In the Middle Are the Horsemen

By: Tik Maynard

Narrated by: Tik Maynard

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.

©2018 Tik Maynard (P)2022 Tik Maynard

Great book for both Competing or non-competing horsepeople.

Loved the author's style and hope that he writes more books. maybe a fiction book about a competitor?

Loved it!

As a horse person - I loved this book from start to finish.
It gave me a true behind the scenes look at the life of a horse professional. From the dream to the reality with all the ups and downs…super! Highly recommend for horse folks!

Such an inspiring story!

I love how vulnerable Tik is in his book! Yes! We can learn not only from our own mistakes, but from others' as well.
Highly recommend it to everyone with horses in their life.

Great story!

I’ve been wanting to read Tik’s book for a while and when I saw it on audible I knew this was my chance to actually do it! I loved it! He was honest and respectful, I loved how he went to train with so many different people of varying disciplines. I think we all can learn so much by keeping our mind open to other things that perhaps our chosen discipline does not normally do. Great job on the book and I loved that Tik read it himself!

For the love of horses and self improvement

Wow, what an amazing book. His love of horses and self improvement shined. thank you for sharing and letting us follow your journey.
This story was captivating and educational. The last book I read that was this good was “no horse is a bad color.” I know what all my friends will get for Christmas and I was bummed there was an upcoming clinic I could sign up for.