Gripping their steeds by the reins, the riders leap with grace and agility over the hurdles. Faces taut with tension, they move swiftly to the next obstacle.

Showjumping and dressage are the pinnacle of equestrian sports, but the competitors here differ from Olympians such as the Princess Royal in one important detail: their mounts are stuffed toys on sticks rather than Arabian thoroughbreds.

Hobbyhorse riding is a craze that is sweeping Scandinavia, attracting more than 10,000 athletes and followers in Finland alone.

Next month, the cream of the sport will appear at the annual Hobbyhorse Championships outside Helsinki. Regional competitions keep them on their toes before the marquee event. Last weekend the Alfons Cup was held in Turku on Finland’s southwest coast. The sport is