Immersed in the sport from day one, Erica personifies polo and is considerably one of its most passionate ambassadors. Arguably the leading female polo player of her generation, she started riding horses at age 2, playing polo at 8 and competing in USPA tournaments at the age of 10.

Erica’s parents, John and Chris Gandomcar, founded Cottonwood Riding Club, Home Of The Denver Polo Club in 1982. They raised her in the sport and immersed her in the lifestyle, and business of polo. Erica embraces their family history and legacy with pride while traveling the world and competing professionally.

A master of multitasking, Erica promotes polo as both a player and a owner/manager of the Cottonwood Riding Club Home of The Denver Polo Club, which has become legendary within equestrian industry and the Rocky Mountain region. Erica and her sister, Tara, now continue the legacy her parents started. They oversee over 400 horses, several hundred members from various disciplines, ride, train, sell, and buy horses. The also host several events at their two locations some events within the equestrian community and some private event. The two sisters are revolutionizing the equestrian world with the attitude of inclusivity not exclusivity. The have created an unstoppable team of trainers, managers, grooms, administrators, and professionals. The family has never believed in job titles but rather working as a team with no man left behind.

Their legacy project has started to come to life. The saying coined by her mom, Chris, “Of Horse You Can” is now their business name and moto. Together, the two sisters are building an inclusive, multigenerational, equestrian community to encourage the surrounding communities to fall in love with horses and this agricultural lifestyle.

Erica studied and played intercollegiate polo at Colorado State University (CSU), earning Regional All-Star and All-American status each of the four years she played for the team. In her first year with the team, CSU won the Regional Championship and placed second in the National Championship, continuing to win each year. She has won many top tournaments, several MVP’s and BPP’s. Erica just recently represented Team USA in the 1^st Women’s World Cup. Her and team came home with the silver but in her words, “It was a win for the greater good of women’s polo around the globe.”

One of her horses became a top polo pony in Argentina and has been cloned several times. She just recently won USPA Women of The Year for all her efforts within polo and more specifically women’s polo. Erica has been a USPA Circuit Governor since 2014, sits on many committees, started three charitable foundations, and continues to be an incredible wife, mother, and horse trainer.

Her vision for the future of polo is grand but her demeanor is humble. You might find her flagging, grooming, playing teaching or sipping tea with royals but she is true to her word, honest, kind, smart and loyal. She continues to bring her passion of, horses and polo to everyone. She is excited to continue to serve on the Board of the USPA and help promote the sport and the equestrian lifestyle.