Stick & Bell: Argentina polo legend Nacho Figueras and Duke ring the closing bell at the NYSE.

“It’s not everyday you see a horse on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.” With that opening line, CNBC anchors welcomed Argentina polo legend and Ralph Lauren ambassador Nacho Figueras to the NYSE to promote the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic (VCPC) on Governor’s Island in New York.

When asked to explain the equine intrusion, Moet Hennessy’s Mark Cornell quickly shifted the blame, “Very simple, the horse belongs to Nacho.” He described his collaborative efforts with Figueras as their way to “democratize polo.”

Events like the VCPC, London’s Polo in the Park and South Beach’s World Cup are introducing the sport to thousands of new fans and simultaneously raising money for worthy causes. While the CNBC talking heads posed puerile questions about modeling fees and Vanity Fair articles, the always refined Figueras emphasized the charitable aspect of the event and the pride he felt in being with Duke on the floor of the Exchange, a New York first.

While strictly business at the NYSE, Nacho opened up in an interview with Canada’s National Post. He credits Ralph Lauren with being a great mentor, but says his parents played an equally important role. “I think I was always interested in style growing up. My parents taught me to always be elegant.”

For more about Argentina luxury living and the polo lifestyle, visit our archives and download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.