riders will be jumping over the LarDen Jump, an obstacle from our own workshop. On top of that, we have donated prizes for the winners of the individual classes, from reins and leads to masks and crossbody bags.
And that's not all. We donated a one-of-a-kind horse to the raffle — one you won't find anywhere else — and the raffle proceeds go to support Soul Harbour Ranch, a nonprofit animal-assisted therapy program. You will also find us on site with our own booth: we are bringing hand-painted horses from our Limited Collection, this time with a focus on American breeds, plus a few special editions made just for this occasion.
Final thoughts
It is hard to believe that the small group of girls who met online has grown into an association that now hosts a championship drawing hundreds of riders from every corner of the USA. This is exactly what a sport growing before your eyes looks like. We will be right in the middle of it all day long, cheering, taking photos and filming. And if you can't make it in person, you can follow the day's action on our Instagram.
