By Katie Roth Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions
Hugo Lloret grew up on a farm in Marcos Juárez, Córdoba State, Argentina, where his family raises Aberdeen angus cattle. Becoming a farmer would have been a natural career path for Hugo, but a future as a professional athlete would become reality instead. But, if you had asked Hugo, he would have said he would play soccer, not polo. Although Hugo learned to ride and play polo as a youngster (his father held regular polo practices at the farm), the game of soccer was his first love. He was heading toward a career as a professional player, but a back injury forced him to rethink his future. Soccer took a backseat and he continued to play polo as he attended college. Hugo attended law school in Argentina for five years and needs only one more year to complete his degree. Hugo chose to attend Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, a public university. “Public universities are well known in Argentina for being difficult and I love to take on a challenge,” he said. Although he studied hard at school and earned good grades, his head was always in polo and he began to travel more and more to play as a professional. “My mom would love for me to finish my law degree,” said Hugo, “and one day I plan to go back and do so.” Hugo Lloret first visited Aiken in fall 2014, when he played for Alan Meeker and the Crestview Genetics team. He could have stayed anywhere in Aiken, but he chose to rent a house in New Bridge and keep his horses here. “New Bridge reminds me of home”, said Hugo. “My family enjoys the beautiful scenery, inviting atmosphere, and friendly people at New Bridge,” he said. Hugo likes to play in the United States, especially when his wife Silvana and daughter can join him. Three-year-old daughter, Catalina already loves horses – who knows, she may have a future in horses as well?
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