BRIGHTON, Mich. — The US Hobby Horse Championships (USHHC) returns for its third annual event on Friday, August 1, 2026, at the Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, Michigan, welcoming 400 registered competitors for a high-energy, one-day celebration of athleticism, creativity, and community.
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Spectator tickets are available now at ushhchampionships.com for $10 in advance or $20 at the door.
The US Hobby Horse Championships is the premier national event for the rapidly growing sport of hobby horsing. USHHC 2026 will feature a full day of competitions, as well as a bustling vendor marketplace and interactive experiences for attendees.
In addition to the competitive events, this year’s USHHC will include:
- More than 30 vendors
- A Test Track where spectators can try hobby horsing for themselves
- Practice rings for athletes
- Craft activities and additional family-friendly programming
From Four Friends to a National Championship
The US Hobby Horse Championships began with four young athletes—Mica, Mackenzie, Mirabelle, and Liliana—who met online in 2023 through their shared passion for hobby horsing. What started as friendship quickly grew into a shared mission: to build the sport in the United States and create opportunities for athletes to compete and connect.
That vision became reality in August 2024, when they organized the first US Hobby Horse Championships in Almont, Michigan. The inaugural event featured 130 registered competitors, 350 spectators, and attracted widespread attention with coverage in major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Times of London, and Inside Edition, among others.
A Fast-Growing Sport Empowering Young Athletes
Today, hobby horsing is a fast-growing youth sports community in the United States, with the majority of athletes being young women ages 10 to 16. The sport offers a unique and empowering space for young athletes at a time when support for girls’ and women’s sports is increasingly important—and when hobby horse athletes often face unfair criticism or misunderstanding.
Hobby horsing is both physically rigorous and creatively driven. Many athletes design, make, sell, and trade their own hobby horses and tack, building skills not only as competitors, but also as makers, entrepreneurs, content creators, and community leaders.
The US Hobby Horse Championships has become a central gathering point for this vibrant national community, providing a positive environment where athletes can build confidence, develop athletic skills, celebrate creativity, and form lasting friendships.
Sponsors and Community Support
For sponsors and community partners, the US Hobby Horse Championships offers a unique opportunity to connect with a highly engaged audience of young athletes and makers—predominantly female—and their families, while supporting youth sports, confidence-building, and a growing national movement.
USHHC is proud to partner with organizations that share its commitment to empowering the next generation through hobby horsing.
For event updates, follow @ushobbyhorsechampionships on social media and visit ushhchampionships.com.
Event Details
US Hobby Horse Championships (USHHC)
Date: August 1, 2026
Location: Legacy Center Sports Complex, Brighton, Michigan
Spectator Tickets: $10 in advance / $20 at the door
Tickets & Info: ushhchampionships.com
Social: @ushobbyhorsechampionships
Registration: Closed (400 competitors registered)
About the US Hobby Horse Championships
The US Hobby Horse Championships (USHHC) is the premier national competition for the sport of hobby horsing in the United States. Founded by four young athletes in 2023, USHHC was created to provide a high-quality competitive platform and supportive community for hobby horse athletes. USHHC celebrates athleticism, creativity, confidence-building, and youth leadership by bringing together competitors and spectators from across the nation and around the world.
— Edited Press Release
