HIS & HERS
NIC ROLDAN:
Polo’s Captain Marvel
With LA Sokolowski, equinista
Photos provided by Nic Roldan
Nicolas Ezequiel Roldan, 37, is all about the numbers. He’s
a fourth-generation polo player and America’s top-ranked
player (with an impressive 8-goal handicap) who, before
earning wins on all five continents at every goal level, was
also its youngest (age 15) US Open Polo titlist. We’ll opt for
calling him polo’s Top American Ambassador, and the goals
are on a public field aimed at increasing awareness and
participation for the sport at all levels. Thanks to his energy
for the sport in and out of the saddle, the US Polo Association
has benefited in Internationals and increased its number of
Beach Polo, Snow Polo and philanthropic events. What’s next
for this charismatic captain, part-time model, and former
Town & Country Magazine Top 50 Bachelor? Try achieving
10-goal status, winning his second US Open Polo titl,e and
helping America reclaim the infamous Westchester Cup.
Most of all, to keep growing the sport and a new World Polo
League created by Marc and Melissa Ganzi, with Bob and
Robert Jonavas: “The League hosts the highest level of polo
outside of Argentina, right there in Wellington, Florida.”
HERS: What do you remember about your first
horse or pony?
HIS: Her name was China. She was a old grey
mare from Pony Express. She was amazing! I
spent hours on her riding and stick ‘n’ balling.
HERS: What do you like best in a horse?
HIS: Power, for sure.
HERS: What book would you like to find time to
read?
HIS: Sports motivation books.
HERS: Last series you binge watched?
HIS: Yellowstone.
HERS: Is there a job in your past that was never
included on your résumé?
HIS: I’ve never had any job other than playing
polo. Between ages 12-15 I got paid in the summer
to flag polo games and at 15 I was a professional
player.
EQUINE Lifestyle
HERS: If you worked outside the horse world what
would you be doing?
HIS: Real estate development. Doing it now as
well.
HERS: What is your favorite quote?
HIS: The Dalai Lama says, “If you want to be
happy for a moment, seek revenge. If you want
to always be happy, forgive.”
HERS: Describe yourself in one word? What word
might your friends choose?
HIS: Driven and high energy (haha).
HERS: Where do you see horse sport headed in
this new decade?
HIS: I think the sport is headed in the right direction,
especially the jumping and polo disciplines.
Our growth in the sport is positive and we have
more teams in high goal this year than ever.
Events like Aspen Snow Polo and Miami Beach
Polo have done a great job of putting polo on
different maps.
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