By Shawn Hamilton

Two-Time Tik!

You don’t have to be a breeder or wrangler to benefit from watching Road to the Horse (RTTH). If you’re eager to better understand and connect with horses, this annual colt-starting competition offers inspiration and education alike.

First held in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas, RTTH now takes place at the Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The event draws top horsemen who are challenged to halter, saddle, and ride previously unhandled three-year-old colts — all in under four hours over three days.

This isn’t a test of speed or endurance. It’s about timing, patience, and sensitivity. Success hinges on reading the colt’s cues and knowing when to proceed or back down. Competitors must show how calm and willing the horse has become by earning the horse’s trust and communicating clearly — all under the watchful eyes of both judges and a live audience.

This year, Canadian Tik Maynard claimed the RTTH Championship title for the second consecutive year. His calm approach, methodical style, and ability to “listen” to his colt made for an exceptional performance and a standout learning opportunity for spectators.

Maynard and Suncat through the obstacle course in the final round.

A Tight Contest

The 2025 Championship on March 27-30 was highly competitive, with just 200 points separating the four finalists who all displayed exemplary horsemanship. Alongside Maynard were Vicki Wilson from New Zealand, American trainer Phil Haugen, and Wild Card winner American Buster McLaury — who earned his spot by triumphing in the Wild Card Challenge.

When asked how he chooses a colt from the remuda provided by The Pitchfork Ranch in Texas, Tik said, “For me, it is ten percent bloodlines, ten percent conformation, and ten percent attitude.”

“And the other seventy percent?”

“Pure luck!” he added with a grin as he headed to a playground birthday party for his daughter Violet — affectionately known as “Goldfish.”

Horses run in Tik’s blood. His father, Rick, was an international show jumper and his mother, Jennifer, a renowned dressage rider. He himself competed in eventing and show jumping before setting out to broaden his horsemanship skills. His book In the Middle Are the Horsemen chronicles his time learning from trainers like German eventer and dressage rider Ingrid Klimke, US show jumper Anne Kursinsky, and Olympic three-day eventers David and Karen O’Connor. His growing interest in natural horsemanship led him to Canadian trainer Jonathan Field.

Rick and Jennifer Maynard, proud parents of Tik. 

Tik purchased Tomcat, his winning colt at last year’s competition, and continues to train with him across disciplines like reining, trail, and liberty. “We will learn together,” he said. “Eventing is my career but this and writing are my hobbies.”

Tik Maynard with his wife Sinead Halpin and daughter Violet.

Teaching Through Cooking?

During his educational clinic at RTTH, Tik returned to the arena with Tomcat and offered a unique perspective on horse training, drawing parallels to cooking. He shared with the audience his four ingredients for horse training inspired by the book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking.

Tik Maynard stresses the importance of play with Suncat in the round pen.

“The first ingredient is observation,” he said. “We often start training before observing how the horse relates to other horses and to us. We need to learn when to back off before our horse tells us. If we’re angry or frustrated, it will affect our body language, and the horse will pick up it.”

Next is communication. “The more communication, the better you can read a situation. I look for eye contact. When the horse engages with me, I back off to give him space. Horses will go where they are looking.”

Then comes motivation. “Everything a horse does, he does for a reason. There is always a puzzle to solve.”

Finally, play. “You can learn all the skills, but something will be missing — that something is play.”

Before exiting, Tomcat gave a cheeky buck in the exact spot where he had unseated Tik the previous year, earning a laugh from the audience.

The Rounds

Tik chose a buckskin gelding named Goodluck Suncat, basing his choice solely on bloodlines. Round one focused on catching and haltering the colt. Tik built a strong initial connection with Suncat but ended the round in third place behind Wilson and McLaury. Haugen struggled early and stayed in fourth throughout.

Tik Maynard connects with Goodluck Suncat in the round pen.

In round two, Suncat softened noticeably. Tik earned top marks from four out of five judges, gaining an 11-point lead over McLaury heading into the final round.

On the final day of competition, while signing copies of his latest book Starting in the Middle, Tik reflected on his approach: “I will not go in the ring expecting to have the horse that I had yesterday or the day before, but the horse that I will have today.”

Maynard introduces his colt to a ball.

In his clinic, he had emphasized, “I will not just watch his feet and body, I will watch his eye... If in doubt, back off. I don’t want to touch him until he is ready to be touched.”

Finale and Victory

The final round is judged on core movements including mounting, dismounting, riding at all three gaits, backing up, and navigating an obstacle course, followed by a freestyle for extra points if time allows.

Suncat was cautious but willing. Tik, constantly narrating his choices to the crowd, skipped the tarp and noodle elements in the obstacle course to avoid stressing the colt, losing points but keeping his colt calm. With just minutes to spare, Suncat stood calmly while Tik stood on his back, waving to the cheering audience.

Tik secured the win by 62 points and returned to Copperline Equestrian in Citra, Florida with Tomcat, Sinead, Brooks, Goldfish, and a total of $85,000 in prize money. He also took home a Circle Y saddle, Gist Silversmiths buckle, and the prestigious Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award.

But for Tik, the reward is not material. It’s about growth and sharing knowledge. He continues to offer clinics and shares training tips through video content in collaboration with Noelle Floyd.

RTTH 2025 was not only a competition — it was an extraordinary lesson in horsemanship. Watching and learning from it was an honour.

Entertainment

In addition to world-class competition, the audience was treated to incredible performances by guest clinicians including Ken McNabb and Nick Dowers, Broken Spoke Clydesdales, and a variety of exceptional entertainers, some of whom are shown below.

The Wranglers Drill Team from Texas are National Drill Team Champions.

Fourteen-year-old professional trick rider Liberty Cunningham thrilled the audience with her trick riding and roman riding performances. 

Fan favourite Dan James entertains at RTTH.

For more information on Road to the Horse visit: Road To The Horse.

Related: Canada’s Dustin Sippola - Wild Card Challenge Competitor

Related: FAQ for Road to the Horse Rookies

More by Shawn Hamilton

Photos by Clix Photography

Main Photo: Tik Maynard rode Tomcat, his winning colt from last year’s RTTH, in his educational clinic at the 2025 RTTH.