An entertaining and inspiring autobiography. 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 labour 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.

Tik Maynard studied the horse, and human nature, and how the two can find balance. And in that journey, he may have found himself.

About the Author
Tik Maynard began riding with the Vancouver Pony Club, in Southlands, British Columbia. After achieving his 'P' 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 and discovered something more important: horsemanship. It is that idea that continues to motivate him.

Reviews

Tik 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.

* Horse and Pony Ireland *

In the Middle are the Horseman is a good and entertaining read. The honest tales of life as a working pupil on an equestrian gap year or three made me wistful; what a wonderful dream to live out, and I'm so glad for him that it has had a happy ending. The writing is crisp, the pace lively and the book is peppered with good anecdotes as well as increasingly honest self reflection.

* Nelipot cottage *



Book Information
ISBN 9781570768323
Author Tik Maynard
Format Paperback
Page Count 392
Imprint Trafalgar Square
Publisher Trafalgar Square