Polo Star Nic Roldan Back On Ipc Fields The Top American Polo Star Is At Home In Wellington As He Grows His Unique Brand

By Donna Washington

It has been 24 years since top American polo player Nic Roldan became the youngest person ever to win the U.S. Open Polo Championship when he did so at age 15 in 1998. More than two decades later, the star’s trajectory only continues to evolve and grow — and he’ll be back at the U.S. Open this season on the fields of the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Wellington is known as the “Winter Equestrian Capital,” and in many ways, Roldan stands out as one of its truest ambassadors. He’s no transient visitor, but someone who calls Wellington home, since his early years attending New Horizons Elementary School, and later Cardinal Newman High School.

We recently caught up with him early one morning outside of Starbucks, a favorite morning haunt. It’s a great spot for people watching, Roldan explained. He loves his hometown, and despite being fortunate enough to have played all over the world, nothing makes Roldan happier than being back home in Wellington.

He’s often asked in interviews where his favorite place to go for dinner is. Perhaps writers expect him to rattle off a list of the latest, coolest restaurants, not the iconic Wellington eatery Park Avenue BBQ Grill. His repertoire of dining faves in Wellington also includes breakfast at Cilantro’s, Gabriel’s Café or First Watch; brunch at Oli’s; lunch at Field of Greens, Bolay or his parents’ favorite Lemongrass Asian Bistro; dinner at Sushi Moto, the Clubhouse at Palm Beach Polo or Kaluz. For a quick meal, a visit to PDQ hits the spot.

Roldan appeared on the cover of the March 2009 issue of Wellington The Magazine wearing a Pony Express team shirt. He explained how the now late Pony Express patron Bob Daniels was such a key person in his career, to his own family’s life and how today he actually has his horses in the same barn featured back then.

Roldan is palpably excited for the upcoming 2022 high-goal polo season in Wellington.

He’s a stalwart of Marc and Melissa Ganzi’s Grand Champions organization with its 2022 World Polo League season set to be bigger than ever. Additionally, after a three-year absence, Roldan will be back playing in the U.S. Open at IPC.

He is a man comfortable in his skin and at peace with dancing to his own beat. Rather than working with big fashionable organizations, he prefers to work with local charities that he is genuinely passionate about, particularly helping kids. Locally, he works with the Kids Cancer Foundation and the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club. Each year, he takes part in the Kids Cancer Foundation’s 5K run. In normal times, the foundation hosts monthly Parents Night Out evenings, and on occasion, Roldan has been known to visit in full black tie prior to going on to a glitzy social event, making sure to see the kids first. He’s also not scared of having little girls bedazzle his nails and still have it on two days later!

Roldan is fervently passionate about his sport. True to his millennial status, he has his finger on the pulse, wanting to promote the equestrian lifestyle. Not only to more brands, but to a wider audience. Roldan feels it’s key for all disciplines to work together for the collective greater good of equestrianism and the horses in it. Wellington is the perfect spot to make this a reality. “Horses clearly are the common factor here,” he explained. “Although in polo, we deal in much larger numbers of horses, but that does not mean they are looked after any less.”

In Roldan’s case, his horses are part of the family. Not being in the business of selling horses, he will have them as his companions for many years. “The bond between horses and humans is something very special, and it’s great to be able to share that with more people,” he said.

His philosophy of going local shines through in other aspects of his ever-growing brand. He has formed allegiances with a number of local brands, such as Provident Jewelry. He has long been friends with Geoff Fear, owner of the Wellington boutique, and since the start of 2020, Roldan has had a formal partnership with them. Fear is an enthusiastic polo fan, and Roldan may be partial to a dapper timepiece or two. Add to that the fact that polo has a long heritage with watch brands, and it’s a no brainer.

Roldan also explained how fitness is such a vital part of his sport, and that he and his peers spend at least three mornings a week doing extreme workouts. As a man on a mission, he been made an ambassador for Technogym, gym equipment supplier to the latest Olympic games, which is developing an equestrian-specific curriculum. It makes total sense. If you can tone your muscles correctly, you can give better, more controlled signals to your horse, and thus perform better. Maintaining that intensity and longevity is a key for Roldan. He was also keen to add cryotherapy to his repertoire, and he is now working with Revive Wellington to spread the word. Roldan also works with Therabody, the leading percussive therapy device creator, and another key component to his daily routine.

Regarding other business ventures, Roldan enthuses about having formed R Polo Holdings a year ago. His company not only covers everything pertinent to his brand and polo, but a large section is real estate related. Not only has Roldan flipped six properties, but he has also built a high-end horse barn and is now endeavoring on his second elevated spec house, all right here in Wellington.

Each morning, Roldan scours the real estate listings and has an inbuilt radar, identifying each local property for sale and assessing its potential. The properties he has flipped were gutted and then transformed. With the spec house, his involvement is hands on and very visual, from the shape of the roof to the shade of the wooden floor, right through to the plates on the table. Roldan has a touch in all, and nothing has been left to chance.

In 2020, Roldan co-founded High Goal Luxury Gin, which is setting a new, ultra-premium standard for the market. High Goal is American gin reimagined, and Roldan sees it as a gin for everyone, including people who usually don’t drink gin. It’s based on Meyer lemon and mint, making it very smooth.

In October 2021, he launched “Roldan Lifestyle” with his first mini clothing collection. It blends timeless traditions with the modern age in the form of gorgeously soft hoodies and crew sweaters, t-shirts and kids clothing bearing iconic imagery. Again, Roldan’s details are evident throughout, from the design to the quality of the product.

Roldan encompasses all that’s best of Wellington and embraces Wellington at every opportunity he gets — clearly spreading a little Roldan magic wherever he goes and whoever he meets.

Visit www.nicroldan.com to learn more about Nic Roldan and his many ventures.

Top Polo Games Now Available On ESPN Networks
Global Polo Entertainment Signs Historic Deal With National Broadcaster To Carry Gauntlet Of Polo

Every January, the sport of polo returns to Wellington. While the traffic gets busier, the opportunities to enjoy a memorable Sunday polo game increase, too. It is said that the best seat in polo is in the saddle, but now there is a close second. For the first time in the history of the sport, ESPN will carry all of the top Gauntlet of Polo games on ESPN 2 and ESPN 3.

This landmark partnership between Global Polo Entertainment, a subsidiary of USPA Global Licensing, the official licensor for the global multi-billion-dollar apparel brand U.S. Polo Assn., offers fans the opportunity to view polo on mainstream platforms.

The partnership includes broadcasting all three of the coveted United States Polo Association tournaments live on ESPN 3, the top-rated U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship and the National Intercollegiate Championships all accessible through a Disney+ subscription or the ESPN app, and the finals of the most prestigious polo tournament in the United States, the U.S. Open Polo Championship, on ESPN 2. Check your local listings for times.

“The goal of this symbiotic and historic deal with ESPN is to reach more sports fans in the U.S. and attract new audiences by delivering more polo sport and lifestyle content in new ways,” said J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing. “We look forward to broadening access to the amazing sport of polo with some of the most exciting polo tournaments in the world now being broadcast by ESPN, the nation’s leader in sports content.”

The ESPN partnership allows Global Polo Entertainment to also deliver more polo, more often. Through its digital television network, Global Polo TV, the company will also script and produce made-for-television shows that will also air on-demand on ESPN and www.globalpolo.com. Each monthly show is created around the destination polo is traveling to and offers the viewers the ability to truly learn more about players, the horses and the unique stories in the game.

The full schedule of official USPA tournaments will be released through Global Polo TV and will include the top tournaments, women’s polo, college polo and international polo.

The governing body for the sport of polo is headquartered in Wellington and serves as the home for polo in the United States.

With more than 130 years of history, the association provides the rules and handicaps for the game. It has more than 5,000 playing and social members, many of whom call Wellington home. Playing members compete on a circuit around the world, and the Wellington season serves as the kickoff to the year.

In true fashion, Palm Beach County always has the best weather and the best activities for the families and players, and Global Polo Entertainment officials are excited to kick off the 2022 season on Sunday, Jan. 2 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The community is invited to join them in person, or watch on ESPN.

Check out Global Polo TV at www.globalpolo.com to learn more. Visit www.uspoloassnglobal.com to take home a piece of the sport.

50 Over 50: Unique Photography Project Celebrates Women 50 Years And Better

Photography Project Celebrates Women 50 Years And Better

“Beauty has no expiration date.” It’s a popular quote, but putting the idea into action took on a whole new meaning for longtime Wellington resident and professional photographer Dannielle Judd. “It was time to start a conversation about the beauty of aging and to embrace the confidence about being comfortable in our own skin,” she explained. And with that, 50 women joined Judd on an adventure to share the common bond of being over 50. This month, Wellington The Magazine joins them in celebrating the strength, wisdom and beauty of 50 Women Over 50.

Judd has been a professional photographer for the past five years, but she has always loved photography and knew it was her passion. Yet it wasn’t until she turned 48 that she began to look at it as her career. Although she had already taken thousands of photographs, and always had the urge to create, it took her time to make the leap.

Judd is not the first photographer to do a 50 Over 50 project, but when she saw the idea, she knew it was something she wanted to do. Being a woman over 50 herself, she knew there are so many stereotypes out there about aging. She wants people to know that many women are just finding their groove at age 50.

Judd wanted to showcase all different nationalities, personalities and professions in this unique photography project. So many women spend their lives as either a wife, mother or both, that they never really find their own identity. She took to social media about the project and asked those interested to complete a questionnaire.

“After speaking to them on the phone and explaining the entire process, we then would book their wardrobe consultation, where they come into my studio and get to use my ‘Dream Wardrobe Collection.’ It consists of more than 250 dresses and gowns, along with tons of accessories, all for my clients to use during their photo shoots,” Judd explained. “Then the super fun part — the photo shoot! We generally have the ladies wear anywhere from three to five outfits during their session.”

This experience was transformational for many of the participants. Many would come in with low expectations. But after their hair and makeup are done, their inner light shines through. “You can just see them oozing with confidence,” Judd said. “It truly is inspirational for me as a woman, and a photographer, to share this experience with them.”

Judd tries to share her own experiences with clients in hopes of them opening up and trusting the process. Many were just waiting for the opportunity to shine in their own way, to let the world know that today’s women aren’t slowing down just because they’re over 50.

The project took approximately 14 months from beginning to end, and the results are priceless. There was never a moment that Judd didn’t believe the project would work out. “These ladies fed my soul,” she said, adding that their stories of inspiration kept her going. “My confidence going in was a bit shaky, but each lady is so different from the next, that I quickly realized that creating customized sessions was going to be a no-brainer.”

The first woman photographed for the project was Amy. “She came in with the best energy,” Judd recalled. “A breast cancer survivor, her story is so moving. Her resilience is what captivated me.”

Fast forward to the last shoot, which was Clare. “She turned 60 this November and was hosting her own birthday bash and had some fantastic ideas she wanted specifically for her party,” Judd said. “I remember after photographing Clare, I sat in my studio and looked through all the images and was just blown away at the beauty, wisdom, creativity and uniqueness of every single woman who entered my studio.”

Now that the inaugural project is on the books, Judd is ready to do it all again. There will be another round of 50 Over 50 for 2022. “This was such an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to get started,” she said.

While some came in without a clue how they wanted to be photographed, others came in with big ideas.

“I love empowering women,” Judd said. “I think of these ladies as my friends now, and some even as sisters, we got that close. The relationships formed are truly priceless. I believe that we, as women, should support, uplift, embrace and root for each other. Together, we can do anything.”

As a woman over the age of 50 — soon to be 55 in January — Judd wanted to show that women are beautiful at every age. “Beauty has no expiration date,” she reiterated. “You deserve to be celebrated and honored.”

Danielle Judd unveiled the results of her year-long 50 Over 50 project with a celebration on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Live 360 Studio in the Mall at Wellington Green. Learn more about her upcoming project at

www.danniellejudd.com.

Wellington’s Own Ninja Warrior Jordan Fernandez Fulfills Her Dream By Appearing On Peacock’s ‘American Ninja Warrior Junior’

By Mike May

Sometimes, if you visualize your dream, it will materialize. Jordan Fernandez, a 14-year-old Wellington resident and current Wellington High School freshman, was seven years old when she first saw the show American Ninja Warrior on TV. It made a life-altering impact on her young life.

If you haven’t heard, Fernandez was recently a contestant on Peacock’s American Ninja Warrior Junior show. But while her debut on national television is a story unto itself, what’s noteworthy is the path she followed to get from South Florida to southern California.

“I was seven years old, and I was watching American Ninja Warrior for the first time on TV at my uncle’s house,” Fernandez recalled. “I liked it so much that I wanted to get on the show, but I was too young.”

Fast forward to age 12. She still had the American Ninja Warrior dream, but had done very little to pursue it because of her young age. That’s when American Ninja Warrior Junior started, and she was old enough to appear on this version of the show.

However, Fernandez realized that she was not yet strong enough to compete among the show’s contestants. So, Fernandez started working out at her home in Wellington, mostly in the backyard. Her goal was to get fitter, stronger and ready to compete.

“I had to start working on my upper body strength, lower body strength and my balance,” Fernandez said. “In the beginning, I worked on pull-up bars, rings and monkey bars — all in the backyard.”

It didn’t take long for her family to realize that she was serious about pursuing a spot on American Ninja Warrior Junior, so they built an indoor obstacle course within the family’s garage. That gave Fernandez 24/7/365 access to a workout facility. The goal was to re-create a scenario that was somewhat similar to the obstacle course, without the water hazard, used on American Ninja Warrior Junior.

In early May of this year, Fernandez was notified that casting was open for this year’s season of American Ninja Warrior Junior. She applied immediately. It was the chance she had been waiting and working for since she was seven years old.

“At the beginning, I had to complete a number of forms for the producers to let them know I was serious about being on the show,” she said.

If the producers liked her application, they would ask for more information. And they did.

“For the second application, I had to record and send the producers a few videos with me on camera convincing them how serious I was about being a contestant on the show,” Fernandez explained.

If the producers remained convinced about her being a great candidate, then they would speak with her mother. And they did. “The third part of the application was when the producers spoke with my mom [Traciann] on the phone to confirm my interest and availability to be on the show,” Fernandez explained.

That conversation took place in late May with her mother confirming that her daughter’s interest was serious and sincere. Then it was time for Fernandez to start packing her bags for a trip to Hollywood.

On Monday, June 28, Fernandez traveled to Los Angeles to film season three, episode four of the American Ninja Warrior Junior show. She was joined on the trip by her mother, brother and sister. They were in LA for a week and stayed at a hotel downtown. It was an amazing experience.

“It was a crazy week,” Fernandez chuckled. “It was absolutely insane. It was so unreal. It was my first time under the lights.”

As much as Fernandez enjoyed the chance to compete as an athlete on national television, the best part of the trip was the time spent at the hotel with the other contestants.

The friendships began when they traveled in the bus from the airport to the hotel with the other competitors. It only got better from there.

“One of the best parts of the entire week was the time spent at the hotel with everybody on the show, eating together and swimming in the hotel pool,” Jordan said. “It was like being at summer camp. About 15 of us still stay in touch through a group chat.”

While in LA, they taped the show, which eventually debuted on Thursday, Sept. 23 and remains available to stream. Fernandez and her family watched the show from their home in Wellington.

“I would have done better had I been less nervous,” she admitted. “But I was pleased with how I performed.”

Fernandez’s performance entailed two attempts on the obstacle course, with each attempt lasting about 90 seconds.

The competition format remained virtually the same as it had been during the first two seasons. In all, 96 children, from all parts of the U.S., competed in three different age divisions — 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Each bracket featured 32 contestants mentored by two top American Ninja Warrior competitors, Najee Richardson and Jesse Labreck.

“Jesse went out of her way to provide coaching and encouragement, advice and guidance to me,” Fernandez said. “We also took some selfies.”

The episode includes a biographical sketch of Fernandez, including her desire to become a firefighter in honor of her late father, Lt. Alvis Fernandez, who served with Boynton Beach Fire Rescue.

When it came to the actual competition, two youngsters raced side-by-side on an obstacle course — ninja versus ninja.

Fernandez recalls the taping of the show with great clarity. It was a long and memorable day. Her wardrobe consisted of a gray tank top, black shorts, low-cut socks and sneakers.

“We woke up at 6 a.m., and we started work on the set at 9 a.m.,” she said. “We finished taping by 3 p.m.”

According to Jordan, the obstacle course tested her strength, balance, speed and flexibility. To get from the beginning to the end, it took about 90 seconds. The goal was to reach the buzzer at the end, without falling into the water hazard that lurked below.

“I competed twice, but didn’t reach the buzzer,” Fernandez said. “I was always one obstacle away.”

It was not easy, but Fernandez did her very best and was able to fulfill her dream.

She plans to continue being physically active at Wellington High School, playing soccer this winter and flag football next spring for the Wolverines. In soccer, Fernandez is a midfielder. In flag football, she’s a receiver. But, at home and in Hollywood, she’s a ninja, because that’s what she visualized, and it actually materialized.

Season 3 of American Ninja Warrior Junior is currently streaming on Peacock, available through many streaming platforms and apps, and at www.peacocktv.com.

Professional Leadership For Your Hometown Village Manager Jim Barnes Is Wrapping Up His First Year As Wellington’s Top Official

By Deborah Welky

The Village of Wellington began its 25th anniversary year with a new village manager, Jim Barnes, who is now celebrating his first anniversary as the village’s top official.

Since incorporation in 1996, Wellington has had three permanent village managers. While the first, the late Charlie Lynn, was recruited from Kentucky shortly after the village’s incorporation, the other two have both been hired from within existing village leadership — Paul Schofield, who took over for Lynn in 2008, and Barnes, who most recently served as Schofield’s deputy village manager.

Barnes first arrived in Wellington in 2003, and he has served in a number of key village positions. “My professional career has been a series of opportunities found — a series of right times and right places,” Barnes explained.

Barnes, 55, was born in Manila, in the Philippines, and moved to Palm Beach County in 1977. He attended St. Vincent Ferrer School in Delray Beach and graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, receiving an associate’s degree from Palm Beach Junior College, now Palm Beach State College, and a bachelor’s degree in geography from Florida Atlantic University.

However, he has learned as much from life in the workforce as he did in the classroom.

“My first job was as a clerk at a Marshalls department store, well before ‘brand names for less’ [Marshalls’ slogan] was as cool as it is now,” Barnes recalled. “I learned that it’s best to get to work early, because if you’re early, you’re on time, and if you’re on time, you’re late. I also learned that no job is too menial, and, lastly, that ‘love at first sight’ does exist.”

It was while working at Marshalls that Barnes met a girl named Kim, a Palm Beach County native. Though only 16 at the time, he knew she was “the one.”

“I knew right away that she was a catch,” Barnes said. “It took her four years to notice me, but that’s OK. I play the long game. The rest, as they say, is history — we just celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary.”

After graduating from FAU, Barnes went to work as a planner for Palm Beach County’s Planning, Zoning & Building Department. But he didn’t stay long.

“Within two years, I was lured to the private sector and worked for a multidisciplinary consulting firm on planning, environmental and land development projects,” Barnes said. “That afforded me the opportunity to work for local, state and federal agencies, as well as for private clients.”

But his time with Palm Beach County wasn’t quite finished.

“I eventually returned to work for Palm Beach County’s Facilities Development & Operations Department and, in 2003, started my career in Wellington as the assistant director of community services,” Barnes said. “What brought me to Wellington can be summed up in four words — Paul Schofield, Tom Wenham. Mr. Schofield presented me with an opportunity and, once I accepted, Mayor Tom Wenham reinforced why I made the right decision.”

Since then, Barnes has collected a number of post-degree credentials. He is a certified planner with an advanced specialty certification in environmental planning by the American Institute of Certified Planners, a certified parks and recreation professional by the National Recreation and Park Association, and a credentialed manager by the International City/County Management Association.

In 2005, two years after accepting his first job with the village, the Barnes family moved to Wellington.

“We were looking at locations, and it became increasingly clear that Wellington was a special place. Our children attended Wellington Elementary School, Wellington Landings Middle School and Wellington High School,” Barnes said. “They participated in co-curricular and extracurricular activities at school, as well as in community programs offered by the village. Now, having experienced it first-hand, I can say with conviction that Wellington is truly a great place for families. Notwithstanding its growth, it still remains a close-knit community.”

Today, with their family and their hometown firmly behind them, son Kyle, 24, is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, and daughter Devyn, 21, is a senior at the University of Central Florida.

Barnes himself has advanced as well. Since his initial hiring, he has held several leadership positions with the village — deputy director of environmental and engineering services, director of parks and recreation, deputy director of operations, director of operations, assistant village manager and deputy village manager.

“Then, I was fortunate enough to be selected by the council to succeed Paul Schofield as village manager,” Barnes said. “I am grateful to everyone along the way who afforded me the many opportunities from which I have benefited, and I am hopeful that I left every stop a little better than I found it.”

That goal — to leave things in an improved state — is just one of the many mantras Barnes lives by. To live with authenticity is another.

“It’s important to be yourself,” he said. “It’s important to be exactly who you are, not just a replica of someone else or a filtered-out version of who you think other people want you to be. As a child, you are who you are, and you don’t care. That’s important. Authenticity — the real you — is what builds connections and relationships. It’s also important to just be happy! As a child, you just default to ‘happy’ and, as an adult, you can and you should. Your mood is actually up to you. It is a choice you can make any time of any day in any situation. A smile is a powerful little movement. It relieves stress, reduces blood pressure and can change your mood.”

Barnes is very grateful for Wellington’s hardworking staff members, particularly after these difficult pandemic years.

“It’s great to work with a group of people who know their collective ‘why,’” Barnes said. “The last 19 months have been challenging, and they continued to deliver best-in-class services to our residents and customers. I thank them for their amazing energy and effort.”

He also had thanks for Wellington’s residents and many visitors.

“To the residents, I’d say that the leadership of Wellington wants to continue to create an environment in which both our residents and businesses can thrive,” Barnes said. “It takes all of us working together to make that happen. Together with you, I am happy to call Wellington home… To visitors, whether you are here for business or pleasure, we hope you were able to experience all our great hometown has to offer.”

Let The Games Begin An Inside View Of The Tokyo 2020 Olympics

By Annan Hepner

All eyes were on Tokyo last summer as the Olympic Games were held following an unprecedented one-year delay. It was a record-setting showing for the United States Equestrian Team and its amazing squad of riders and coaches, most with deep ties to the Wellington community. The dressage team of Adrienne Lyle riding Salvino, Steffen Peters aboard Suppenkasper and Sabine Schut-Kery with Sanceo rode to an incredible silver medal victory. Not to be outdone, the show jumping team of Laura Kraut with Baloutinue, Jessica Springsteen aboard Don Juan van de Donkhoeve and McLain Ward riding Contagious competed in a thrilling gold medal jump-off with the Swedish riders, taking silver by just the narrowest of margins. We are pleased to partner with Annan Hepner of the Phelps Media Group to bring our readers this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to cover equestrian events at an Olympic Games unlike any other.

All eyes were on Tokyo last summer as the Olympic Games were held following an unprecedented one-year delay. It was a record-setting showing for the United States Equestrian Team and its amazing squad of riders and coaches, most with deep ties to the Wellington community. The dressage team of Adrienne Lyle riding Salvino, Steffen Peters aboard Suppenkasper and Sabine Schut-Kery with Sanceo rode to an incredible silver medal victory. Not to be outdone, the show jumping team of Laura Kraut with Baloutinue, Jessica Springsteen aboard Don Juan van de Donkhoeve and McLain Ward riding Contagious competed in a thrilling gold medal jump-off with the Swedish riders, taking silver by just the narrowest of margins. We are pleased to partner with Annan Hepner of the Phelps Media Group to bring our readers this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to cover equestrian events at an Olympic Games unlike any other.

When my official press credential arrived in the mail in early June, it marked more than three years of applying and tediously filling out paperwork for a chance to venture to Tokyo. During a normal Olympic Games, the logistics are quite robust, but with the year-long postponement due to the pandemic, preparing for Tokyo 2020 (despite being held in 2021, this was the official name of the games) was a mountainous undertaking.

Japanese culture is renowned for its attention to detail, but the pandemic threw a major wrench into everything. The organizers jumped through new hoops every week to attempt to mitigate as much risk as possible while dramatic headlines caused a frenzy: Will the games be canceled? Should they be canceled? What about the 11,000 athletes who had trained their entire lives for this moment? It certainly was a chaotic runup to the Olympics, but as they say, “The show must go on.” And it certainly did, with impressive processing, tracking and maneuvering of the estimated 80,000 people who flew into Tokyo as participants.

There is still a contentious debate on whether the games were an overall success, but they were not the disaster that many anticipated.

Only 430 positive cases occurred throughout the games, and there were countless spectacular moments in sports with records smashed and inspirational performances wowing TV viewers. However, with travel into Japan banned other than for credentialed participants, and Japanese ticket holders refunded due to the state of emergency, the losses were significant. Postponing a year cost the organizing committee more than $2.8 billion, and the absence of spectators robbed the Japanese not only of tourism dollars, but the opportunity to showcase their culture.

Despite the controversies, my goal here is to shed a little light on what it was like covering the games as an equestrian photographer.

The Prep — While the pandemic logistics for athletes and coaches were primarily handled by their national governing body, members of the press were responsible for filing every additional piece of paperwork correctly, or risk not being granted entry. Pre-COVID-19, I was beyond thrilled for the chance to represent Phelps Media Group at the most prestigious sporting event in the world. It was a distinct accomplishment in my career, and as an avid traveler, I was unfazed at the thought of flying alone to the opposite side of the globe. Yet as the pandemic raged on, it became a marathon of solving one logistical nightmare after another.

Hotel and flight rebooking was the easiest part of the postponement. We waited until the spring to purchase new tickets when we were more confident that Tokyo 2020 was happening, whether the world was ready or not. Every day leading up to my flight, I received e-mails with additional obligations and forms I needed to submit. Since I was the only staff member representing my company in Tokyo, I was also responsible for training as a COVID-19 liaison officer, which was a mandatory assignment to comply with the restrictions. Hundred-page-long playbooks full of strict rules plagued my dreams.

Prior to taking off from Fort Lauderdale to Haneda International Airport, I had an overflowing folder with my official credential, passport, two negative COVID-19 PCR certificates, additional health insurance, a 14-day report of daily temperature monitoring, an immigration QR code and hard copies of all the required forms. The most nerve-wracking part of the preparation was waiting for the approval of my required 14-Day Activity Plan. It highlighted the few locations I was allowed to visit while in Tokyo. It was approved only hours before my flight.

A 20-Hour Journey — Fortunately, the trip itself to Tokyo went off without a hitch! I spent the journey organizing my Adobe Lightroom photography catalog, reading an entire book and attempting to get a bit of sleep. When I landed in Haneda, all credentialed passengers were escorted to a private section of the airport to begin the three-hour immigration process. Because my activity plan was approved in time, I was able to breeze through many steps of the check-in procedure. Other passengers were not as lucky.

From the moment I landed, the friendliness and hospitality of the Japanese staff was unprecedented. While the logistics were insane, their openness to everyone arriving made the experience pleasant. They ensured the health-monitoring app on my phone was set up correctly, an addition necessary to track everyone’s movements throughout the games. The hotel, sports venue and main press center were the only locations I was allowed to go, and face masks were required everywhere. The app would also alert you if you happened to come in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in order for you to go into isolation as a precaution. This was followed by a final COVID-19 test and an hour-long wait until my vial number was listed on the negative-results screen.

The next few steps were a bit of a blur as jet lag was setting in, but the volunteers ushered me into a taxi to deliver me to my hotel. It was about a 45-minute drive through the city to arrive in Shinjuku, a bustling Tokyo burrow. After a confusing check-in process with my lifesaving Google Translate, I toured what would be my abode for the next 20 days — a miniature room with an even tinier bathroom, featuring a breathtaking view, hot water and a functioning AC. What more could I need for the work trip of a lifetime?

Let The Games Begin — My first full day in Tokyo involved figuring out the complex bus shuttle system with precise timetables and touring the main press center. I picked up taxi vouchers, a camera rain guard from the Canon store and my photographer bib. What it lacked in fashion sense, it certainly made up for with the amount of useful pockets. I also was given 10 self-testing COVID-19 kits, as we had to submit saliva samples daily for the first three days, and then every four days following.

As I was only covering the equestrian disciplines, I familiarized myself with the stunning BajiKoen Equestrian Complex and the traditionally decorated stadium. Following the initial horse health inspection and schooling session, my work assignments kicked off full tilt.

My personal favorite, the dressage competition, was the first discipline to take to the arena, and despite the lack of spectators, the environment was electric. I witnessed some less-than-stellar performances, but I also was privileged to watch some of the most harmonious tests I’ve seen in my career. Fan-favorite riders including Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Charlotte Dujardin, Isabell Werth and Cathrine Dufour laid down beautiful rides, but as an American, witnessing Sabine Schut-Kery’s rides throughout the week on Sanceo was magical. It was her Olympic debut beside veterans Steffen Peters and Adrienne Lyle, and she wowed everyone with personal bests!

She said it best following the U.S. Dressage Team’s historic silver medal win. “I’m so proud of my horse, my team, my owners and the coaches,” Schut-Kery said. “This is my first Olympics, and it has been a really great experience. I’m still a little bit speechless. I am filled with joy and pride, but it’s such a team effort. To deliver for the whole team, not just the riders, but for my coaches and owners, that’s everything. It was a big relief and happiness.”

Once the dressage team and individual medals were awarded, three-day eventing athletes took to the ring. Covering the cross-country course alone in Tokyo was quite the experience — a 4 a.m. wake-up call to shuttle to the course, temperatures over 100 degrees and running around the vast course to get shots wiped me out. However, the photos offered stunning views of Tokyo Bay and the city’s skyline — and all the American riders crossed the finish line safely.

The four days of show jumping competition wrapped up my whirlwind trip, and the competition kept everyone on their toes. The Swedish team was foot perfect, with its riders not touching a single rail. Following the first round of the team final, they were propelled into an unprecedented gold medal jump-off with the U.S.

In the end, all three athletes from each country cleared the track, and just 1.3 seconds would separate the two nations, as Sweden clinched the gold medal while the U.S. brought home the silver. It was mind-blowing to be shooting the action live while colleagues back home were texting their excitement!

The youngest team rider, Jessica Springsteen, explained it best: “I thought all three of our horses jumped great, so I had really high hopes coming into the final, especially with Laura [Kraut] and McLain [Ward] on the team. It really gave me a lot of confidence and gave me the ability to have big dreams riding with them.”

Reflections Through My Lens — As the final medal ceremony faded into the Tokyo skyline, my eyes welled with tears as it hit me how fast the time flew by and how special the experience was. Though I was apprehensive about delivering high-quality coverage for our readers and clients back home, funny enough, the most difficult part of my routine was acquiring food. Since we were not allowed to go out to eat for the first 14 days, UberEats was the only reasonable source of food, but the app did not translate menus to English. It was a daily adventure ordering food and meeting the Japanese bike deliverers in the hotel lobby.

A few days before my flight home, I received the “all clear” message on my tracking app, granting me permission to move more freely around the city. Though I only had one day to explore between my coverage schedule, I took full advantage of the opportunity.

I spent the day with a photographer friend, hopping onto the metro, wandering the streets and fitting in as many historic stops as I could, including Asakusa Temple, the Imperial Palace and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

After boarding the plane home, I racked my brain thinking back on all the professional tricks of the trade I learned from photographers with decades of experience and how grateful I was for the opportunity to shoot alongside the best of the best. I was surprised by how the isolation of traveling and working alone affected me, but the journalists and photographers I befriended in Tokyo made it a rewarding experience.

What a privilege it was to photograph the games, and it is such an honor to hear from athletes who’ve seen my work thank me for immortalizing their experience. As anxiety-inducing as the lead up to Tokyo was, taking the leap to attend was well worth it. Here’s to seizing every opportunity and surviving to tell the tale!

International Polo Club Palm Beach’s 2022 Season Will Feature Thrilling Polo Action And Refined Hospitality

By Elaine Wessel

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is one of the top polo destinations in the world, and it is located right in the heart of Wellington’s horse country. Every winter from January through April, the venue hosts the world’s best high-goal teams and the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States.

World-renowned players and polo enthusiasts alike come to town each winter to enjoy their love of the sport at the largest and most spectator-friendly polo facility in the country. The 2022 high-goal polo season at IPC is right around the corner, opening in January and continuing until a thrilling finale in April.

IPC includes seven state-of-the-art tournament fields that can accommodate multiple games simultaneously, ensuring that the action continues from the first to the last game of the day.

The flagship events of the IPC polo season are undoubtedly the feature polo matches every Sunday afternoon from January through the end of April. The thrill of the game, paired with the elegance of the outfits and the wonderful hospitality offerings, combine for a uniquely memorable experience for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of the sport.

“We are proud to host some of the most exciting polo tournaments in the world at IPC. With so many competitive teams, the IPC polo season gives them an incentive to play at their best, which ultimately helps to provide the best experience possible to both casual and serious fans of the sport,” said Paul Regal, vice president of operations and catering services at IPC.

Members can take advantage of prime viewing of the matches from their assigned boxes, but non-members also have many options available to them, all close to the action. On the east side of the field, the Pavilion hosts a very popular ticketed champagne brunch on the covered patio. For those looking to customize their experience with their favorite food and drinks, tailgates are available alongside the edge of the field, and the casual fan is welcome to seats in the grandstands.

As if four months of polo is not enough, IPC will be extending its season with the IPC Spring Series, which is slated to run for four weeks into May and will feature amateur polo tournaments. The spring extension will be run by the on-site International Polo School, which allows fans of all ages and skill levels — even beginners — to learn the rules of the game and play on an experienced school horse with individual lessons and team practices. The school employs USPA-certified instructors to teach the basics of riding, stick-and-ball techniques, and the overall strategy of a four-on-four match.

“Many of our clients derive from a background in the hunter/jumper discipline or are completely new to the sport,” said Gates Gridley, head trainer at the International Polo School. “We are unique to other local polo clubs because we offer an opportunity for teams to practice as part of their participation in league tournaments. We pride ourselves in offering a fun, competitive and social environment for clients, and our field-side authentic Argentine asados can’t be beat.”

Another feather in IPC’s cap, the Florida Festivals & Events Association recently announced the winners of its annual SUNsational Awards, and IPC was honored with an award for the “Adaptation of an Event” category. A total of 170 events submitted materials for consideration, and out of all the entries in the category, IPC was awarded third place overall. The facility and its team were recognized for the extensive Reopening Guide that was produced and implemented to combat the risks of COVID-19 during the 2021 high-goal polo season.

“The 2021 preparation and execution of the polo season was undoubtedly the most challenging one we have faced, but I am so proud of our team for what they were able to accomplish in spite of many hardships and new situations. To receive official recognition for our efforts is quite an honor. Though IPC hopes there will not be a need to implement the full COVID-19 protocol for the 2022 season, the team is now well prepared to do so should it be prudent,” said Vaneli Bojkova, vice president of event operations at IPC.

While polo is the cornerstone of IPC, the facility also offers annual memberships for locals and seasonal memberships for those in town only for the winter in order to take advantage of its amenities that include a luxurious pool and spa area, dining options, tennis courts and more.

Events such as meetings, parties, weddings and other celebrations are hosted at IPC throughout the year, bolstered by the delicious and creative on-site catering.

The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For more info., including how to buy tickets, inquire about event space, become a member or schedule a polo lesson, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.