BY TISHIN DONKERSLEY, M.A.
Nic Roldan began playing polo as a young boy. By the age of 14 he had won his first championship and has played professionally ever since. Known for his boyish good looks, charm, and humble attitude, this part polo player of the Bel Air Polo Club and part GQ model spends plenty of time away from the elite parties others in his shoes would relish focused on his priorities─his family and his horses.
Roldan and I recently sat down to talk about the importance of equine health, family, and supporting eco-friendly practices.
The most misunderstood part of polo is that while the players get all the glory, the horses are actually the most critical part of the game; Roldan give the horses 80 percent of the credit for games, and views them as athletes like himself.
With 25 to 30 horses to care for in Florida, Roldan makes sure his horses are in top shape and puts the least amount of stress on them during games to allow for a faster recovery.
“Polo is one of the oldest sports and we continue to do things the same way, and have the same traditions─which makes it special─but at the same time, we are learning things, and the sport is getting more intense and physical, and it’s evolving as any other sport.”
Roldan acknowledged that one thing that hasn’t changed in polo is the saddles─saddles that continually put stress and strain on a horse’s shoulders and, ultimately, its performance. Roldan, who is continually looking for ways to help his four-legged teammates, went into research mode.
“Over the past couple of years I’ve worked with my vet and chiropractor to find a way to put less strain on my horses. The sport takes a lot out of my horses, and they come back tired, just like any athlete. I started thinking of a way to minimize how sore they are after a game or speed up their recovery─and I came up with a new saddle design. For polo players, the saddles are placed very high up on the horse’s neck because we want to be forward and move around the horse’s neck to get the ball. But, at the same time, by putting the saddle up on the horse’s shoulders, it minimizes the movement of the horse’s shoulders and constricts mobility,” Roldan explained.
“What we’ve done is design the saddle that placed the whole frame of the saddle back on the horse─and still have the player seat in front─but still gives the horse more mobility; I use these saddles for all of my horses, and they are custom fit to the horse. If you can get 10-15 percent more out of a horse’s performance or recovery, it’s huge. I named it ‘Free Shoulder Saddles.’”
In addition to great concern for his horses’ health and sustainability, Roldan is also passionate about using green practices on his farm.
“We compost all the manure and we spread it all over the pasture or the polo fields. Also, my uncle has a pest control company, and he has switched to eco-friendly products, and uses the products around the farm.”
While still in the early stages of transitioning his farm to more sustainable practices such as alternative energy, water quality and site planning, Roldan recognized that “going green” would benefit his horses and the environment.
“I never really thought about it for my horses, but if it’s something that we do (for ourselves), why can’t we do it for them as well. If it’s good for us, then it’s probably good for them,” Roldan said.
Roldan’s personal green practices include recycling when possible, eating healthy, and, back in the Hamptons, visiting farmers markets and restaurants that have locally-grown and organic foods. “I try to eat as healthy as possible and I like juicing,” he said.
With all the fame and fashion and lavish parties, I wondered what kept Roldan so grounded? Family and faith, he stated simply.
“We are Catholics, my father is religious, and we follow the same Latin traditions in Argentina. We are a tight family, very close, and we love each other very much. No matter
where I am in the world, the first people I call in the morning are my parents. Whether I’m in Wellington or Africa, I call them, and it keeps me humble. I’m also excited to be an uncle, as my sister is due at the end of the year,” he said with a smile.
What is next for Nic Roldan?
Roldan continues to play in New York, begins his preseason in Florida at the beginning of October, then he’s off to Argentina. In between, he finds opportunities to promote the sport, and his charity Rally for Kids with Cancer, as much as possible.
Although Roldan couldn’t yet speak about many of his currently “active” eco-friendly practices, my hope is that, as an influencer, he will take on more sustainable practices for his horses and himself, and lead his generation and like-minded people to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Why do I think he might do it?
As I exited he hollered, “The next time you see me, I’ll be more eco-friendly!”
Deal.
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THE SCOTTSDALE POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: HORSES+HORSEPOWER
On October 20, 2012, Nic Roldan will captain The Bel Air Polo Club against The Hamptons at The Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses+ Horsepower.
Sponsored by the City of Scottsdale, Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and many others, The Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses+Horsepower has greatly expanded from last year’s inaugural event and will now feature a three match showdown featuring some of the biggest names in American polo.
Gates will open at 10:00 a.m., with a warm-up match featuring members of the Arizona Polo Club dubbed U.S. vs. Columbia, with more matches to follow throughout the day.
But great polo isn’t the only attraction that will be on display at the high-energy event. Attendees will also enjoy a sneak preview of the 2013 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and see some serious horsepower with a preview of Barrett-Jackson’s 2013 Collector Car Auction along with the local Ferrari and Lamborghini clubs lining the field. The “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction” will host its 42nd annual car extravaganza in January.
A portion of the proceeds from the Polo Championships will benefit Work to Ride and local charities.
Go to thepoloparty.com to purchase tickets including the El Santo Champagne and Tequila Lounge, The Lounge: Presented by Phoenix Fashion Week, The Barrett-Jackson VIP Tent, Cusp Exclusive VIP by Neiman Marcus, the Molina Fine Jeweler Drivers and Player’s Lounge, tailgating tickets and more. Limited tables are available for reservation. Information about corporate sponsorship opportunities is also available.
Or for more information go to: thepoloparty.com
For more information on traveling to Scottsdale visit ExperienceScottsdale.com.
