POLO LEGENDS LEGENDS OF POLO EVENT CONTINUES THE FAR-REACHING LEGACY OF CARLOS GRACIDA BY CANDACE FERREIRA
Under crisp skies and the hum of anticipation, team Gracida I delivered a performance that was as much about heart as it was about skill, capturing the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington — a venue where tradition, family history and competitive excellence intersect. The team of Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Mariano “Nano” Gracida and Carlos Gracida Jr. moved with the effortless precision of a unit bound not only by talent but by legacy. Their intuitive chemistry and composed execution propelled them to a 4-2 victory over a determined team Gracida II lineup featuring Juancito Bollini, Joseph Schwartz, Gaston Dorignac and Santos Bollini. From the first throw-in, the match unfolded with the kind of intensity that Grand Champions is known for hosting. Gracida I set the early tempo, orchestrating clean, coordinated plays and intelligent ball movement. Their defensive line was equally sharp — organized, disciplined and unyielding. Every drive down the field reflected a unified front, a team reading the field and each other with instinctive clarity. The connection between the players, strengthened by both family ties and years of playing together, added
2025 Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial winners Grant Ganzi, Mariano “Nano” Gracida, Carlos Gracida Jr and Marc Ganzi.
a depth to their performance that allowed them to stay composed even as Gracida II ramped up the pressure. One of the afternoon’s brightest highlights came from Oli Janet, an 11-year-old chestnut Argentine mare ridden by Marc Ganzi and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm. Her agility, sensitivity and brilliance under pressure were unmistakable, earning Best Play-
ing Pony honors. Every stride showed the harmony between horse and rider — each turn and burst of acceleration executed with a confidence and fluidity that define elite polo partnerships. Oli Janet’s recognition was a reminder of the essential bond at the heart of the sport that often becomes the difference-maker in matches played at the highest level. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | January 2026 35