30 SIDELINESMAY 2014
FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
Carlos, right, and his brotherMemo
Gracida.
Photo byAlexPacheco
Carlos andhis sons, Mariano, left, and
Carlos, Jr., whoareboth professional
polo players.
PhotobyAlexPacheco
could play anywhere, with anyone,” he said. “He was extremely
approachable, always had a smile on his face. He always had
time for you, whoever youwere.”
For Sunny Hale, the most famous female polo player in the
world and the first woman to ride on a winning team in the U.S.
Open Polo Championship, the word that epitomizes Carlos is
inspiration. “I believe inspiration isoneof thegreatest giftsanyone
cangiveand receive,”Sunnysaid. “Inspiration formecomes from
great people in history, no matter what they achieved…it’s the
exceptional ones that take a stance to be what they are and to
give themselves to what drives them nomatter what their talent.
This is what changes the way we think and the way we live our
lives.
“What inspiredmewas something I could feel frommy earliest
childhood memories.” Sunny added,“ – this burning desire and
dream that I shared with no one. I wanted to play polo with the
best polo players in the world, with no special circumstances,
but because they askedme to be there. CarlosGracida gaveme
one of my first invitations to live my dream in 26-goal polo and
something to aspire to in theway he played. I’m truly thankful for
these gifts hegave tomewithout even knowing it.”
Samantha Charles, polo player and publisher of
Sidelines
Magazine, received a gift fromCarlos that took her breath away.
PoloDynasty: Carlos, center, surrounded by his family during his induction into the
Museum of Polo andHall of Fame.
PhotobyAlexPacheco
Carlos, with JohnWalsh, was inducted
into theMuseumof Polo andHall of Fame
in2012.
Photo byAlexPacheco
CARLOSGRACIDA
Carlos reached a 10-goal handicap
in 1985. Over his illustrious career, he
amassed an incredible international record,
winning tournaments inEngland, France,
Mexico andArgentina. Carlos is the only
player in history towin, in the same year,
theAmerican, Argentine andBritishOpen
Championships. Major tournament wins in
theUnitedStates include:
theU.SOpen
PoloChampionship in 1982, ‘84, ‘85, ’87,
’88, ’91, ’92, ’94, and2003; theUSPAC.
V.Whitney in 1997, 2001, and ‘04; the
USPAGoldCup in 1980; theUSPASilver
Cup in 1980 and 81; the 1998USPAMonty
WaterburyCup and; and, theWorld, North
American, Chairman’s, Inter-Circuit and
Barrantes, and theRolexCups. Carloswas
awarded theSeymour KnoxAward forMVP
of theU.S. Open in 1985, ’88, ’91, ’92, and
1994. His poniesCalasa, Oca andQue
Lindawere awarded theHartmanTrophy.
Plaque at theMuseum of Polo andHall of Fame
“One day I was playing practice chukkers at Ruben Gracida’s
[Carlos’ cousin], andCarlos sawme getting bucked off of a really
pretty littleblackmare,” she recalled. “He rodeover andaskedme
why I was riding suchahorse. I didn’t want to say it was because
itwasall I couldafford, so I gavehimsome lameexcuseabout the
horse being in training.
“A couple days later his secretary calledme and askedwhen I
couldpick upMonica. I was shocked to findout that hehadgiven
me one of his top ponies who could no longer play high-goal.
She looked exactly like the one that had bucked me off, except
thismarewas awesome to play. Carlos asked nothing in return –
that’s how kind hewas.”
If there can be any consolation in the loss of such a man, it
comes in Sunny’s words at a memorial service: “I can only say
one thing, and that is that he passed from this world doing what
he truly loved.”
Godspeed to one of a kind.
About the writer: Darlene Ricker, CEO and Editorial Director of Equestrian
Authors, LLC (equestrianauthors.com), coveredpolo formany years as a staff writer
for theBostonGlobeand theLosAngelesTimes. Shemet CarlosGracidaononeof
her early assignments and remembers himas “thepersonwho turnedmeon topolo
and taught me what having passion – and compassion – for horses and humanity
is all about.”
