SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
    • Media Partners
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Friday, March 23 2012 / Published in Weekly Feature

Julio Gracida: Living His Legacy

The name “Gracida” is a revered and notable distinction within the sport of polo, with a long and illustrious history of international competitors and horsemen that have founded, invented and re-invented the game of polo since a 1946 US Open victory that remains the only recorded win by four brothers in the history of the sport.  The four Mexico City born Gracidas left an indelible mark and one which would continue to grow with multiple international tournament wins, 10 goal handicaps and a boastful resume of history making records that remain standing, even today.  While Guillermo “Memo” Gracida, Jr. may stand as the most famous in this family legacy, boasting 21 consecutive years at a 10 goal rating and a 1997 induction into the Polo Hall of Fame, in 2012 it is Memo’s son, Julio, who is capturing notable victories and adding further testament to the family dynasty as a continual force in the sport of polo.

“I want to keep getting better every year,” Julio says. “I want a chance to always compete for the U.S. Open title and I want a chance to add my own records to history” Photos courtesy of Gillian Johnston

It’s a Family Tradition

Intensely aware of expectation and performance, Julio says, “the legacy made my career choice easy.  Really, it was the easiest decision I’ve ever made [to become a professional polo player].  Polo is a unique sport because not just for us, but for a lot of people, it is family oriented.  It’s the only sport where I can play with my dad, uncle and cousins, all at the same time.  That, for me, is the best.”  At 25 years old, Julio already has a resume to be proud of, with notable wins alongside family ties, including the 2002 22-goal Iglehart Cup and the 2005 US Open.  The Iglehart Cup was won alongside his father and his US Open victory in 2005 added the third consecutive Gracida victory in the tournament, with Uncle Carlos winning in 2003 and father Memo winning in 2004.  “I don’t think I can ‘live up’ to our family legacy.  It’s impossible to try and replicate the accomplishments of my dad and uncle.  But what I want is just to make a name for myself and have my own legacy when it’s all done.”

A Star In His Own Right

2011 granted an opportunity for Julio to shine as a professional in his own right, playing alongside Adolfo Cambiaso and Jeff Blake on John Muse’s Lucchese team during Santa Barbara’s high goal summer season. Playing alongside arguably the world’s best, Julio and teammates took home the Pacific Coast Open trophy and secured the Gracida name on yet another major U.S. polo trophy.  That victory is counted among the favorites in Julio’s career, as he recalls, “it was the last tournament I had to win to have won all the major tournaments in the US.  It’s an amazing feeling to know that I’ve been lucky enough to play with some incredible people and win every major tournament in the United States.”  Indeed, his list of mentors and teammates looks more like a “who’s who” roster of polo superstars, including not only his Hall of Fame father and uncle, but also Adolfo Cambiaso, Mariano Aguirre, Pablo McDonough, Lucas Criado, Gonzalito Pieres and American polo icon, Mike Azzaro, along with polo patron George Rawlings, who gave Julio his first chance at playing professionally.  “I want to keep getting better every year,” Julio says.  “I want a chance to always compete for the U.S. Open title and I want a chance to add my own records to history.”

Working Toward the Future

Returning to his hometown of Wellington, Florida for the winter, Julio started off 2012 with an impressive showing in the 20 goal series at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the Valiente/Tonkawa team. With a record-breaking 17 teams entered in the series this year, the level of polo and horses has each professional striving to “step-up” their game and has pushed Julio to work diligently alongside professionals Nacho Novillo-Astrada (9 goals) and Toto Collardin (7 goals).  Crediting success to encompass the equine athletes beneath him, Julio says, “I have to say, my little grey Pimpinella has helped me from the very beginning of my polo career.  She was my favorite for a lot of reasons:  she was the first I bought on my own; but she also helped me get from 0 goals to a 5 goal rating.”  Grounded in an ancestry of horsemanship, he says that the horses are never far from his mind and an invaluable part of every game he plays.  Although he will not get a chance this year to compete for the coveted U.S. Open title, Julio will finish the winter season in Florida before heading to Houston, Texas for the spring and then California again in the summer.  “If you listen to some people,” he says with a grin, “the world is going to end in 2012.  So I guess I’m just looking to see how many wins I can add to my record until then.”

 -By Danika Rice

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

What you can read next

ACE Private Risk Services Honors Horses Lost In Blaze
Unbridled With Nona Garson
Chenoa McElvain: A Desert Bloom with Deep Roots

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
⭐️ Rutledge Farm Sessions ⭐️ Aleco Bravo- ⭐️ Rutledge Farm Sessions ⭐️ Aleco Bravo-Greenberg of Rutledge Farm has shared with Sidelines his series of interviews with various clinicians that have stopped by! Catch up with Sandy Ferrell at the link in our bio 👉 What's Happenin' blog! #equestrian #clinician #horselover #horsetrainer #southcarolina #florida #equestrianlife #farmlife #horsesofinstagram #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
Calling all eventing fans 🤩 Are you excited fo Calling all eventing fans 🤩 Are you excited for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event? 🐴 You won't want to miss the May issue of Sidelines Magazine! It'll be filled cover to cover with your favorite top eventers, meet fresh faces and catch up on everything eventing 📰 SUBSCRIBE NOW to get the May issue delivered to your mail box 📬 Get 12 months of magazines PLUS access to our free digital app to read Sidelines everywhere you go for just $9.95 😱 Don't wait- you must subscribe before March 28th to get the May issue filled with all the latest eventing news! Link in bio to subscribe! #horses #magazine #eventing #lrk3de #hunterjumper #dressage #showjumping #eventer #crosscountry #xc #kentucky #rolex #rolexarena #kyhorsepark #sidelinesmagazine
A single interaction with a horse can change a lif A single interaction with a horse can change a life; being involved with horses can shape a life. That’s exactly why Ellen Healey founded the Gleneayre Equestrian Program. Since its beginning in 1998, the Gleneayre Equestrian Program (GEP) has proven over and over again that being involved with horses builds better lives. From the working student program to equine-assisted learning and equine-facilitated mental health, GEP is empowering individuals. Read more about the @gleneayreequestrianprogram at the link in our bio! #horseshows #helpothers #equestrianlife #horselover #charity #workingstudent #equine #equinephotography #mentalhealth #equineassistedtherapy #sidelinesmagazine
If you asked Daniel and Cathy Geitner, ‘Were you If you asked Daniel and Cathy Geitner, ‘Were you raised in a barn?’ They both would proudly answer, ‘Yes!’ Not only were they raised there, they have chosen to raise their two children, Wyatt, 15, and Lilly, 13, in the environment they know best, at their DFG Stables in Aiken, South Carolina. Home to nearly 70 horses in training, DFG stables is one of the most successful hunter-jumper businesses in the Southeast. From pigtails on ponies to incredible jumping in International Hunter Derbies to galloping to the win in Grand Prix, DFG Stables does it all. Read more about the Geitner family at the link in our bio! #family #farmlife #stable #showhorses #aiken #southcarolina #horselovers #equestrian #equinephotography #equestrianlife #equestrianstyle #sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Redfield Show Tack
    “Everything Equestrian” All of the top brands for horse and rider. 732-798-2277 info@redfieldshowtack.com redfieldshowtack.com Redfield Tack Store
    Redfield Show Tack

    [Read more]

  • LAURALYN LANE, REALTOR
    407-765-1418 CentralFloridaEquestrianMarket.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Rutledge Farm Sessions: Sandy Ferrell 2020
  • A Day in the Life of a Working Student: Meet MacKenna Moss
  • Saying Yes to the Vest – How My Quest for Safety Launched A Company

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Muzzy Family/MZ Farms Establish $100,000 National Finals Travel Grant for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association
  • A Masterclass in Kentucky Three-Day Event History from Jane Atkinson
  • From Ponies to Palm Trees, Grand Prix Horses and Grass Fields, We’ve Got it All – #ThePlaceToJump!

Category

Recent Posts

  • Gleneayre Equestrian Program: A Continuous Circle of Improving Lives

    By Britney Grover A single interaction with a h...
  • Daniel and Cathy Geitner: Building a Business and a Family

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Shawna Simmons I...
  • Chloe Smyth: Eventing With Hounds, Horses and Heart

    By Tafra Donberger Portraits by Kristin Lee Aft...
  • The Amayas: Forging a Family at Stonehenge Stables 

    By Emily Randolph  In 2006, Victor Amaya was at...
  • Marie Gray’s Bright & Bold Equine Masterpieces 

    By Shya Beth  Marie Gray’s paintings draw you i...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!