The Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials in mid July was my first competition with Remarkable 54. I felt under-prepared, and I was prepared to withdraw if necessary. I approached the weekend like a training session, but we were still nervous.

I gave Remarkable 54 the chance to look at many fences before jumping them. In both jumping phases he broke to the trot a few times, which I didn’t mind at all. I would rather have him slow down, look, and then go, than run anxiously. Thoughtfulness and relaxation travel well together, so we hit that road and went slow.

Millbrook in late July was our second competition. We cut our dressage score in half, from 47 to 23.3. I’ve never done that before. We had three rails down in show jumping, which was an improvement from the four we had down at NJHP. Remarkable still didn’t really understand the game, but the light bulb was glowing at least.  

Bucks County Horse Park Horse Trials two weeks ago was our third beginner novice and our first clear round in show jumping. It is starting to feel like we both want the same thing at the same time more often. It’s not ideal to ride a horse that wants to go fast when you want to go slow. Or vice versa. That’s not harmony.  And it’s not much fun.

This is what I tell him, my big sweet gelding: “There is a solution to every problem. Believe in me. I will never ask you to do something you can’t handle. Do not panic! Do not run! Think. Trust me. Try.”

A working cowboy, now on the clinic circuit with his wife, once told me:

“A horse should try and go up a telephone pole or into a rabbit’s burrow for you, if you ask. You should never ask.”

Our goal for the year is still the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover competition in October at the Kentucky Horse Park. Remarkable is entered in the eventing and freestyle categories.

The eventing test will be the Young Event Horse test for 4-year-olds, regardless of the horse’s age. I think we are right on track…

For the freestyle test, contestants will have six minutes to demonstrate “the trainability and talent” of our horses.  

People sometimes ask me if I’m going to do Horsemanship with Remarkable 54. There are different ways to answer depending on what you mean by Horsemanship.

Do you mean:

1. Using a set of tools or techniques?

2. Having an understanding of horses? 

3. Approaching him with a certain attitude?

Tools and techniques must be the most shallow answer. Yes, using the most effective tool for the job is important. But having a carrot stick does not a horseman make.  

Some people learn to understand the horse; others seem to absorb it unconsciously. For example, I pay attention to the bubble of comfort that animals can handle. That safe zone depends on the species, but also on the individual and the situation. Ever stood in an elevator? Ever tried herding chickens?

But, like con men, just because we can read a horse’s thoughts and feelings does not mean we always use that knowledge for good.

The third answer, attitude, is the most profound. It’s like asking what makes a good parent.

Causing a horse stress when you set boundaries does not always appear nice. But anytime something really new is learnt we are out of our comfort zone. 

People like George Morris and Ingrid Klimke may never have picked up a rope halter in their life, but they are great Horsemen. They are thoughtful, empathetic, patient, and enjoy their work with horses.

The likes and dislikes of horses are fairly predictable. Humans have more variations. It’s often difficult to understand other human’s attitudes. Sometimes it’s even hard to understand our own motivations. Humans can lie.  Sometimes we even lie to ourselves.

Why do you ride horses?

“Because it is fun,” is a common, if vague, answer.

Would you still ride if you couldn’t compete?  Would you still spend time with horses if you couldn’t ride?

Do you ride because of competition, the need for improvement, the relationship, the exercise, the community, to make a living? The answer will determine your attitude towards horses.

If your livelihood and safety depend on how well your horse is trained, there’s not much room for compromise.

“I want my horse to respect me, not be afraid of me. But sometimes I get pretty damn close to that line,” that same cowboy told me one time as he backed his horse up.

If riding is a hobby, there is a lot more room for compromise with your horse. You aren’t in a hurry. You don’t have to win or make a living. Of course never compromise on safety.

For our freestyle, Remarkable 54 and I will perform bridleless and at liberty. He is learning to respect and trust me, as I am him. We are finding our own brand of Horsemanship, just the two of us. And my attitude is: We are going to have fun.

The Retired Racehorse Project is putting on the Thoroughbred Makeover competition for the second year in a row. There are 10 categories: barrel racing, competitive trail, dressage, eventing, field hunter, freestyle, polo, show hunter, show jumping and working ranch. Each horse can be entered in two categories. On Sunday all the finalists compete against each other for the title of “America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred.” There is $100,000 in total prize money.

Tik Maynard grew up in Vancouver, Canada. He’s the son of a grand prix show jumper and a Grand Prix dressage rider. He competed in Pony Club games as a child and went to the Pan American Games and World Championships in modern pentathlon. After spending three years as a working student all over the world for some of the sport’s biggest names, he now focuses on eventing and natural horsemanship. He’s based in New Jersey along with his wife, four-star eventer Sinead Halpin, who also blogs for the Chronicle.

Tik blogged for the Chronicle from 2009 to 2011; you can find those entries here.