A TRIBUTE TO THE MEXICAN MAESTRO
((CARLOS GRACIDA ))
by Steve Crowder
Today, March 10,2014, we attended a Memorial for Carlos at the Sycamore Ranch sponsored by Tom Barrack. The Memorial was totally Tom Barrack-style, which is first class. I would like to thank him for such an awesome event and a true tribute to a good friend and man we all knew. Carlos was a really good person everyday and in most every way. Today, in one of the speeches, I think by Carlos’s son Carlos, he said he just wanted recognition. In the last two memorials in FL and here I think it showed he had it. WOW. To me Carlos never looked for the lime light, we always knew who he was … a Superstar. He was seldom the glamour of Memo, Gonzalo and Adolfo, but in so many lines he was better than them all in terms of his records of success on the field.
Live fast, die young and leave a beautiful memory would probably be the best way to describe the real life of Carlos. He was always a Polo Player and a Gentleman. He was also a very nice person to be around. Carlos was a very solid Father and a leader on and off of the field. As the voice of polo, Terry Hanlin used to call him on the greens of Cowdray “The Mexican Maestro.” Which means “The Teacher from Mexico.” What was so unusual about Carlos than other big time Pros was his ability to win so many Championships with 2 Patrons on his team. Carlos got the best out of his teammates by using them and adapting his play to make there’s excel. It was his gift and it is was not the normal in polo. He would do this in the biggest Cups in the world including the British Gold Cup. Over ½ of his 10 Cups were with 2 Patrons on the team. In the U.S. he also won the Open with the Busch Boys Billy and Andy. These were in the biggest Cups on the Planet that he won with amateurs involved. He also won with all high-goal players. Carlos won the Argentine Open 4 or 5 times and once even the Triple Crown. Also on a couple of occasions he held the Argentine Open, the British and U.S. Open all at once. There was no doubt that Carlos was one of the best, just not one that was big in glamour. He was like Johnny Bench, always on top. Carlos will always be a member of these great teams through history. As we heard often today at the Memorial … he was well liked and everyone agreed he was a superstar on and off the field in so many ways. The biggest thing was he was the “Maestro” and he taught young people including his sons, his Patrons, his friends and anyone involved in polo, how to improve in life and the game we play.
THIS IS WHY HE WAS THE MEXICAN MAESTRO
Some quotes about Carlos Gracida from some past patrons:
Anthony Embricos 5 British Gold Cups: Anthony poignantly said “I would like to remember a professional who was in the yard early every morning; a player whose speed and anticipation were legendary; a team leader whose belief that we would win even against much stronger teams was contagious.”
David Jamieson said “Internationally recognized as one of the most elegant players, he was admired by all as a great striker of the ball with an ability to hit the ball just the right distance. His horsemanship was legendary and his partnership with Chesney during his time with Tramontana will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to be involved during those years. On the field of play he was a great sportsman who loved the game and was always gracious in victory or defeat.”