WELLINGTON, Fla., November 25, 2024---In an emotionally-charged game, the memory of legendary Carlos Gracida lived on Saturday in the annual Legends Of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial.
By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira
Gracida II (Benji Daniels, Carlitos Gracida, Mariano Gracida, Juancito Bollini) edged Gracida I (Sugar Erskine, Enrique Bueno, Grant Ganzi, Julio Gracida), 7-6, in front of a good crowd at Grand Champions Polo Club.
Mariano Gracida, the youngest son of Carlos Gracida, swept the Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony honors.
China Clay, a 9-year-old bay mare, owned and bred by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.
It was a true family affair with several Gracida family members and friends playing and watching from the crowd including legendary Brit polo player Julian Hipwood, who played against Gracida in polo's heyday numerous times. It was a great time for family and friends to reminisce about Gracida while watching a competitive game of polo between two well-matched teams.
"It's always great to be out here," said Weston Gracida, sidelined from playing with a pulled hamstring. "Obviously, a huge thanks to Marc and Melissa Ganzi, who make this happen. Family and all these traditions of being on the field is really incredible. It's hard to beat."
Gracida II controlled most of the game. Benji Daniels had the hot mallet early in the game scoring three goals in the opening chukker for a 3-1 lead going into the second chukker.
The chemistry among the Gracida II teammates was evident as they continued to pull ahead 4-1 on Carlitos Gracida's coast-to-coast goal off a knock-in.
Gracida I started to close the gap at the end of the second chukker when Julio Gracida scored to trail 5-3 going into the half. After Sugar Erskine scored to trail, 5-4, Mariano Gracida connected with Daniels on a 140-yard pass for another goal and 6-4 lead.
With five minutes left in the fourth and final chukker, Erskine scored to trail 7-6. Then the Gracida II defense went to work shutting down any other offensive threats. Daniels stopped Erskine on a goal run to preserve the win.
Daniels had a game-high four goals for Gracida II. His teammates each had one goal. Julio Gracida led Gracida I with three goals. Erskine added two and Ganzi scored one on a penalty conversion.
Weston Gracida said the annual game always brings back great memories for him in polo.
"The biggest thing that I can remember, at least growing up, is that Memo and Carlos Gracida and my father Ruben all owned properties right here in Wellington," Gracida said. "So we grew up playing polo with other players like Nic Roldan, Kris Kampsen and Brandon Phillips at that high level.
"We got the experience to see how the game can evolve, change and bring in sponsors. I think it created a cool environment for polo to grow. Twenty five years ago here in Wellington there wasn't a lot, but there was a lot of good polo and Carlos was a part of that."
The Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial continues the Hall of Famer's legacy by honoring one of the sport's greats, who died tragically in February, 2014 at age 53. The Mexican-American polo player reached 10 goals at age 25. Born in Mexico City he was a member of the Gracida polo dynasty. He began playing when he was only five years old and started competing at age ten.
In 1994 Gracida won nearly every tournament in the game, including the Argentine Triple Crown of Hurlingham, Tortugas and Palermo. That same year, he also won the U.S. Open and the British Open Gold Cup, becoming the only player in history to win the Grand Slam of Polo, in 1987, a feat he replicated twice in 1988 and 1994. He became a U.S. citizens two months before his death.
The game benefitted The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the development, history and tradition of the sport of polo by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport.
Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 11 well-manicured world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita.
Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its' expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its' Polo On Demand program.
The Polo School is for all ages and ability levels and operates in Wellington year-round. The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. The Polo School operates year-round in Wellington. For more information on the club's leagues or Polo School contact Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.