64 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Another Snow Goes Pro
By Cay Young
Nick Snow, a Massachusetts native who now calls Aiken, South
Carolina his home, is becoming quite the force to be reckoned with
on the polo feld. After graduating from Harvard University, Nick
has taken on polo full-time. He has played on many successful
teams, been a member of Team USPA and recently represented
the United States in the Federation of International Polo.
Playing for Team USPA is an honor, and the Team USPA
members are able to play their mentors, including 10 goalers
Owen Reinhart and Adam Snow. If the last name Snow sounds
familiar, that’s because Adam and Nick are brothers. Nick isn’t the
only Snow to play polo and attend an Ivy League school – Adam
went to Yale. That’s not the only Ivy League polo connection in the
Snow family -- Nick and Adam’s father, Crocker Snow, Jr., was
Nick’s polo coach at Harvard.
Not only is Nick a successful polo player but he played
collegiate hockey and can be often found playing pick-up soccer
games. Nick appears to have a bright future in the sport and will
be playing a lot of polo this fall in Aiken!
How did you begin your riding career?
Polo and riding began at the same time for me when I was 5
or so with my parents in Ipswich, Massachusetts. My dad played
during the summers and had a string of horses so it was natural
that I would be hoisted up in the saddle to swing a mallet when I
was young. My mom took me to do some jumping with our polo
ponies when I was 10 but that never stuck and polo did.
What are you doing in polo right now?
I am currently a 4 goal professional player based out of Aiken
and am just beginning the fall season here. My season in Aiken
will be busy as I will be playing in 8, 12 and 16 goal polo through
the beginning of November. My plans for Florida are still up in the
air and that uncertainty in the coming months is a constant issue
being a professional polo player. It is no walk in the park making
a living playing polo; but I am lucky to do what I love and I am
enjoying the opportunity and trying to make the most of it.
What was your most embarrassing moment with horses?
One of my most embarrassing moments was when I was 12
and stick and balling across the river from my house. My horse,
Tinta, took off (dad told me it got stung by bee...not true!!!) and I
hung on until it made a turn down the trail and I went fying, luckily
just a bruised ego. I had to walk back across the river in my
boots and jeans and arrived soaking wet at the barn.
What traits do you look for in a polo pony?
A balanced horse is the most important thing to me. One
that can make a quick turn but also move to the side at
speed while maintaining control and being ready for the
next play. I want to see balance in the proportion of the
horse, not that there is one prototype, but that for its size...
the length and size of the head, neck, back and legs all
make sense. Speed and power with a good stop doesn’t
hurt either...ha!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself owning a farm (not sure where yet), raising a
family, producing good horses and playing at the top level.
As far as polo is concerned, I want to reach my potential as
a player and feel like I have along way to go. In 10 years, I
expect my horse knowledge and riding to improve and want
to become more of a horseman as opposed to just a polo
player. I would like to be a part of helping the sport grow
and bringing young new people into the sport because that
is the future for polo in America.
Nick Snow and girlfriend Amanda Hersey
Photo by Cristina Fernandez
e
Polo
A Harvard graduate, Nick has taken on polo full-time
Photo by Amy Wisehart