The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
I first saw Carlos Gracida in 1978 at the old Boca Raton fields. It may have been on Glades Rd. the first time Memo came there or it may have been the next year, in 1979, when Memo was playing with Steve Gose’s Retama Team. Carlos must have been 16 or 17, spoke little English and rode horses all day. He must have weighed about 110 lbs at that time. Carlos was quiet at that time, and never said a word. Two years later he was on the Retama team and the rest was history. Carlos flew up the rankings and was 10-goals by 1985, just a couple years behind Memo, his Famous brother.
This is why I wrote this story. During my Polo career there have been some great polo players made and I’ve had the honor to work with many of them. To name a few … Gonzalo Pieres, Memo Gracida, Adolfo Cambiaso
the Merlos, Astradas, Azzaro, Wayman, Rinehart and Trotz. At this time Cambiaso is still going A+ as he was the youngest, but as great as these players are and were, none of them held the records that Carlos held. Yet, somehow, he was never a household name in the polo community like his brother Memo, Gonzalo or Cambiaso. Maybe in the UK where he was by far the most successful 10-goaler ever along with David Jamison in the Gold Cup (British Open). I think there are about 10 Cups that he won during his career as a professional polo there. There were 5 or so Argentine Opens and add on about 10 US Open wins.
Carlos was not flashy, but not at all dull, just quick as hell and a deadly aim on goal. I know he was a great Captain on and off the field as I have coached with him a time or two. He was always ready to change or work to improve a team and always ready to push a Sponsor to improve and be a big part of team. Carlos was also an amazing rider. I once heard someone say he is playing that horse in a wire gag and an old timer said yes, but if you had hands like his you could too, but you do not, so don’t try it. I always remembered that. I have always known the # 1 position is easily the hardest place to play on a polo team. You are usually either a hero or a goat as the way it works out your chances are often few and quick to happen. As usual Carlos was able to move to #1 and I believe became the first Player to go to 10-goals in Argentina at that position since Mr. Heguy 20 years before. This was while playing with the Pieres Brothers Gonzalo and Alfonso and Ernesto Trotz as they ruled for awhile down there.
Carlos will always be a Legend in my mind in Polo, but he was most of all just a nice guy to talk to, to work with and to have at any club. Carlos has a great family. is boys should be proud. Carlos jr and Mariano as well as their lovely Mother Carmen . I do feel sad for them and wish them the best.
So Long Carlos and thanks for all you did while you were here.
see ya