Tagan swings into the saddle with panache

A blooming flower on horseback.

For Tagan Maritz, maintaining the delicate balance between her passion for equestrian sport and a good education has its rewards.

High school pupil, Tagan has already proven herself a capable rider.

For the past two years, she competed provincially as a member of the Junior Development side, and represented the district in the gymkhana discipline.

“My goal is to ride for the Proteas in tent pegging.”

Asked how difficult it was to juggle various disciplines, Tagan replied it was tricky, and she had already given up hockey to focus on her horse riding and improving academic performance.

She is also training her body, to handle the demands of competitive sport.

“I take the horses out, to keep them fit and training for gymkhana. I also do spinning for my own fitness.”

Tagan’s love for horses was fostered through her mother, while her grandfather remains an inspiration for his unflinching support and teaching Tagan right from wrong.

To date, she nurtures an understanding with the majestic creatures.

“Trust is big with horses; you need to have patience and be ready for new things. Horses can have mood swings too.”

Through promotion of horse riding among her peers, Tagan has assumed the role of an ambassador of the sport, and for the potential within women.

“Anyone is capable, you just need to believe.”

Vehemently stating no woman should be ‘put down’, Tagan further urged residents and youth in particular, to give horse riding a chance.

“It is a focused sport and good for the mind.”

An aspirant jockey needs to undertake riding lessons and get into the saddle, she continued, building confidence and moving upwards from there.

“Find a horse and just go for it!”