Juancito Bollini
Teen Polo Player Among The Sport’s Next Generation Of Stars Story by Sharon Robb Photos by Scott Fisher
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in polo and how they play the game today.
Born in the polo hotbed of Argentina, the Wellington High School graduate grew up watching his father play polo around the world. Now, he is following in his footsteps.
“He has a love for the game and the horses as I do, but he is a different style player than I am and has more opportunities than I ever had,” Juan Sr. said. “I don’t have the talent he has with the ball — the timing, spacing and fluidity. He has so much natural talent.”
t 17, Juancito Bollini is polo’s next generation.
Juan Bollini, a former banker who started late in the game in his early 20s, rose quickly through the rankings, eventually becoming an eight-goaler. The comparisons between father and son are inevitable, but there are few similarities in how they got their start
Juan Sr., 51, is known for his fiery, physical style of play and powerful hitting. Juancito, rated at 1.5 goals, is more of a finesse and technical player. “I always wanted him to play polo,”
Juan Sr. said. “I love the game, and it has done so much for me. I met my wife playing polo. I hope one day he is 10 goals and better than me. I hope he appreciates what he has and the opportunities he has been given.” Juan Sr. came up the hard way in polo. His parents sold their farm in Argentina because of the economy. He played polo on weekends with his uncle and cousins, and worked for everything he got in the game. Juancito was exposed to polo at an early age, watching his father play in Argentina, England and the United Juancito Bollini leads the pack during a medium-goal game at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington.
|wellington the the magazine| magazine| August August 2013 2013 |wellington
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