By Darlene Ricker
Top American polo player Nic Roldan is accustomed to storming the field on the fastest thing on four hooves, and this season he’ll have some special four-wheeled “horsepower” to get him to every match. In a new partnership, Jeep UK provides Roldan, the top-rated American polo player, with a top-of-the-range Jeep Grand Cherokee. Combining space, it’s legendary 4×4 off-road capability and towing capacity, it’s the perfect vehicle for the consummate All-American player to get to and from games.
Roldan recently arrived in London to prepare for the 2016 British high goal polo season. Awaiting him was a Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Summit 2.987 5-door 8-speed automatic, which he will drive from his base at Cowdray Park Polo Club whilst he competes for the La Indiana Polo Team in the 2016 Cartier Queen’s Cup, which has begun this week at Guards Polo Club, and in the 2016 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup (21 June-17 July) at Cowdray. La Indiana already made a great start to the season winning the Jaeger-LeCoulre Trippetts Challenge last weekend.
“I am very excited and appreciative of my partnership with Jeep UK. They have such a unique and long heritage within equestrian sports, especially polo,” said Roldan. “The Jeep Grand Cherokee will be a perfect fit for my needs,” added the professional athlete, who thrives on adventure and the adrenalin of a fast, smooth ride that has room for his equestrian equipment and can handle any type of terrain.
“Nic is one of the world’s best polo players so we are excited to be adding him to our roster of athletes,” said Damian Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK. “Nic competes in many of the elite polo tournaments around the world and the fact he can now get to and from those events in the Grand Cherokee ensures he can prepare and arrive fully focused for competition. Grand Cherokee suits his needs as a polo player: space to carry his equipment, a vehicle fit to transport his horses to and from competition while in a luxurious cockpit.”
Fueled by talent, charisma and passion, Roldan is the youngest polo player in the world to win the prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship at a mere 15 years of age. He received the 2012 Harriman Cup Award, which honours stellar individuals who have made huge contributions to the world of polo and who embody the leadership, public service and staunch advocacy and support for equestrian sports that were characteristics of the legendary American diplomat Averell Harriman.
Rated at 8 goals in the United States and 7 in the UK, Roldan is widely respected as the top-rated American polo player. He has competed in the world’s major polo tournaments on every continent, amassing numerous wins. Earlier this month Roldan competed with Prince Harry in the 2016 Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup in Palm Beach, Florida. At the end of the month in-between his polo commitments Roldan will also be taking part in the Vitality London 10,000, a 10K run through London in order to raise funds for The Brooke, one of the two charities to which he is an ambassador.
Jeep have a history of dedication and support internationally to the sport of polo. They have a long-time active presence in polo in Australia, most notably as sponsor of the Victoria Polo Club. Jeep were also the automotive sponsor of the prestigious Ellerstina Polo Team in Argentina, which advanced to the 122º Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (Argentine Open Polo Championship) Final in 2015. In the eventing world top British rider William Fox-Pitt is one of Jeep’s ambassadors. 2016 is also a special year for Jeep as they are celebrating 75 years of Jeep.
For more information on Jeep UK: jeep.co.uk
To learn about Nic Roldan and his polo career: nicroldan.com