8 SIDELINES AUGUST 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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Fashion
As one of the highest ranked polo players in the United States,
29 year old Nic Roldan dominates the feld as well as the pages
of high profle magazines. Swinging a mallet at just four years
old, Nic became the youngest player to ever win the U.S. Open
Polo Championship at the age of 15 and from there his career has
exploded. Charging polo felds on fve continents, winning numerous
championships and acting as the offcial brand ambassador for
luxury Swiss watch maker, Piaget, are just a few of Nic’s successes.
He’s also a model, gracing the pages of well known publications
such as Vanity Fair and GQ. We got a chance to catch up with the
“American face of polo…”
Can’t leave home without…
My phone! I am constantly traveling to matches around the world,
so it’s important to keep in touch with family and friends back home.
Favorite Designer…
Sandro has amazing classics with a bit of a twist. Ralph Lauren
is the epitome of polo chic. The John Varvatos collection is always
cool with a bit of rock and roll edge. Any time I dress up or need to
hit the red carpet, Ferragamo is the way to go.
Favorite article of clothing…
My favorite article of clothing is my HR Hoodie. But the piece I
really can’t live without is my Piaget Polo FortyFive watch. It was
designed with the 45 minutes of a polo match in mind, so not only is
it titanium cased with steel gadroons; but it’s got the polo feel.
Normal pre-match ritual…
I have to get a nice, thick, juicy steak the night before, a good
night’s rest and an early morning start so I feel ready for the match.
A hearty breakfast is also a plus as well. And I defnitely can’t play
polo without my lucky socks!
Favorite place to play polo…
Wellington is my home. It’s where I grew up, so I love to play in
front of a hometown crowd. Santa Barbara is amazing as well and
Argentina is the mecca of polo!
Most memorable modeling moment…
I had a shoot for the ESPN Magazine’s Bodies issue and, although
the setting was normal (I had to ride full speed down the feld, hitting
the polo ball), the attire was…not. I was on a horse, galloping at full
speed in my briefs and ONLY my briefs. Needless to say, it was
defnitely a memorable moment.
Proudest polo accomplishment…
Winning the U.S. Open Polo Championship at 15 was defnitely
a great triumph in my career! But winning a tournament in general
really is an amazing feat; you spend all of your time training and
practicing. To see all your hard work pay off is a great moment. In
addition, I really enjoy being an ambassador to the sport, sharing
the experience with others and spreading the word of polo in the
States.
AModel
Polo Player
Nic Roldan
Photo by Chiun-Kai Shih