Kaliman

Kaliman carried Memo Gracida to victory many times and won a fair share of accolades along the way. The thoroughbred bay gelding from Wyoming twice won the Hartman Trophy for best playing pony in the U.S. Open, in 1987 and 1989, and was the star of Gracida’s string. “Every time I needed him, he always performed,” Gracida noted. “He gave me an outstanding chukker every time.”

When Memo Gracida bought the big thoroughbred from Bob Tate in Sheridan, Wyoming, he knew at first sight that the pony’s name had to be “Kalimán” – a name prompted by his resemblance to the Mexican comic book hero (“el hombre increible”) who was gifted with great physical strength and amazing mental powers. “He deserves and earns his name and ultimate respect,” Gracida noted. “Consistency-wise, he was beyond any other horse. I only wish I had more Kalimans.”

Kaliman often played two chukkers and had “lots of mileage” according to Gracida, who retired him at 12. “He was a very fluid horse. His biggest attributes were his balance and fluidity. He was not on legs; he was on wheels. He had tremendous acceleration for a horse that was sixteen hands.”

Bob Tate added: “He was mentally tough and could bump, or should I say ‘hit,’ like a middle linebacker. The harder you played him the quicker and more responsive he got. He was a champion among champions.”

Watercolor portrait of Kaliman (Top Photo) by artist, Melinda Brewer; www.poloart.ca