The Road to the Horse competition is a unique event for colt starters. Four days of amazing horsemanship were witnessed by fans worldwide at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington from March 27 to 30. With four contestants from around the world in the Wild Card Round, the weekend got underway. In the Championship Round, Buster McLaury, the victor of that round, faced off against three invited horse trainers.
There were contestants from the United States, Argentina, Canada, and New Zealand in 2025, making for an excellent international roster. There were two past Road to the Horse Champions in the World Championship Round group. Tik Maynard of Canada won the competition in 2024, and Vicki Wilson of New Zealand has won it again.
Twenty different categories are used to determine scoring for the Championship, which is divided over three days. On the third day, the overall champion is decided after a winner is chosen from each round. The competition’s final day, which has a lengthy obstacle course, builds on the effort done in the prior two rounds. All four contestants use their own round pens and work simultaneously for the first two rounds. On the third day, one team at a time, the horses and riders are introduced into the ring.
In the final round of the competition, each team started in the round pen, where they were evaluated on their saddling skills. After this, they exited the round pen to navigate the arena, with judges assessing their performance on tasks like walking, trotting, and loping in both directions. They then utilized the remaining time to tackle various obstacles.
During the Championship, all four competitors showcased remarkable talent. Buster McLaury secured his place by winning the Wild Card Round with his filly, raised at Pitchfork Ranch. He competed alongside Wilson, Maynard, and Phil Haugen.
Wilson, the winner of the competition’s first round, performed an amazing job with the roan gelding she chose, Lil Smart Cattack. In the end, they placed third in the tournament. Starrin Miss Bamacat, a genuine cowboy horse, was chosen by Phil Haugen. On the last day, Haugen managed to get the colt through much of the obstacle course despite the fact that he was a bit of a struggle.
In the competition, Buster McLaury was able to train a second colt from Pitchfork Ranch, this time a gelding. He went with Sugar Cattack. In both Rounds 1 and 2, he came in second. Although McLaury had chosen a colt that was more sensitive, the colt also completed most of the obstacle course on the last day.
All attention was focused on the 2024 champion, Tik Maynard, who delivered a flawless performance throughout the competition. Partnered with his horse, Goodluck Suncat, Maynard excelled in Round 1, skillfully tackling the challenges presented on the first day. He secured victory in Round 2, taking his horse beyond the round pen while continuing to master the obstacles. By Round 3, it was evident that Maynard and the colt were in perfect sync, expertly maneuvering through the obstacle course, culminating in a triumphant finish with Maynard standing proudly atop his horse.
The Canadian three-day eventer is dedicated to sharing his knowledge with others through clinics, books, podcasts, and as an instructor for online equine training platforms. With this achievement, Maynard joins an exclusive group of trainers who have claimed the competition title multiple times.
Maynard won a $75,000 award as the Champion, along with a customized saddle and buckle, and each Round winner received a $5,000 bonus. Wilson received $10,000 for finishing third, Haugen received $5,000 for finishing third, and McLaury was named the Reserve Champion, earning a $20,000 cash prize.
