Ruben Gracida

While watching polo in Santa Barbara in 1976, young Ruben Gracida was offered a job to play. Not having played for some time, he began his professional career at 3 goals but went to 5 in a matter of months. As he experienced increasing success, he made the U.S. his home. He worked hard and racked up a long list of impressive wins making a name for himself as a tough competitor and an influential figure on the American polo scene, rapidly rising to 8 goals. His outstanding playing record includes winning the U.S. Open Championship four times and its MVP in 1983, the Pacific Coast Open 3 times, the ’83 International Gold Cup, the Avilo Camacho Cup in 1981 and ’88, and in England, back-to-back Coronation Cups in 1985 and ’86 along with numerous other national and international tournament victories.