What if the next chapter of your life demanded more courage than the first? In this deeply honest and uplifting memoir, Tik Maynard confronts midlife not with crisis―but with a colt, a countdown, and a call to grow.
After building a dream life in equestrian sport, family, farm, and a clear purpose―Tik Maynard found himself haunted by uncertainty. Was he still learning? Still evolving? Or simply coasting? Starting in the Middle chronicles his year-long journey to rekindle passion, chase challenge, and redefine mastery―by accepting an invitation to compete in the Road to the Horse, the high-stakes World Championship of Colt Starting.
This gripping follow-up to his bestselling memoir, In the Middle Are the Horsemen, blends heart-pounding personal stakes with intimate storytelling as Maynard studies with elite trainers, faces self-doubt, and prepares for 265 make-or-break minutes with an untouched colt. Along the way, he explores the very core of connection―between man and horse, student and mentor, father and child.
Whether you're an equestrian, a lifelong learner, or simply someone standing at life’s crossroads, this book offers both inspiration and a blueprint for growth.
Inside, you’ll discover:
• A behind-the-scenes view of the Road to the Horse competition
• Lessons from leading voices in natural horsemanship and animal behavior
• Deep reflections on parenting, identity, and personal reinvention
• Powerful metaphors that bridge colt-starting and midlife evolution
• Candid insights from a rider unafraid to rethink everything he knows
Tender, philosophical, and fiercely compelling, Starting in the Middle reminds us that real transformation often begins just after we think the story’s already been written.
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. 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.
