Nicolas Ezequiel Roldan born 4 December 1982 in Buenos Aires, Argentina is an American polo player with an 8-goal handicap rating. Currently he is Captain of the American Polo Team and considered to be the leading American polo player. He is normally referred to as Nic, the youngest ever polo player to win the US Polo Open with the Escue Team at the age of 15. His home base is in the US equestrian epicentre Wellington, Florida.
Where It All Began
Where It All Began
Nic took up the polo mallet after his great grandfather (Audilio Bonadeo Ayrolo who won the Argentine Open in 1931 & 1938), his grandfather and father who were all polo players and who encouraged him from a very young age to play. Whilst his father was based in Brunei playing for the Sultan of Brunei’s Team Nic’s talents soon out shone other kids playing. Back in the USA he played his first tournament when he was only 6.
Nic played many junior tournaments and then turned professional at 15 when he played the US Open Polo Championship which he went on to win. He was awarded the Young Polo Player of the Year title and the same year earned him a 3-goal handicap.
The Story So Far
The Story So Far
After his historic US Polo Open victory in 1998 and his studies at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was a keen player in both the Ice Hockey and Golf squads, his Roller Hockey team went on to be placed 4th in the Junior Olympics.
He’s put his name on the Cup of pretty much every leading polo tournament in the US. In addition travelling all 5 continents he won most of the major desired worldwide polo trophies: including in Argentina: Copa Camara de Diputados (2006, 80 years after his great-grandfather won it), in Australia: Australian Open (2005), in Europe: Sotogrande Bronze and Gold Cup’s (2000) and in South Africa: Highveld Champs (2005).
He has also played in Asia: Nations Cup Dubai (2009) and Fortune Heights Tianjin China (2013 & 2014), During his yearly polo tours Nic has gained worldwide recognition for his natural talent and commanding skills dominated by his spectacular, focused, driven, confident and assertive play, keen team spirit and sportsmanship.
To date he has over 30 20-goal tournaments to his name and another 10 at 26-goal or above but his repertoire includes tournaments at all levels. On top of his numerous wins Nic more often than not has been recognised as MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the game.
Aims
Aims
Nic’s passion for horses is clearly reflected in his total dedication to put horses first and riders second. He is a leading Ambassador in promoting Polo. Driven by adrenaline-powered enthusiasm he has been hosting numerous events, such as at Horses & HorsePower (AZ) to promoting his vision to celebrate the horse and to open the sport he loves to a wider audience.
He focuses on that the game that was once heralded as the Game of Kings has moved on into a new era with a promising future to be shared with old generations and a faster than ever before growing new generation of polo players, spectators and other devotees.
His biggest goals are to increase awareness and participation for the sport at all levels, reach the highest accolade 10-goal status, play the Argentine Open, claim a second US Polo Open title, add more worldwide Polo trophies to his cabinet and help America reclaim the infamous Westchester Cup.
Outside Of Polo
Outside Of Polo
Apart from his polo activities Nic is a dedicated philanthropist actively supporting a variety of charities at home and abroad. Nic is an ambassador for the Kids Cancer Foundation, a local based charity particularly close to his heart. He is also an ambassador the Brooke USA’s . The Brooke the world's largest international equine welfare charity. He has been fortunate enough to play with various members of the Royal Family to support their charities.
His good looks, style and personality as a distinguished model have contributed to gain him a place on the list of Town & Country’s 50 most desirable bachelors as well as on Vanity Fair’s list of 10 hottest horsemen as well as numerous fashion editorials. Being one of the world’s top polo players, he has always been a crowd favourite setting the gold standard and for that reason he was selected to teach reality TV stars Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian how to ride polo ponies as part of their celebrated TV show.
As an all round athlete enthusiast he takes a keen interest in Golf, Tennis, Basketball, Formula 1 Racing, Ice Hockey, American Football and Running. On his travels he always makes time to benefit from these other challenging and inspiring sports disciplines.
This to the mallet born polo player has a strong family bond not only with his father/polo mentor Raul, but also with his mother Dee, a celebrated interior designer, who assists him with his Bedford Park equestrian development projects and not to forget with his sister Lupe’s family who are all very much part of the polo fraternity.
