THE STORY
AN OVERVIEW
Nicolas Ezequiel Roldan was born on 4 December 1982 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is an American polo player with an 8-goal handicap rating. Currently he is Captain of the American Polo Team and is 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.
Whilst Nic made his name for his polo prowess, his brand continues to expand. Nic is a successful businessman, having developed his own property company and apparel line, as well as partnering with some very exciting companies as an official partner, representative and spokesperson. Nic also recently gained his Real Estate licence and is proud to work with Equestrian Sotheby's Wellington.
Nic also has a solid commitment to wellbeing and fitness and is always striving to ensure that he is in peak condition, both physically and mentally, for the sport he loves. Read more about Nic's regime HERE.
Read more about Nic's business interests on the R Polo Holdings page.
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
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: Queen's Cup (2018), Sotogrande Bronze and Gold Cups (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 40 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.
NIC ROLDAN'S 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 commitment to increase awareness and participation for the sport he loves with a wider audience of players and new spectators reflects his passionate dedication to Polo. He aims to highlight the intense athletic nature of the sport for horse and man whilst continuing to add more worldwide Polo trophies to his cabinet. As a tastemaker, Nic thrives on using the sport as a way to connect people and brands.
...I was always very lucky that my father in particular supported me and made sure I had all the right tools at hand to help me progress, be it horses or knowledge.
OUTSIDE OF POLO
Nic has always been business minded and takes great pride in his growing portfolio of interests. You can read more about R Polo Holdings HERE. Apart from this and 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 for the Buddy Programme. He has also been fortunate enough to play with various members of the Royal Family to support their charities.
A distinguished model, having been featured in numerous fashion editorials, Nic's good looks, style and personality 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. 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, whose family who are all very much part of the polo fraternity.