94 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Arianna Delin
On the field, professional 8-goal polo player Nic Roldan is a
powerhouse of innate ability. Born in Argentina, the American polo
player was raised in the Brunei and the United States. Following in
his family’s footsteps, he was swinging a polo mallet shortly after
learning to take his first steps. Nic was the youngest player to ever
win the U.S. Open at just 15 years of age, and has played with
both Prince Harry and Prince William multiple times. With natural
talent racing through his veins, he has dedicated his life to the
sport and its betterment for both horse and rider, as well as to
helping people off the field.
Soon
after
reaching
his professional status at
age 14, Nic captured the
sought-after U.S. Open Polo
Championship in 1998 with
team Escue. He continued
to compete on polo fields
across the world, riding
on five continents and
building an impressive list of
accolades. As one of polo’s
up-and-coming stars, he
has been featured in
Vanity
Fair’s
10 Hottest Horsemen,
was the cover of
Hamptons
e
Polo
magazine and
City & Shore
, was featured in the
New York Times
,
as well as was one of
Town & Country’s
top 50 bachelors. He was
also a
Sidelines
Hot Horsemen in 2013.
The fame hasn’t affected his heart, stepping in to help others
has become a second nature to him. As JustWorld International’s
first Polo Ambassador he has been working with the organization
for the past two years to spread the word and make a difference
for impoverished children across the globe.
It was through his role with PoloGear™ that Nic was introduced
to JustWorld’s founder, Jessica Newman. The organization has
been a catalyst in the horse show world promoting philanthropy
in professional, amateur
and junior riders alike.
JustWorld
funds
life-
changing nutrition, health,
hygiene, education, as well
as leadership and cultural
development
programs
for impoverished children
in Cambodia, Honduras
and Guatemala. When
Nic and Jessica met, the
organization didn’t have
any polo representatives,
and their mission spoke
to him – so he jumped on
Nic Roldan Is
Hot – On and
Off the Field
Nic Roldan
Nic leaps from one horse to the next during a polo game.
Continued on page 96
