Cubana, F, Chestnut (TB Name: Total Regs by City Zip, 2010)

Cubana is a OTTB mare Kris Kampsen & Martin Phagouape bought as a 3 year old in Lex-ington thanks to the help of Mt Brilliant’s Gay Bredin. Kris was keen to purchase her as he knew her bloodline was special with her father being City Zip, one of the top sires in racing and as far as we know she is his only progeny in polo, his bloodlines are simply unaffordable.

Kris comments she’s an incredible mare and that as soon as he sat on her he was impressed by how effortless she made every move. Kris and Martin made her polo ready and Kris started playing her at Grand Champions Polo Club after which Nic bought her. She played in the 2015 East Coast Open at Greenwich and 2017 is her first full Florida high-goal season, she has matured into a consistent great mare doing everything that is asked of her, an all rounder as far as her abilities go.

In January 2017 Cubana won her first Best Playing Pony award in a league game of the Joe Barry Cup at the International Polo Club, it looks like a bright future for this mare stepping up to the plate in the big league.

Fortuna is one of the mares Nic took with him to England for the 2016 UK season. This bay mare is relatively new to Nic’s string. She was bred by Ellerstina out of Grappa Casino (son of Picaro) & Isabela & is AACCP registered, her official name is Open Isadora & she is the result of embryo transfer, as many Argentine polo ponies are. She played the 2013 Argentine triple crown with Gonzalito Pieres in Ellerstina & then became part of his U.S. string until Nic bought her earlier in the year.

She is never pushy or rude in the barn & loves a good scratch on her withers but despite being a small horse cometh the hour she is all business & turns into a real machine ready to give any horse a run for its money. She is very powerful, easy, agile & quick off the mark. As she is new to Nic’s string he look’s forward to getting to know her better.

Cullette, April 2016 (Fort Knox & Petticoat/ 2002 / Chestnut / Mare:
BPP awards include: Hall of Fame Cup (26 Goal) 2011
American Polo Horse Association Registered

Culotte (original spelling as her mother was Petticoat) was bred by Lee and Melanie Taylor of Wildwood, Tennessee. Her mother Petticoat was a tb/quarter horse polo mare and a granddaughter of Northern Dancer. Petticoat was trained by the Taylor’s who leant her to Adam Snow to play in the high goal polo in Florida and beyond. She incurred an injury and lost one eye so returned to the Taylor’s to become a broodmare. Culotte was her first foal. Her father was Fort Knox by Miswaki by Mr Prospector. Fort Knox’ dam was Mrs Penny who was champion 2 and 3 yr old in England.

The Taylors kept 2 stallions and a dozen broodmares who were all polo mares and just enjoyed bringing them along. Cullette was started as a 2 yr old in a Buck Brannaman clinic (natural horsemanship) that was held at their farm and as Melanie’s background is hunting/jumping Cullette even jumped. When Cullette was 3 Melanie’s husband Lee passed away and she downsized the polo breeding operation with Cullette being sold to the Lequerica’s in Houston Texas who brought her along in polo. They eventually sold into sold her onto Canadian polo player and horse maker Todd Offen who took her on further and took her to Palm Beach where in turn Nic bought her in 2005.

Cullette is one of the cores of Nic’s 26 goal string. She is a small horse but super electric/sensitive with a distinct quick movement. She has a great temperament and is very consistent. Keep you eye peeled guys as she will be making the hop across the pond this spring so I can play her in the UK high goal.

Ilusionada, March 2016.

Ilusionada is a absolute rockstar and a real favourite of mine. She was bred by Cambiaso (her full name is: Dolfina Ilusionada) and was born in 2003 as the result of embryo transfer. Her father is Dolfina Millonario and her mother Ilusion.

I played her as a 3 year old in the Copa Camera Disputados in Argentina which was the year the team I was playing on won. I then took her back to the States with me and she has literally played in everything and at all levels since.

In 2014 I took her to play in the UK and then bought her back to the States again. She is my go to spare in the 26 goal as her speed knows no limits. She is very powerful and I can always count on her when needed. She has a special place in my heart and has been a key part in many wins.

To find out more about her breeding, take a look here

Bombo was bred in Argentina by Juan Lagos Marmol out of a thoroughbred stallion called Noticiario & a thoroughbred mare called Bomba. His brother is Granda who played the Argentine Open as did Bombo himself in 2008, 09, 10 & 11 under Augustin Merlos.

In 2012 & 2013 he was played in the Palm Beach season before heading to the UK where in 2014 Nic played him in the high goal before buying him & taking him to the US. He is the now the elder statesman of Nic’s yard & one of the few geldings he has.

He is very consistent, having lots of power & good laterals. He has a strong character & Nic consider’s him the War horse of his string.

New York is a OTTB mare that Nick Manifold purchased as a 4/5 yr old from Kalyn Marsh. Nick said she was a really nice prospect, the most notable thing that she had was a super soft mouth.

Nick kept her for 2 yrs, going on to play her in medium goal and some high goal to finish her off. She had a terrific attitude wanting to learn and improve. Nick added: “we called her New York as we were in NY when we purchased her!!! Not so original”.

Nic bought her from Nick in Palm Beach in 2014, in 2015 she played all the 20 goal at IPC and 2016 will be her first time playing the full season. She is a horse Nic is very excited by and is extremely fast with super good sides and very correct.

Cohiba is one of Nic’s young horses, an OTTB mare Kris Kampsen & Martin Phagouape bought off the track as a 4 year old.

They spent a year making her polo ready & playing her at Kris’s farm before Kris started playing her at Grand Champions Polo Club after which Nic bought her. Nic played her all fall season at Grand Champs culminating with playing her in the #USPA International Cup as part of the USA team against South Africa.

Kris comments she is put together very well for polo & from the start showed her talent. Nic finds her super athletic; having lots of power & that she is extremely good on laterals.

Both Kris & Nic agree she has lots of potential & is one to keep an eye out for.

Prima was bread in Australia by Ruki Baillieu. Her thoroughbred mother “Pimms” was one of the best mares Ruki ever played & her father was an American thoroughbred stallion that was brought out to Australia called “Wondaby Highlight” Ruki brought Prima over to the US as a green horse but she got a knee injury so Nacho Lezica ended up with her & after much rest & recuperation she made a come back & proved a worthy addition to Nic’s string. She was super strong, powerful & very quick & in a 2015 US Open quarter final match was awarded the #BPP award.

Now she has swapped her sneakers for slippers & is a brood mare.

Fama’s full name is Metejon Fama-T/E (T/E meaning she is the result of embryo transfer). She was bred & made by Argentine 7goal player Santiago Chavanne from who Nic bought her.

In 2014 & 2015 Nic played her in the UK where she was one of his best horses & then he took her back to the States where she played in the 2015 #EastCoastOpen & in fact it was her he was riding in the final to score the winning goal on in overtime to take the cup. She is extremely correct, super handy & very agile.

You can find out more of her breeding & details by visiting the two links here and here

Ducati is an American off the track thoroughbred who ran in 8 races (TB Name: Smallness) that Nic bought from Mariano Aguerre & Nick Manifold.

She is still a youngster really as far as polo is concerned & is showing great promise. She is super powerful, strong and fast.
Horse Name Smallness (FL), Tattoo: J09074, February 7 2006, Stud: Favorite Trick, Dam: Name Kathleen Mahveryan, Color: Bay, Sex: Mare, Breeder: Carol L Ahearn, Ran in 8 races (2 x 2nd, 2 x 3rd)

Tulsa is one of Nic’s very best. She’s a thoroughbred that James Armstrong and Orrin Ingram of Riverview Farm got off the track in Oklahoma as a 4 year old.

Armando Huerta trained her for two years after which Orrin played her a season or two before Nic bought her. Both Orrin and Armando agreed that she is was one of the best horses they had ever played. She is a total superstar.

This month it's "ME", she's a real favourite of Nic’s and is also the inspiration behind the Polo Gear Nic Roldan Elite Polo Saddle. She is registered at the American Polo Horse Association.

ME is a one of the stars in Nic’s string. She is a stunning mare! Nic bought her from polo player Martin Estrada with whose initials (“ME”) she is branded, hence the name. He bought her as an unbroken 2 year old at a big thoroughbred farm in Ocala, Fl and trained her. He says that from day one she was always very willing to please, quick to learn and that he just had to show her how to use what she already had. Her athleticism is what impresses most. She’s proved to be very natural and shines as a horse who Nic is always excited to play. She definitely always makes a difference in the game.