Equine Salute Invitational

The second annual Equine Salute Invitational, sponsored by the Arion Group, will be held Friday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

A polo match, featuring some of the sport’s top players including 8-goaler Nic Roldan, will raise money for the Gracida Legacy Foundation. The match is scheduled from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Gates open 3 p.m.

 

Hosting the event are brothers and fourth-generation players Carlitos and Mariano Gracida, sons of the late Carlos Gracida, a Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler.

The team rosters are:

Apollo Jets Team: Mariano Gracida, Carlitos Gracida, Santi Torres, Tommy Collingwood.

Arion Group Team: Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini, Matt Coppola.

Extra Chukker players will be British Olympic gold medalist show jumper Ben Maher, a three-time Olympian, and American show jumper Sophie Gracida.

Mexican-born Carlos Gracida reached 10 goals in 1985 and held the ranking for 15 years. Gracida won every major award and tournament in polo and is considered one of the all-time greatest players.

Gracida was a five-time Player of the Year, nine-time U.S. Open champion and 10-time British Open winner. He won three Grand Slams in polo, the U.S. Open, British Open and Argentine Open. He is the only player to have won all three in a calendar year and did it three times in 1988, 1989 and 1994.

“It’s an honor to support and celebrate our client and their family legacy,” said Nick Valenta, CEO of The Arion Group and Gracida brothers’ business partner. “Their work inspires us and deeply connects to our purpose of inspiring personal progress in others, which has been at the heart of our brand.”

Gracida Legacy Wine will be served at the after-party in a tented area with food and music. The wine label is gaining a following at various restaurants in Palm Beach County.

Equine Salute Invitational attendees will have the choice of enjoying a VIP experience with open bar and food or enjoy a festive field side tailgating area. An exclusive cocktail party is planned on the eve of the event for its premier sponsors.

Proceeds benefit the Gracida Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to enrich the lives of community youth through a love of horsemanship and role models dedicated to instilling leadership skills, discipline and champion mentality. The Foundation also supports and assists families of fallen players.

The Arion Group is a personalized, all-encompassing management firm. The firm offers a wide array of services that allow clients to focus solely on their careers.

Mariano Gracida

Tickets are still available at GracidaLegacy.com. Tickets are $50 per person with VIP tickets at $250. Santa Rita Polo Farm is located at 10518 Wellington Preserve Boulevard.