Michael Maritz blatantly defied his father to pursue his passion. It is the type of courage that, upon reflection, would have served many of us well, when abandoning our childhood ambitions to become the world’s best garage band, pursue that acting career for just one more pilot season, or, at the very least, stood firm when told to cut our hair, before finally settling into a desk job.

He is, however, far from being a ‘rebel without a cause’, committing to a rigorous training regime in what is known (possibly quite erroneously) as a gentleman’s sport.

Well, Michael did (eventually) get a haircut, but he is yet to get a real job, so to speak. He has, for the time being, placed any plans for a conventional career on hold. He is, however, far from being a ‘rebel without a cause’, committing to a rigorous training regime in what is known (possibly quite erroneously) as a gentleman’s sport, which he facilitates by working as a groom and breaking in horses to pay his way.

His polo journey started when he was 17 years old, at which time his father, himself a polo player, placed him on a horse for the first time. As can often happen when a horse senses an inexperienced rider, it bolted, making its way towards the nearest fence, where it abruptly halted, with the hope of dislodging its rider, with some velocity, over the said fence.

You would think secretly riding a horse is something not easily done, however, Michael found a way to do it, refusing to be conquered by either fear or beast, and persevered until he became sufficiently adept to reveal his progress to his parents, when the time was right.

It is a prospect that sends fear into the hearts of parents in many families with an equine tradition – those first uncertain attempts by their beloved child to ride a 400-kilogram beast.

Miraculously, Michael held on during that fateful ride, however, his father lost his nerve and forbid Michael to ride again.

You would think secretly riding a horse is something not easily done, however, Michael found a way to do it, refusing to be conquered by either fear or beast, and persevered until he became sufficiently adept to reveal his progress to his parents, when the time was right.

The rest, as they say, is history, in the making at least, as Michael continues on his path to one day become a professional polo player, despite what might be described as a tenuous start.

*Michael Maritz can be seen playing in select Urban Polo events during the 2017-2018 season.