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POLO LEGEND

Memo Gracida

Memo Gracida Guillermo “Memo” Gracida, Jr., was born on July 25, 1956. Memo was born in Mexico City into the first family of Mexican polo. While his father’s generation cemented the Gracidas’ reputation on the polo fields of North America, it was Memo who took the success to the next level internationally. Riding by age two, and playing tournament polo by ten, Memo became a force to be reckoned with at a young age. By 1977, Memo had relocated to San Antonio, Texas, to play for Stephen M. Gose, sponsor of the powerful Retama polo team, where Memo won his first U.S. Open in 1977. It was this win that left Memo wanting more.

His international career includes several record-setting achievements. Most notably, Gracida holds the highest record of 16 U.S. Open Championship victories and the most consecutive years as a 10-goal professional polo player, 21-years. These many global major tournament wins led to Memo’s selection as Player of the Centennial Era in 1990 and his induction into the National Polo Hall of Fame in 1997; the first time an active player had ever been inducted.

While his competitive spirit and unmatched ability as a player is truly impressive, Memo’s passion to teach, educate, and coach current and future players is his true market niche. Memo continues to travel the world playing at a competitive level and providing his week-long clinics, known as La Herradura Classic. He and his wife, Meghan, currently reside in Santa Ynez, California, at their new property, La Herradura Polo & Equestrian Center, where they offer a full service polo program.

memo's legacy

For the future of polo to be preserved, we need to create venues where new blood can enter the sport the correct way, by learning in a safe environment and on nice, safe horses. We aim to create a love and passion for horses in the next generation. MEMO

A Look Back

1976

1977

won the Camacho Cup

First time Mexico beat USA, Memo’s first time playing in the US. Mexico has not lost the Camacho Cup since then.

1977

1977

1st U.S. Open Win

San Antonio, Texas

1982 -1983

1982-1983

Wins 4 matches

1982- won the Argentine Open
1982- won the US Open
1983- won the World Cup
1983- won the British Gold Cup

1986

1986

Wins Queens Cup
1990

1990

won Player of the Centennial Era

2001

2001

Kalimán Inducted into the Hall of Fame

Memo’s famous horse Kalimán was inducted into the Hall of Fame

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2004

2004

won his 16th US Open

The 100-year anniversary of the Open. The individual record holder with the most US Open Polo Championships is Memo with 16 total championships.

2017

2017

started La Herradura Polo Club

Santa Ynez, CA

2019

2019

Mr. Polo was inducted into the Hall of Fame

Santa Ynez, CA

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Born and raised on the Central Coast of California, Meghan Gracida has always nurtured her athleticism and competitive spirit.  As a collegiate athlete, Meghan’s perseverance, determination, and work ethic on the volleyball court would later translate into the accomplished polo player we know today.

Meghan was first introduced to the world of horses and the game of polo by her husband and polo legend, Memo Gracida in 2012.  With Memo’s incredible coaching and exceptional horses, Meghan quickly developed as a polo player and began playing competitively in November of 2017. Since then, she has competed and won multiple national and international tournaments in both women’s and mixed polo, most notably the 2018 USPA Champions Cup, the 2019 USPA Women’s Texas Open, and the 2020 USPA Women’s Pacific Coast Open, Copa Diamanté in Argentina. 

In 2022, after recovering from an 8-month health battle, Meghan returned to Argentina to play in the first ever women’s 40-goal Triple Crown. Alongside teammates Hazel Jackson, Milly Hine, and Clara Cassino, they made history, winning the first two legs of the series. 

Incredibly passionate for women’s polo, Meghan is currently the US Polo Association Women’s Committee Chair. She is devoted to promoting ladies’ polo and she works to provide women more and equal playing opportunities nationally, including running the Ladies’ Polo League every Friday at the couple’s polo facility, La Herradura Polo Club.

When not on the field, Meghan and Memo share their passion for polo at La Herradura, delivering a world class polo experience in the heart of Santa Ynez, California.

HER STORY

Meghan Gracida

La Herradura

OUR TEAM

Julio Gracida
Matt Thake
Michi Gracida
CARLITOS GRACIDA

LA HERRADURA POLO & EQUESTRIAN CENTER

3720 Baseline Ave Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 325-8420

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JULIO GRACIDA

Julio Gracida, son of Memo Gracida, is a professional polo player with a 3-goal handicap. A member of one of polo’s most renowned families, Julio began his professional career at just 11 years old. His early achievements include victories in some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, including the C.V. Whitney Cup, the Gold Cup, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2005, as well as the Pacific Coast Open in 2011. In 2014, he proudly represented Mexico in the FIP World Championship in China.

Throughout his career, Julio has continued to excel, winning numerous championships and earning multiple Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony awards at premier clubs such as Empire Polo Club, Santa Barbara Polo Club in California, Grand Champions Polo Club, Santa Clara Polo Club, and Hobe Sound Polo Club. He has also managed and played for El Huarache Polo Club in Mexico, further demonstrating his leadership both on and off the field.

Julio is currently an on-staff professional at La Herradura Polo Club, where he shares his expertise with members and guests. He is available for lessons, offering players of all levels the opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s most experienced and respected competitors. Julio brings a wealth of knowledge, horsemanship, and competitive spirit to every lesson, continuing the Gracida legacy with distinction.

MATT THAKE

La Herradura Polo Club is proud to welcome Matt Thake as our Barn Manager and Professional Polo Player. Originally from South Africa, Matt is a 24-year-old professional polo player with a 3-goal handicap. His polo career has taken him across the globe, with notable achievements including victories at the 2022 South African Open Championships, the Highveld Championships, and the SA Championships. In addition to his tournament success, Matt has also earned several Best Playing Pony awards, reflecting his deep commitment to horsemanship and the development of top polo ponies.

After spending the past two years playing and working in Houston, Texas, Matt joins La Herradura Polo Club with a wealth of experience both on the field and in the barn. His passion for polo, dedication to horse care, and enthusiasm for the sport make him a valuable addition to our team.

Outside of polo, Matt enjoys playing golf, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. He looks forward to bringing his energy and expertise to Santa Ynez and to a successful season

Michi Gracida

Michi Gracida, daughter of Memo, serves as the Director of Polo Operations at La Herradura Polo Club. As a vital member of the Gracida family legacy, Michi brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the role, ensuring the club maintains its reputation as a center for high-quality polo experiences. Michi oversees the coordination and management of all polo activities. Her deep understanding of the sport, combined with her exceptional organizational skills, allows her to create an environment where both seasoned professionals and aspiring players can thrive. Michi’s leadership extends beyond the field as she works closely with players, trainers, and staff to uphold the traditions and values of La Herradura Polo Club.  

CARLITOS GRACIDA

Born January 13, 1991, Carlos Jr. is the oldest son of the late Carlos Gracida, the most celebrated player in the history of the game. Growing up as a fourth-generation polo player and a predominant member of the Gracida polo dynasty, Carlos started his mastery of polo at five years old with his father, the best possible mentor, teaching him every step of the way. Holding a 4-goal handicap, Carlos has won back-to-back $100,000 World Cups; he won the US Open semifinal in 2014 with Valiente Polo Team and lost the semifinals of the US Open in 2006 with his father and Uncle Memo in overtime.

This year, Carlos and his wife, Ailsa, moved to Santa Ynez to be near family and La Herradura Polo Club, where he is a year-round professional and instructor. In addition to providing his knowledge for the sport as a trainer at La Herradura Polo Club, he is gearing up to compete in the Pacific Coast Open Championship (the oldest trophy in the USA, since 1908) with La Karina Polo Team.