In the Middle Are the Horsemen

by Tik Maynard

Overview

In 2008, 26–year–old Tik Maynard faced a crossroads not unlike that of other young adults. A university graduate and modern pentathlete, he suffered both a career–ending injury and a painful breakup, leaving him suddenly adrift. The son of prominent Canadian equestrians, Maynard decided to spend the next year as a “working student.” In the horse industry, working students aspire to become professional riders or trainers, and willingly trade labor for hands–on education. Here Maynard chronicles his experiences–good and bad–and we follow along as one year becomes three, what began as a casual adventure gradually transforms, and a life's purpose comes sharply into focus.

Over time, Maynard evolved under the critical eyes of Olympians, medal winners, and world–renowned figures in the horse world, including Anne Kursinski, Johann Hinnemann, Ingrid Klimke, David and Karen O'Connor, Bruce Logan, and Ian Millar. He was ignored, degraded, encouraged, and praised. He was hired and fired, told he had the “wrong body type to ride” and that he had found his “destiny.” He got married and lost loved ones. Through it all he studied the horse, and human nature, and how the two can find balance. And in that journey, he may have found himself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570768859
Publisher:	Trafalgar Square
Publication date:	09/01/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	875,607
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Tik Maynard began riding with the Vancouver Pony Club, in Southlands, British Columbia. After achieving his ‘A’ rating, he began competing in Modern Pentathlon, where he represented Canada at three World Championships, and the 2007 Pan–American Games. In 2008, Maynard began a journey to improve his riding. From Germany to Florida, from Alberta to Texas, and from Florida to New Jersey, Maynard was willing to go wherever he had to, to learn from the best. Along the way he discovered something more important: horsemanship. It is that idea that continues to motivate him. Today, Maynard searches out knowledge from many sources, but his most important mentors are his parents and his wife. He is married to US Eventing Team Member Sinead Halpin. Together they run Copperline Farm in Citra, Florida. Maynard has always been a passionate book lover. He has written a children's story, published by REAL magazine, has won the Malahat Review Open Season Award, and has twice been shortlisted for the CBC Literary Awards for his non–fiction works.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Working Student

A Slap Across the Face 3

"Not Many Decent Stables Are Interested in Taking Working Students" 7

Lord of the Manor 15

"Your Leg is Too Short!" 23

"We Can't Leave You Alone on a Horse for Five Minutes" 33

A Silver Lining 39

Every Answer Leads to More Questions 45

Herr Stecken 53

On Eventing (I) 57

Ocala, Florida 63

Working Student Position: Priceless 71

Uncomplicated 75

Horses Are Optional 79

"Hubris? Me?" 89

I Love You, Karen O'Connor! 93

Cutting in with Captain Canada 101

One Day with Ian Millar 107

And Now for Something Completely Different 115

Loving, Texas 123

"This Is a Lot Different Than Roping Cattle" 133

On Cutting 141

A Different Kind of Education 147

It's Easy to Teach Someone to Ride 153

On Eventing (II) 159

"She's Tough" 163

Wellington, Florida 167

Anne Kursinski's Secrets 175

Asa Bird 183

A Horseman's Pledge 187

On the Importance of Correct Paperwork 193

The Almost End 201

"Nope, No Cattle" 207

Interstate 90 213

Frenchtown, New Jersey 223

"You Just Need to Listen" 229

"You Just Need To Ride Better" 237

Sapphire Is Hurt and I Call a Psychic 243

Quitter 253

Back Against the Ropes 259

Still Hungry 267

Part 2 Professional

Troncones 287

On Enthusiasm 291

"Can He Ride?" 301

On Remarkable 307

Horses, Too, Are More Forgiving Than We Deserve 319

Letter to Myself 323

Winning Is the Easy Part 327

"If There Was a Bunch of Indians Headed My Way…" 335

On Pain 339

It is Unbelievable that Magic Like That Can Vanish 349

On Horsemanship 353

No Sulking 361

Acknowledgments 373

Editorial Reviews

Maynard's writing style is fantastic. There are so many little quoteable gems in the book that I think half of it would be yellow if you tried to highlight them all. The words flow easily, nothing feels forced or overworked, and most of all it seems very honest… it's been a long time since a horse book has effected me this much, on a visceral level. It makes me want to do better, to be better, and to learn more. Any book that can leave you feeling that way, inspired, is worth buying.”—The900FacebookPony.com


“Readers interested in horsemanship will certainly find that here, but Maynard's journey of self-discovery will appeal to a wider audience as well.”—Booklist

"Both a fascinating record of a young man’s quest to find his place, and a vivid portrait of an industry and a culture built upon on one of our most ancient and transformative relationships, that between the human and the horse. Acutely observed, vividly told, and not to be missed."—Kathy Page, Author of Alphabet and Paradise & Elsewhere

"It’s a shame you have to use the word ‘natural’ in front of ‘horsemanship.’ It should all be natural, the way you interact with a horse, the way you converse, teach and perform together in this incredible partnership. In my day, they called it, ‘It’ and it was a kind of secret society because people were ridiculed for taking the time to understand the way horses think and learn, rather than just showing the horse who’s boss. Today, it is becoming more the way, to train horses using love,

language, and leadership; using psychology rather than mechanics no

matter what your discipline, from recreational to performance.

"This is not horsemanship versus eventing; it is about laying a proper foundation before specialization. To see Tik Maynard bridging these two worlds in his quest to become a real horseman will inspire generations to come and contribute to making a better world for horses and the people who love them."—Pat Parelli,

Bestselling Author, Founder of Parelli Natural Horsemanship®

"Tik Maynard is not only a fantastic writer but a special horseman. His ability to work naturally through a horse’s problems and to communicate what he does in a way people can understand is a gift. He has a never-ending want for knowledge about horses, and I hope he continues to share his experiences."—Lauren Bliss Kieffer, US Olympian

"Tik Maynard’s writing is engaging and insightful. With each turn of the page I felt like I was right there, rooting with him through the triumphs and challenges of his horsemanship adventure. Loved the gems that came from his experiences and the honesty he shares. Anyone who loves horses and is passionate about becoming better with them will love this book!"—Jonathan Field, Horseman, Author of The Art of Liberty Training for Horses

"About five years ago, I met Tik Maynard for the first time when he attended a clinic I was giving in Maryland. I immediately observed: Tik is a special person, who has an equally good understanding for both people and horses. Tik can put himself in his partner’s place and listens closely to the horse that has offered Tik his trust.

"Tik possesses the knowledge of both classical riding and natural horsemanship that is necessary to bring them together. Bringing together these two complementary approaches has helped him become a true horseman. He has traveled a rough road. But, he never gave up. Over time, he was able to convert every discouragement, every rejection, into something positive. He’s tried to learn as much as he can from each of his trainers. That still applies to Tik today and

is the basis for this exciting book.

"What can the reader gain from this book? You should never give up and always keep your specific goal in sight—and you must do that in the face of all the adversities that a rider must overcome in the course of his education. In this regard, Tik is a role model for all of his readers."—Christoph Hess,

FEI Dressage and Eventing Judge and Ambassador for Training and

Education of the German National Equestrian Federation (FN)

"As with horses and life, actions speak much louder and mean more than words. I think this statement is true for horses and people: Horses don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Tik Maynard should be proud to count himself as one of those people. I am happy and humbled to have

played a small part in his horsemanship and life's journey."—Bruce Logan, Clinician and Horse Specialist

"Tik Maynard writes like a seasoned novelist but there is no mistaking the authenticity of his story. Whether you’re crazy about horses or not,

you’ll enjoy this ride."—Rick Lamb, Co-Author of A Revolution in Horsemanship and Author of Human to Horseman

"Tik Maynard arrived at my barn like an energetic young dressage prospect—with plenty of cadence in his step and a joy that filled the arena. I knew this was going to be fun! With his unparalleled desire to learn everything he possibly could I was hooked. Here was a student who was going to push me, and together we could both become better—student and teacher—understanding our horses more deeply and sharing thoughts and experiences in our blessed lives with our horses. This is who Tik is: engaging, inquisitive, intelligent, and compassionate about his horses and the work he does with them. It takes a great student to become a great teacher, and Tik is both. It was a great joy and pleasure to share time with him."—Betsy Steiner, Dressage Trainer and Coach and Author of A Gymnastic Riding System Using Mind, Body & Spirit

"People have a hard time being aware. Awareness of their environment, of other people, of what effects their actions have on others, animal or human. Self-awareness is even more rare. This is a book about self-awareness. How does one learn? How does one process the world? Observation is a necessity to be successful in an animal world. How one processes one’s own observations is a key to being successful as a human being. Tik Maynard has opened up and shown his ability

to be self-aware and observational. This is an insightful book about the journey to acquire knowledge and then use that knowledge to help others,

human and horse. It’s a joy to read."—David O’Connor,

Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) Eventing Chair, Former Chef d’Equipe US Eventing Team, Former President United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Olympic Gold Medalist

"In 1989 when I was 54 years old I started a Thoroughbred filly for the Queen of England. Upon Her Majesty’s insistence that I write a book, I set out to write my autobiography, The Man Who Listens to Horses. Tik Maynard's book, like mine, is the tale of a young man committed to understanding horses and life. It is a fantastically written adventure story for horse fanatics and adventure lovers alike.

"My generation began a revolution in horsemanship, and it is Tik’s that will continue it. For that I am grateful. A must read."—Monty Roberts, Horseman and New York Times Best Selling Author

"Tik is a great horseman and writer. His journey makes for a super read! " —Eiren Crawford, Grand Prix Dressage Rider and Trainer, All Points Dressage


“A horseman's greatest asset is the ability to accept what is being presented, learn from it, and then turn it into something special. Having worked with Tik Maynard, I can say first-hand that he is indeed one of those special horsemen. This book does a wonderful job illustrating the effort has gone through to help get him there. A great read!” —Mark Rashid, Renowned Horseman and Author


“ With rave reviews from such iconic horseman as Monty Roberts, Pat Parelli, Jonathan Field, and David O’Connor, this book is a must-read for every horse lover out there. An inspiring story about horses, life, and everything in between, Tik Maynard dives into what makes him a true horseman.”—Horse Journals


“An emotional roller coaster of a journey… we follow along while Tik [Maynard] blossoms from a shy, struggling working student in Germany to a young professional who is able to admit his own shortcomings and grow from them. His story is one of love and laughter, with plenty of life lessons learned along the way. It is apparent that Tik is not only a skilled horseman, but a talented writer and story-teller as well.”—JumperNation.com


“As I read this book, I kept bending back the pages in the corners if it contained a quote or passage like the ones above that made me think or just resonated with me. I lost track of how many pages I bent…you need to read this book.”—Saddle Seeks Horse


“Funny, honest and eloquent…certainly the story of trying to define the elusive term horsemanship, it's even more the story of what it means to be a human struggling to find his way..”—Untacked Magazine


“What an enjoyable ride… an entertaining, well-told story.”—Vancouver Sun


“This is a classy book… the well told, rueful and funny account of one young man's learning…. The writing is crisp, the pace lively and the book is peppered with good anecdotes as well as increasingly honest self-reflection.”—NelipotCottage.com

From the Publisher