Arrival of Memo Gracida at Eldorado gives life to Sunday Polo
INDIO, CA (Feb. 25, 2007) – In that the scheduled final two games in the February 16 Goal league at Eldorado were nothing more than practice (Grant’s Farm Manor/Windsor Capital had already clinched the title), the “powers that be” decided that a fundraiser for Safe House of the Desert would be a much better game if it actually meant something. Because Memo Gracida was to be in town anyway and Jack Baillieu had bailed for Australia, phone calls were made and an agreement was reached putting the former 10 Goal star on the Sunday field to fill in for Dan Horn’s Palm Desert team. By definition, animation means to give life and Gracida most certainly did that. As has been mentioned on this website earlier, the game was simply the best of the year. An exhibition it was, but they played polo the way it is supposed to be played and the large crowd loved it.
The addition of the 16 time US Open champion put Horn and Co. up to 17 Goals therefore allowing Grant’s Farm/Windsor to add a goal as well. With Pat Nesbitt out with a knee injury, Jaun Jose Gonzalez mounted up and most certainly lived a dream. With pride eliminating any thoughts of exhibition, polo was indeed played and played well. In fact the only reminder that the contest was a practice, was the fact that overtime was not played and the game ended tied at 9. It was the first annual Spring-Time Classic and most were watching polo for the first time. Like a lot of things, if it’s good the first time, there will be a second time.