Wembley

A venerable veteran of the most highly competitive polo in the U.S. and around the world, Wembley has been played by the best players in the sport. Now owned by Robert P. Jornayvaz, III, the elegant black gelding was played by Bob’s Valiente team the last several seasons of his storied career.

Foaled in 1993 and playing until the age of 23, Wembley has been a recognizable hero on the polo field for many years. He was first owned and played by Hall of Famer Memo Gracida who discovered Wembley in England in 1999. Memo has said he knew the horse was special in the first 50 yards he rode him. Since then, Wembley has been around the world playing at the highest level by many of the best players in the sport and the accolades have abounded.

Counted among his laurels were numerous Best Playing Pony Awards, Horse of the Year in 2004, and in 2013 Wembley was the first recipient of the Wembley award established in his honor to recognize horses that have had longevity and excellence playing at the high goal level at IPC. That year, he played throughout the season and in four of six chukkers of the U.S. Open.

Wembley was retired in 2016 and is currently enjoying a well-deserved life of ease. Having been cloned, the world waits to see if the grand talent of Wembley will live on.

Wembley, Valiente string. Photo by Snoopy

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