————— Staff

Julian began riding during summer camp in his homeland of Guatemala at 8 years old. It wasn’t long after his family moved to Philadelphia that he joined a program called Work to Ride at age 11. Being a nonprofit barn in the middle of Fairmount Park Philly, Julian was able to learn not only riding, but every aspect of horsemanship. Having done many equine sports like show jumping and racing, he, alongside all of his barn friends, would settle for polo. He went on to play interscholastic polo for his last year of middle school, and all throughout high school. After graduating in 2019, he took time to intern at Yale Polo and Equestrian Center, where he has continued to grow as a horseman and player for the last three years. Julian will be pursuing his degree at Gateway Community College starting this September.

Niki has always been a horse lover and started riding at 8 years old, spending countless hours at the barn. She has volunteered, taught lessons, run camps, etc. since age 14. She graduated with a B.S. in Equine Business Management from Post University. Upon graduating, she and her business partner opened Red Skye where they offered riding lessons as well as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.  In 2018, Niki took over the business, and built the lesson program into what it is today.  When not involved with horses, her other passion is dog agility with her two dogs Emma and Sadie. 

Liz is a Yale College alumna (SY 1984) and received her MBA from Columbia Business School. She works as an independent consultant (2003-2013) after having worked for Deloitte Consulting for 10 years (1993-2003). She is married, with one horse and two cats.

Liz’s polo experience includes:

• Undergraduate Manager — Yale Polo program, 1981-1984

• Coach — Garrison Forest Polo, 1984-1985

• Interscholastic Instructor — Yale Polo, 2003-2013

• Beginner Lesson Instructor — Yale Polo, 2009-2013

• Alumni Adviser/Manager — Yale Polo, 2009-2013

• USPA Rated Player (0-goal — Outdoor, 1-goal — Arena)

• Certified Umpire

Jim is a UConn alumnus and received his MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He serves a the Chief Financial and Operating Officer for  Verus Financial LLC.  He is married to Julie, with two children, Sophia and Phillip.

Jim’s polo experience includes:

• Coach — Yale Intercollegiate Team, 12 years

• Nationally Rater Player (2-goal — Outdoor, 5-goal — Arena)

• “A” Rated Nationally Certified Indoor Polo Umpire

• “BB” Nationally Certified Outdoor Polo Umpire

Taylor has been involved with the program since 2003 when she began taking polo lessons with Liz. She played as part of the Yale Girls' Interscholastic Team from 2004-2008 and worked at the Armory through its closure in 2009. Taylor graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2012 and now works as an accountant. She volunteers with the program and is also a certified umpire. Taylor officiates the majority of our intercollegiate and interscholastic games.