Wellington’s Nic Roldan Known Around The World As An Ambassador Of Polo By Lauren Miró
Known worldwide as a polo and style icon, Nic Roldan has made a name for himself on and off the field, captivating polo enthusiasts across the globe with his powerful presence on the field. A Wellington hometown hero, Roldan got his start in the sport of kings in our own backyard, growing up with the support of the local polo community. “The sport of polo is incomparable to any other sports,” Roldan said. “For me, it’s the best there is. I feel very blessed to be doing what I am doing.” Though born in Buenos Aires, Roldan was raised on the polo fields of Wellington. The Cardinal Newman High School graduate took an early interest in the sport. By age four, he could swing a polo mallet. His father, Raul Roldan, played for the Sultan of Brunei’s polo team and served as inspiration for his son. The younger Roldan got an early start, fueled not only by his father, but the polo-friendly atmosphere in Wellington. Now rated at 8 goals, Roldan is a familiar face at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Currently, he plays for the Grand Champions Polo Club on team Audi. “I think growing up here in Wellington helped a lot,” Roldan said of his career. “Especially growing up in a big organization like Pony Express, where I had access to lots of horses, good practices and a lot of support. Thanks to my dad and Pony Express, I was able to play all the time in high-goal tournaments.” Spurred by his father, along with his natural talent, Roldan quickly became a polo prodigy. He reached professional status at age 14, making him one of the youngest players to do so. In 1998, at age 15, Roldan’s team won the U.S. Open Polo Championship — the most prestigious polo award in the country, and one of the top polo honors in the world. Named Younger Player of the Year in 1999, Roldan’s name quickly rose among the world’s elite polo players. His domination on the field didn’t stop there. For
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May 2014 |wellington the magazine| 10th Anniversary
the past 15 years, Roldan has been a force on the polo field both nationally and internationally. He has captured some of the world’s top titles, including the Cámara de Diputados Cup in Argentina, the Bronze and Gold Cup of Spain and the Melbourne Cup in Australia. Nationally, he has captured nearly every major tournament win, including the C.V. Whitney Cup, the Pacific Coast Open, the Texas Open, the MercedesBenz Polo Challenge, the Monty Waterbury and the Gold Cup of the Americas, winning each twice. He has grown from polo prodigy to polo ambassador, spreading the love of the sport across the world. In 2012, he was honored with the Harriman Cup, given to him for his huge contributions to the sport. “I’d say my biggest accomplishments are definitely winning the U.S. Open at age 15, winning many titles around the world and, most of all, being a true ambassador to the sport of polo,” Roldan said. Known for his charitable giving, Roldan is an ambassador for JustWorld International and has been at the forefront of many charity tournaments. With his eyes on capturing a second U.S. Open Polo Championship, an Argentine Open and attaining a 10-goal rating, Roldan works tirelessly under the watchful eye of polo veterans both in Argentina and the U.S. He said his love for the sport keeps him driven. “I have been around horses since I was a baby, and it’s what I love. The speed and intensity are important, as well,” he said. “Being able to travel around the world to gorgeous places doing what I love is amazing.” In addition to his polo fame, Roldan has rocketed