Introducing another inspiring face of hobby horsing – thirteen-year-old (and soon to be fourteen-year-old) rider Lucie, known on Instagram and in the community by the nickname Konik (@.kht_konik.). She is definitely not just an enthusiastic sports fan, but primarily a purposeful and active athlete. Outside of show jumping, she works with live horses, is drawn to ice hockey, and her race preparation includes regular running and strength training in addition to riding.
In our new interview, she spoke very openly about her rich competition experiences, including representing the Czech Republic abroad, and a valuable lesson from completing a show jumping course with a sprained ankle. But Konik also brings a very beautiful and unique motive – her goal is not just to collect gold medals at championships, but in the future, she would like to become a coach herself, inspiring and leading younger girls. She also very honestly shares her recipe for how to arm herself against public ridicule and misunderstanding at school, and how to earn deserved respect in this demanding sport. Read a story full of sporting determination and enormous inner strength!
Photo source: _.kht_konik._
When did you start hobby horsing and what led you to it?
I’ve been doing hobby horsing since December 24, 2021. I've always loved horses and animals. I got into hobby horsing by watching YouTube videos where I came across hobby horse videos from Finnish championships and also various people who took care of their hobby horses and competed with them. At that moment, I told myself that I really wanted to try this sport, so for Christmas 2021, I wished for my first hobby horse named Blondie.🤍
What do you enjoy most about hobby horsing? Is it the hobby horse itself, the joy of movement, the community and friends, or all of it together?
What I enjoy most about hobby horsing is definitely the great community of amazing people, as well as the movement itself, the adrenaline, and training before competitions. I also like buying new hobby horses and the incredible support at competitions and training sessions.
Speaking of competitions, the question immediately arises – what is your favorite competitive discipline?
My heart definitely belongs to western riding, which I've been doing for over three years, but I also do show jumping and occasionally try some dressage or cross-country.
How do you prepare for competitions? Do you attend a specific hobby horsing club or after-school activity, or do you mostly train alone?
I prepare for competitions almost all the time outside the active season; I simply try to train at least two to three times a week. When I'm preparing for competitions, I don't always train with a hobby horse, but I also work on my fitness by going for runs and doing smaller strength exercises for my legs. I don't regularly attend any clubs or circles; sometimes I might go to a training camp if there's one nearby, but otherwise, I train alone.🤍
Photo source: _.kht_konik._
What do you consider your greatest achievement in hobby horsing so far?
For me, my biggest achievement was having the opportunity to go and represent the Czech Republic in Poland for a competition.🤍
Is there anyone in this sport who inspires you or is a great role model for you?
My great inspiration is definitely the amazing association coach Dráža.🤍
What else would you like to achieve in this sport? What are your goals and dreams?
I would really love to place at the European Championships one day, or win first place at the Czech Republic Championships.🤍 But beyond competitive success, I would like to one day coach girls younger than me, and perhaps even inspire and motivate someone.
Will you share your craziest hobby horsing experience with us?
Well, I don't really have a craziest one, but rather the most painful one, though now I laugh about it because it was my fault.😂 Once I sprained my ankle while jumping, and I had competitions in two weeks. Even though I could barely run, I rode a 90 cm show jumping course and sprained the same ankle again, just as it was healing👀, so at least there's that.
That's a powerful story; it's clear that the competitions meant a lot to you. Was it worth it? Did the competition go well otherwise?
Yes, those are actually competitions that take place once a year in August, and I was really looking forward to them and preparing for them. But definitely, if I could go back, I wouldn't make that mistake again. It certainly wasn't worth it, and I should have just skipped them for once and taken a rest.
It's always great to learn from one's own mistakes and go through self-reflection. Thanks to you sharing your story, perhaps someone else in the future won't risk their health. But let's also focus on your stable. How many hobby horses do you actually stable there?
I currently have 12 hobby horses, but I only actively use 3.
Photo source: _.kht_konik._
You also have a JUHI hobby horse in your stable. What do you like most about them?
What I like most about them is that they are made with love, crafted from beautiful material, and ideal for every discipline. Even though it's bigger, it has great utility.🤍
Is there anything you'd like to get from JUHI? Any dream favorite, a beloved piece that must not be missing from your stable, or an accessory?
I would absolutely, absolutely love to have a sports pony in the future, and most of all, your Czech national team set for HH.🤍
What message would you send to those who would like to pursue hobby horsing but are afraid of how others might react?
I would tell them to pursue their dreams, and even if it can be challenging sometimes, and you might have periods where things really don't go well and everyone is just hating on you, you have to show that you don't care and that you stand by your sport. Because hobby horsing is truly a damn difficult and beautiful sport that deserves more respect and support.🤍
Those are beautiful and powerful words. Will you share with us how you yourself deal with the reactions of others to your hobby horsing? Can people be understanding?
Most people would recommend just ignoring it. But you can't ignore constant insults in comments, or when you're out in public with a hobby horse and everyone looks at you like you're crazy, or when they shout at you for no reason. I used to experience this, and still sometimes do, but the best thing is to just learn to live with it and not respond immediately with insults, but just say nothing to them and pretend you don't care. However, I would definitely say that there are understanding people who might eventually accept and support you. Even my whole school used to laugh at me, but now everyone pretty much doesn't care and even supports me.🤍
Photo source: _.kht_konik._
Is there anything else you'd like to tell the readers of this article?
I just want to say, no matter what happens around this sport, definitely don't give up and go after your dreams!