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 behaviour
• 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