Trainer’s session shows why he is so esteemed

It can be daunting going for a lesson with a visiting trainer you haven’t met but after reading about Tik Maynard it was clear it was an opportunity not to be missed.

Eventer and natural horsemanship advocate Tik spent six years on the Canadian National Team competing in the modern pentathlon, which includes riding, pistol shooting, fencing, swimming and running.

He competed at the 2007 Pan American Games, three World Championships and 11 World Cups before focusing on eventing. He was long-listed for the Canadian Eventing Team for the 2012 London Olympics.

He was a working student for eventers David and Karen O’Connor and from a dressage perspective, his time with Ingrid Klimke and German dressage trainer Johann Hinnemann gives him an impressive CV.

He also worked as an assistant trainer for show jumper Anne Kursinski and with his vast knowledge conducts eventing and natural horsemanship clinics throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Tik took the time to get to know me and my slightly nervous horse and we spent quite some time just allowing the horse to relax in its surroundings. This involved quietly walking, trotting and cantering on a long rein and letting my horse stop where he wanted to with no pressure.

We started the session once we were both relaxed and worked on balance, rhythm and really focusing on how my seat and position impacted on my horse. We then began jumping and ensuring the same concepts were followed before and after the jump.

Tik instinctively understood what we needed to work on and explained his main three training goals – for the rider to be safe, for the horse to be safe, and to finish the session relaxed.

His clear empathy with horses and humans helped me leave the session with positive yet constructive feedback to work on. My horse made it clear that he felt at ease too as he followed him around while we talked and by the end of the session (even though there was some pressure put on him during the related distance exercise) I felt he was tired but relaxed.

I can see why Tik’s following in the UK has grown since his first clinic and demo here in 2014.

Tik Maynard.