What’s the best way to complete the Horseman challenges?

The Horseman challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2 are a series of tasks that test your riding and horse-handling skills. These challenges are divided into 10 stages, each with unique objectives that range from breaking wild horses to racing against time. Completing these challenges not only improves your horsemanship but also unlocks valuable rewards like improved stamina for your horse and unique gear.\n\nTo start the Horseman challenges, you need to progress through the game until you unlock the Challenges menu. This typically happens early in Chapter 2. Open your logbook to track your progress. Each challenge builds on the previous one, so you must complete them in order. For example, Horseman 1 requires you to ride from Valentine to Rhodes in under five minutes without touching water, while Horseman 10 demands you break every wild horse breed in the game.\n\nOne of the most common challenges is Horseman 9, which requires you to ride from Van Horn Trading Post to Blackwater in under 17 minutes without touching water. This is particularly tricky because the route takes you through dangerous territory, especially if you haven’t unlocked the Blackwater area yet. To succeed, plan your route carefully. Use the train tracks or roads to avoid water, and make sure your horse has high stamina and health. Use stimulants like Horse Stimulant or Potent Horse Medicine to keep your horse’s stamina up during the ride.\n\nAnother challenging task is Horseman 5, where you must drag a victim for 3,300 feet using your lasso. For this, you’ll need to find an NPC in a secluded area to avoid drawing attention. A good location is near the Heartland Oil Fields, where you can find isolated workers. Use your lasso to hogtie them, then mount your horse and drag them behind you. Be cautious not to kill the victim, as this will fail the challenge. Use a slow and steady pace to ensure they survive the ordeal.\n\nFor Horseman 7, which requires you to jump over three obstacles while riding your horse, head to a location with natural jumps like rocks or fences. The area around Emerald Ranch is ideal, as it has plenty of fences and open space. Approach each obstacle at a steady gallop and time your jump carefully. If you miss a jump, simply reset and try again. This challenge is more about precision than speed, so take your time.\n\nTo complete Horseman 10, you’ll need to break all nine wild horse breeds. These include the American Standardbred, Hungarian Halfbred, and Mustang, among others. Each breed can be found in specific regions. For example, Mustangs are common in the Heartlands, while the Hungarian Halfbred can be found near Big Valley. Use your lasso to catch the horse, then calm it by pressing the appropriate button prompts. Once broken, ride it to a stable to register it as completed.\n\nPractical tips for completing the Horseman challenges include always carrying Horse Stimulant and Potent Horse Medicine to maintain your horse’s stamina and health. Additionally, use the Arabian or Turkoman horse breeds for their superior speed and stamina. Finally, save your game before attempting challenging tasks like Horseman 9 or 10, so you can reload if something goes wrong. With patience and preparation, you’ll master the Horseman challenges and reap the rewards.