About 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.