WELLINGTON, Nov. 5, 2024---A star-studded lineup will compete in the Nov. 23 Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup featuring GCPC USA playing the Rest of the World.
By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira
The rosters have been announced for the annual games which have become one of the marquis events highlighting the final weekend of fall polo at Grand Champions Polo Club.
GCPC USA will play Rest of the World on the 13th anniversary of the coveted International Cup, the only major international men's game in Wellington.
GCPC USA features Grant Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Carlitos Gracida and Nic Roldan.
The Rest of the World lineup is Julio Gracida of Mexico, Pierre Henri Ngoumou of France, Tomacho Pieres of Argentina and Sugar Erskine of South Africa.
GCPC USA was upset last year by Spain, snapping its 11-year win streak.
Since 2012 in front of sellout crowds and worldwide CTV Sports audience, GCPC USA has beaten England, Chile, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Azerbaijan, France, Argentina twice and Switzerland in the annual battle.
The Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial continues to honor the Hall of Famer's legacy, one of the sport's greats, who died tragically in February, 2014 at age 53. He reached 10 goals in 1985, a handicap he maintained for 15 years, and won every major tournament including nine U.S. Opens and five Argentine Opens.
The Gracida I vs. Gracida II game will definitely be a family affair. Playing for the Gracida I team will be Weston Gracida, Julio Gracida, Grant Ganzi and Sugar Erskine.
Gracida II will feature two sets of brothers, Carlitos and Mariano Gracida and Santos and Juancito Bollini.
"As time goes on you definitely appreciate it more and everyone that comes out to support it," Carlitos Gracida said after the game. "No one will forget my dad. It's nice the polo brings us all together."
Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports) will stream the doubleheader. Grand Champions is the only USPA club that live streams all its games.
Now in its 11th year supporting the international event, Tito's is a VIP sponsor. The handmade vodka works with events like this to "turn spirits into love and goodness."
Award-winning and world-renowned Ken-Rose Catering will serve as the official caterer for VIPs, special guests and players. The menu's theme will center around an assortment of food and wines from the five countries where the participating players are from.
The event benefits The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the development, history and tradition of the sport of polo by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport.