Grand Champions Polo Club fall high-goal polo fun continues with the United States Polo Association’s International Cup Tournament on Saturday, November 28. Since Grand Champions began hosting the international tournament in 2012, the United States has dominated, dispatching the best from Mexico (2014), Chile (2013), and England (2012). This year, the best of South Africa will attempt to uproot the trophy, ending the U.S.’s rein with a stout four led by Tom de Bruin (7), Gareth Evans (6), Chris MacKenzie (6), and Selby Williamson (5) to represent the Rainbow Nation. Taking the pitch for Team USA, with a combined 24 handicap, will be Marc Ganzi (1), Jeff Hall (7), and two 8-goalers, Julio Arellano and Nic Roldan, consequently the United State’s highest rated players. Prior to the USPA International Cup, a friendly polo match dedicated to the late polo legend Carlos Gracida will take place at 1 p.m. following the opening ceremonies.
Mariano Gracida. Photo by Scott Fisher.
The second annual Carlos Gracida Memorial Legends of Polo match (formally called the Legends of Polo) will honor one of the true legends of the game with a field of players that loved him the most. One of the most accomplished and admired polo players in the history of the game, 
Carlos Gracida (pictured right) was part of the legendary Mexican polo family that dominated the sport for decades. For the second annual memorial match, Carlos’ brother and fellow hall of famer, Memo, who played side-by-side with Carlos for seven winning U.S. Open teams, will take the pitch alongside his son Julio, Carlos’ sons Carlitos and Mariano Gracida, as well as other family members Alejandro Gonzalez and Weston Gracida. Play begins at 1 p.m. following opening ceremonies.
The USPA International Cup will take the pitch at 3 p.m., with Team USA hosting Team South Africa for a high-speed, intense event. Proceeds from doubleheader event will benefit the Polo Museum and Hall of Fame, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and developing an appreciation for the sport of polo .
The polo fun begins at 12:30 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club. General admission costs $20, while VIP Pavilion tickets cost $200 per person. Admission for Signature Tailgate Package costs $250, which includes reserved tailgate spot, tent, and four chairs—the perfect field side seat.
- For more information, visit grandchampionspoloclub.org. For tickets, call 561-644-5050, or click here.
- All proceeds from the afternoon of polo will benefit the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame.
Carlitos Gracida. Photo by Alex Pacheco.
Official Rosters for The USPA International Cup include:
USA
- Marc Ganzi (1)
- Jeff Hall (7)
- Nic Roldan (8)
- Julio Arellano (8)
South Africa
- Tom de Bruin (7)
- Gareth Evans (6)
- Chris MacKenzie (6)
- Selby Williamson (5)
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