The Equestrian Life-style: Nacho Figueras and a Life Lived with Horses

By Lindsay Brock

For a lot of, the equestrian way of life is a nomadic one the place it’s tough to set roots. One the place “dwelling” is a fleeting idea. For Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, nevertheless, horses are dwelling. They’ve introduced him love, ardour, success, and extra.

Rising up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Figueras first grasped a polo mallet at eight years previous and was rapidly swept away by the cultural appreciation for polo. “The game of kings” grew to become Figueras’ occupation when he was 17.

Since that unknowingly fateful second at eight years previous, Figueras has traveled the world, change into the face of world powerhouse manufacturers, together with Ralph Lauren Black Label, and made a reputation for himself as a polo celebrity. Polo was additionally the matchmaker that led Figueras to satisfy his associate of 25 years; mannequin, photographer, and fellow rider Delfina Blaquier. They met at a polo match in 1997 and now have 4 youngsters collectively.

When requested concerning the affect horses have had on his life and work, Figueras responded with the adage, “the skin of a horse is sweet for the within of a person.”

Figueras’ appreciation for the animals that give their all to sport has impressed him to share the gorgeous relationship between man and horse with the plenty. He champions a horse’s capacity to heal people via his assist of the group Work to Experience, a prevention program that offers under-resourced Philadelphia youth a singular alternative to work together with horses and take part in equestrian sports activities.

“The ability of horses and polo is a ravishing factor,” Figueras mentioned of this system. “That program is a pricey a part of my life.”

This previous spring, Figueras as soon as once more devoted each his ardour and mallet to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Basic, which returned to Liberty State Park in Jersey Metropolis, NJ. After a four-year hiatus, the occasion was again in a metropolis Figueras admits he loves. “I believe there’s no higher backdrop for a polo area on the earth than this one,” he mentioned.

Polo brings Figueras to Wellington, FL throughout the winter months the place he and his household have cemented their place within the ample equestrian scene. Figueras’ oldest son Hilario performs polo professionally alongside his father, whereas his youthful son Artemio has adopted swimsuit at 13 years previous. Blaquier and Figueras’ youngest daughter Alba might be noticed within the pony hunter rings at Wellington Worldwide, whereas their oldest daughter, Aurora, research industrial design in Buenos Aires.

Within the final 12 months, Figueras bought and meticulously redesigned a Wellington dwelling. The house has change into a retreat that was the lacking piece to his household’s time spent in Florida. Featured earlier this 12 months in Architectural Digest, the house blends inspiration from household, journey and—in fact—horses.

Figueras’ resurrection of the Florida dwelling was not his first toe dip within the pond of architectural design. He based Figueras Design Group (FDG) in 2013, a improvement firm shaped with the Buenos Aires–based mostly structure agency Estudio Ramos, that focuses on equestrian communities in Argentina and past.

One such challenge, The Polo House by Nacho Figueras, is positioned at Fasano Las Piedras which sits inside a nature protect within the La Barra area of Punta del Este, Uruguay. The Erin Boisson Aries Team at Douglas Elliman is dealing with gross sales of the residences which overlook a polo area designed by Figueras himself, in addition to an 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course. Signature floor-to-ceiling glass permits for expansive views from every house, and a step outdoors affords entry to personal seashores, gardens, swimming swimming pools, and tennis courts.

Figueras admits that if he didn’t sit atop the again of horses for a residing, architectural design is probably going the place his skilled efforts could be targeted in the present day. A stroll via any of his properties feels extra just like the tour of an artwork gallery or architectural museum than a residence, however as quickly as Figueras’ household steps foot inside it’s clear that these locations are dwelling.