Here's another great interview for you! This time, our questions were answered by the young and very talented rider Domi (13), also known as @kht._.bee. She has been involved in hobby horsing for 5 years and has accumulated a significant number of successes and awards during that time.
But Domi doesn't just think about her own trophies and rosettes – her big goal is to bring hobby horsing to the general public and make it a normal sport like any other 💕. She strives for this through her Instagram profile @kht._.bee, where she regularly shares moments from training, competitions, and useful recommendations. Her immense enthusiasm has already attracted over 1,000 followers! Domi is also an all-around talented athlete – besides hobby horsing, she competes in canicross and, in her free time, rides her own mare Anna.
What led you to hobby horsing?
I first saw hobby horsing in a video from the Finnish championship, which captivated me so much that I thought I could try it too, and I started to enjoy it so much that I'm still doing it now. 🩷
What do you enjoy most about hobby horsing? Is it the beautiful hobby horses, the passion for movement, friends and the community, experiences and competition successes, or something entirely different?
What I definitely enjoy most about hobby horsing is the community, which is simply incredible. Then I certainly enjoy the training and competitions, where I work as hard as I can, and you can see the results. 🥹
How often do you train? Do you have any training tips you'd like to share with others?
I try to train at least twice a week. During training, I not only jump but also try to perfect my dressage, physical fitness, and some coordination exercises. My athletics training, which I attend three times a week, definitely helps me with my physical fitness. And my tip for others is not to forget about regeneration. 🥰
Do you regularly compete? What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
I regularly participate in competitions and often place in the top positions. My biggest achievement to date was being a 3x IOC Czech Republic champion in 2025. 🏆 This year, I am a 3x IOC Silver champion, but I also have many other placements from this championship. However, all these achievements are due to a lot of training, and it doesn't always go so well. 💕
In some of your videos and photos, a huge number of rosettes sometimes flash in the background. How many rosettes, trophies, and other awards have you collected in your competitive career so far?
Phew, that's a tough question. 😂 I must have over 200 rosettes already, but it might even be more... I have 47 trophies, which is an incredible number that even I don't understand. 🥹 With medals, it's a bit more challenging, but I think I have 73 just from hobby horsing! 🏆🫢
What else would you like to achieve in hobby horsing?
I have certainly achieved things that I couldn't even imagine 4 years ago. But my biggest dream is to visit the championship in Finland and compete in the European Championship, which I couldn't attend this year. 🐝
What are your favorite hobby horsing disciplines?
I have several, but the main ones are cross-country, show jumping for style and time; I enjoy those the most. I also sometimes like to do dressage, but I'm more of a show jumper than a dressage rider. 🥰
What has been your biggest and craziest experience in hobby horsing so far? Will you share it with us?
My most crazy experience was definitely the hobby horse camp with the girls, where we jumped over a pony. 🫢 And definitely the Czech Championship, where there's always the best atmosphere and support from everyone. 🤪
Have you ever had a big fail in hobby horsing that you'd like to share with the readers? After all, nobody's perfect. 🤪
My biggest fail? I can definitely think of when I went to train shortly after it rained, and I was jumping higher jumps. But unfortunately, because the grass was wet, I slipped and knocked the wind out of myself. 😂 But after a while, I was fine and could continue training! 💕
You have several hobby horses from JUHI, including the new Wild Spirit, and other accessories. How satisfied are you with them, and what would you recommend to others and why?
At home, I have 2 hobby horses and many accessories. The first hobby horse is Chelsie, who is also good for jumping, but I would recommend her more for dressage or older children. 🤎 Spirit is a bit smaller and lighter, so he's ideal for higher jumps and also for younger children. I also really like the equipment from Juhi, and I am extremely satisfied with it! Now I have a new national team set from Juhi, which is absolutely amazing, and I would highly recommend it to everyone. 🇨🇿
What do you think a proper hobby horse must have, for example, in terms of appearance, but also accessories?
I don't have anything specific, but I like hobby horses with shorter manes. And for equipment, probably just longer reins for show jumping. 🤪
Just like Nikol alias benila.4u, you are not only involved in hobby horsing but also a horseback rider. So you are another proof that hobby horsing is not just a substitute for those who cannot afford a live horse. What is it like for you to combine hobby horsing and traditional riding?
For me, hobby horsing certainly isn't and never has been a substitute for horseback riding. Horseback riding and hobby horsing are very similar sports, but there are definitely differences. 🧡 I've been riding since I was 4, and at 9, I started hobby horsing. Combining them is sometimes challenging, but it's also beautiful.
What would you say to support those who are targets of bullying and ridicule because of hobby horsing and who are afraid to openly say that they are involved in hobby horsing?
I would definitely recommend them not to be afraid to speak up. It's a sport like any other, and if you stand by your opinion, bullying and ridicule will eventually disappear. 💕
Who else do you think we should interview? Who would you like to see?
I would like to see kht.balkan in an interview. 🤪
Is there anything else you would like to convey to the readers of this article?
I definitely want to tell everyone to follow their dreams and not care about being mocked for hobby horsing! 🐝❤️🩹