CCEx 2026 — Saturday, September 5

Hobby Horse Competition

Riders build their own hobby horse in the dining hall Saturday morning, then ride it in a real show in the arena that afternoon. There's no charge — but spaces are limited, and everyone must sign up ahead of time.

Ages 3 & Up No Charge Build 10 AM · Show 3 PM Spaces Limited Register Now →
Decorative farm animal
Decorative farm animal
Decorative horseshoe

Make Your Horse, Then Ride It

The Hobby Horse Competition is one day in two halves. In the morning, every rider makes the hobby horse they're going to compete on — nothing to bring, nothing to build at home. In the afternoon the arena is theirs: back numbers, riding clothes, and a real show in front of the crowd.

It runs in the same arena as the light horse classes, and it runs the same way — just scaled down to the smallest riders at the fair. Everyone takes their horse home at the end of the day.

Register Now

Saturday, September 5

Here's how the day runs, start to finish.

  1. Saturday Morning

    Register & pick up your back number

    Riders are given a back number when they register on the Saturday morning — the same as any other class at the show.

  2. 10:00 AM

    Build your hobby horse Dining Hall

    The hobby horses used in the show are made by the riders themselves, at 10 AM in the dining hall. It all happens right there — nothing to bring, nothing to prepare in advance.

  3. 3:00 PM

    The show Arena

    The show is held in the arena at 3:00 PM. Riders are encouraged to wear English or Western riding clothes — and some cowboy hats are available if you need one.

  4. After the Show

    Take your horse home

    Riders may take their horses back to their home stables after the show on Saturday afternoon. The horse you made is yours to keep.

The Details

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Nothing to Bring

Riders make their own hobby horse at the morning session in the dining hall. Don't build one at home — making it is half the fun.

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No Charge

There is no cost to take part. All participants must complete the registration form in advance.

⏳

Spaces Are Limited

There are only so many spots in the morning build session, so register early — and if your plans change, tell us so someone else can take the space.

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Bring a Grown-Up

All children must be accompanied by an adult. The form asks for that adult's full name and phone number.

Who Can Take Part?

This activity is not suitable for children under 3 years of age.

Every child must be accompanied by an adult, and that adult's name and phone number go on the registration form.

What to Wear

Nothing is required — but the riders who dress the part always steal the show.

  • Riders are encouraged to wear English or Western riding clothes.
  • Some cowboy hats are available at the show if your rider doesn't have one.
  • Back numbers are handed out at Saturday morning registration — nothing to arrange ahead of time.

Registration Form

Sign up for the Hobby Horse Competition

⏳ Spaces are limited and they fill up. If the form below says the show is full, call Kirsteen at 902 297 3457 to ask whether a space has come open.

There is no charge, but all participants must complete this form in advance. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Having trouble with the embedded form? Open the registration form in a new tab →

Plans Changed?

If you've registered and can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that someone else may attend. Email 1kirsteenthomson@gmail.com or call 902 297 3457.

Questions?

For anything about the Hobby Horse Competition — the morning build session, the afternoon show, or whether a space has come open — contact Kirsteen at 1kirsteenthomson@gmail.com or 902 297 3457.

You can also email the CCEx office at cumberlandexhibition@gmail.com or contact us — and see where the Hobby Horse fits into the day on the Saturday schedule.