Grand Champions Polo Club will host the fifth annual International Cup, pitting Uruguay vs. the United States, on Saturday, Nov. 26, along with the Carlos Gracida Memorial Legends of Polo game.
Uruguay borders Argentina and, like its neighbor, is also a hotbed for elite polo players. “They’re a huge polo community,” Grand Champions owner Melissa Ganzi said.
Uruguay is joining the list of countries that have been part of the International Cup at Grand Champions, including England, Chile, Mexico and South Africa.
“It has been fun,” Ganzi said. “I think it will be a nice surprise for people to see the players from Uruguay.”
With a strong representation of high-ranking players at Grand Champions this season, the game is sure to be exciting, Ganzi said.
Meeting players from other countries is always a great experience, she added, where participants can form relationships and foster bonds that can lead to future games.
Before the International Cup is a match near and dear to the Ganzi family, all of whom play polo. The Legends of Polo game was renamed to honor friend and polo legend Carlos Gracida, who died in February 2014 following a polo accident.
The Legends of Polo event, Ganzi said, was an important tournament to Gracida, who also competed in it. The original concept was to feature players who have made an impact in polo, particularly in American polo, since the day benefits the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, an educational foundation dedicated to preserving the history, tradition and appreciation of the sport, and those who have made outstanding contributions.
“It’s part of the tradition of our international match,” Ganzi said. “I think everyone looks forward to it. International polo was important to Carlos Gracida Sr. It’s a really special day, and we like to have the two things together in his memory.”
The tournament takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when people are pensive and reflective, during a special time that brings people together, Ganzi said.
“It’s still hard for the whole polo family to believe that Carlos is no longer with us. He went way too early. He was too young. It’s hard to believe another year has passed by, but it’s a wonderful way to recognize his contributions to polo, and particularly our club, and all that he did to help Grand Champions be successful with the International Cup and the Legends of Polo game,” Ganzi said.
The Legends of Polo game will be featuring Gracida family members, while Team USA will be featuring Grand Champions owner Marc Ganzi and 8-goaler Nic Roldan. Complete rosters will be released shortly.
Sponsors include Audi, Chukker.TV, the Museum of Polo, the Grand Champions Polo Club and Flexjet.
Gates open at 12:30 p.m. The Legends of Polo game begins at 1 p.m., followed by the International Cup at 3 p.m. General admission is $20 per person. Sponsorship packages are available for $1,500 and include a reserved table for eight in the VIP tent, corporate partner signage and parking. VIP Pavilion tickets are available for $200 per person. Grand Champions tailgate spots are $250. To purchase tickets and tailgates, call (561) 644-5050. For more information on sponsorships, call (561) 714-0887.
To learn more about the Grand Champions Polo Club, visit www.gcpolo.com.
ABOVE: Memo Gracida, Meghan Gracida, Julio Gracida, J.J. Celis, Carlos “Carlitos” Gracida Jr., Alejandro Gonzalez Gracida, Weston Gracida, Rubén Gracida and Mariano Gracida at last year’s Carlos Gracida Memorial Legends of Polo game.
