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 howthe two can find balance. And in that journey, he may have found himself.

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Tik Maynard's profile page

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.

"Probably one of my favorite reads, ever. The eventer is honest and vulnerable about his journey in horse sport, and the hard life lessons learned thanks to horses. I was captivated by his story from the first page through to the end." —Heels Down Media

“Maynard's writing style is fantastic. There are so many little quotable 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
“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

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.

“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
“[Maynard] writes beautifully, the book is full of wry humour and beautiful descriptions of his world and the horses he shares it with. Read this book as a delightful memoir and perhaps as a social commentary on the equestrian world, but for those who want to learn more, to improve their relationship with their horses, this is a gold mine.—Haynet.com
“An outstanding equestrian with an unparalleled insight and instinct for understanding equines and communication with them.”—Elite Equestrian
“From the moment I began reading this book I had a hard time putting it down. Beautifully written, poignant, and relatable for anyone in the horse world, it can appeal to non-horse people too. Highly recommended.”—nwhorsesource.com
“Makes you feel like you are learning right alongside him… enlightening.”—Equine Journal
”If you’ve wondered what it’s really like to be a working student, or if you just want to peek behind the curtain at several top international training facilities, then pick up In the Middle Are the Horsemen. [Maynard’s] journey will resonate with anyone who’s done some soul-searching to find their life’s purpose, especially if that purpose turned out to involve horses.” —U.S. Dressage Federation Connection