We are LarDen, a small family business that makes premium Hobby Horses and accessories. Our company philosophy is not only to create high-quality products, but also to support the growth of Hobby Horsing itself. We began actively supporting it five years ago, and throughout that time we have regularly backed both small and large events connected with this hobby. We support clubs as well as individuals, and we strive to help the wider public see this trend in a more positive light. So the idea of organizing our own LarDen competitions for all enthusiasts came quite naturally.
LarDen Show Vol. 1
Our first competition took place in 2023. We were still fairly new to the competition scene, so organizing our own event was a big step into the unknown for us. We did not know how many children would come, or whether there would be any interest at all. For our competition, we chose the sports hall in Tachov. It is close to us and seemed strategically convenient. To our amazement and delight, just under a hundred competitors came to join us. Throughout the sports day, competitors took part in four disciplines – show jumping, puissance (high jump), dressage and racing. Hobby Horsing in Tachov attracted so much interest that the local television station came as well. The whole sports day ran smoothly in a spirit of sport and fun, people shopped in the shopping zone, and beautiful LarDen prizes were awarded. Everyone went home happy, and our reward was wonderful reviews and feedback. That very day, we knew we had to organize another competition.
LarDen Show Vol. 2
Then came 2024, and with it the second LarDen competition. For this day, we chose the sports hall in Hořovice. It was a long way for us, but closer to the competitors who were travelling from farther away. We were able to make good use of the experience we had gained the previous year, and we began preparing the competition well in advance. Even so, we did not know in advance how many children would register. Until the very last moment, it was a surprise for us. In the end, a full hundred competitors arrived, and we could launch the LarDen Show. For the second edition, we added new show-jumping courses to the programme and removed the final race. This time, we included a dressage demonstration and a generous raffle in the programme, where competitors could win a Hobby Horse. Three vendors had stands in the shopping zone, and everything flowed calmly right through to the end. After the whole day, we did not even feel like going home – and of course, we promised the children another competition.
LarDen Show Vol. 3
And what about this year? Three is a magical number for us. What is more, LarDen is celebrating its fifth anniversary, so we had to come up with something special. We cannot tell you everything, but we can give you a hint. We are preparing a beautiful dressage show for multiple riders, inspired by Disney horses. We have added a new western discipline, Pole Bending. We are preparing a generous raffle and special Hobby Horses. We will also choose the winner of the giveaway for a limited-edition Hobby Horse that is currently running on Instagram.
And there will be special rosettes too.
We almost forgot – this year’s LarDen Show will take place on 3 May 2025 in the TJ Lokomotiva sports hall in Plzeň.
Thank you to the team of the Czech Hobby Horsing Association, without whom none of this would be possible.
