Swerdlin Makes Polo History with Gracidas at Hobe Sound Polo Club

Hobe Sound, FL - Wellington veterinarian Scott Swerdlin teamed up with a new generation of Gracidas to win the February 8-goal Outback at Hobe Sound Polo Club League as Palm Beach Equine – featuring Mariano and Carlitos Gracida and their cousin Julio Gracida – was declared victorious in recognition of a 4-0 record in the tournament.

“It was fabulous,” said Swerdlin who played back on the team. “They say the best defense is a good offense – we didn’t have to worry about the defense because the offense was so strong. There was so much talent on that team. Genetics plays a big part in this.”

Julio Gracida, 22, Carlitos, 19, and Mariano, 17, recalled their fathers’ advice to guide them as a team. “We’ve been taught to play the same way since we were born,” said Julio, “from the training that our fathers, Memo [Julio’s father] and Carlos, have given us. It was a great experience and I was very happy to get a chance to play with my cousins.”

Swerdlin, whose opportunity to play with all three Gracidas has been filed as a milestone in his own polo career, saw many comparisons between the generations and said: “I hope the polo system is as good to them as it was to their fathers, because these kids will be as good. They have all the markings. I hope one day when they are playing in the Open and I’m an old man I’ll be able to tell people that I played with all three of them in the 8-goal – and of course no one will believe me.”

The actual finals between Palm Beach Equine and Lockton were suspended after just one chukker due to heavy rain. No rematch was played as Lockton’s Tim Kelly and his team were already scheduled to leave Florida the following Monday.

This winter saw the ‘opening’ season for Hobe Sound Polo Club, a new private, equestrian community in Martin County that has caught the eye of the polo world, particularly nearby Wellington. The premium Florida location close to the award-winning white sand beaches of the Treasure Coast between Jupiter and Stuart sports five tournament polo fields and offers 20-acre horse properties priced from $775,000 surrounded by parks and reserves including the 8,000-acre contiguous Atlantic Ridge State Park.

Hobe Sound Polo Club has enjoyed hosting many new players who competed there discovering that the polo fields were well worth the trip.

“I heard that the fields at the club were really good,” said Tommy Biddle as he prepared for his Hobe Sound debut playing in the Outback at Hobe Sound Polo Club 12-goal alongside Swerdlin for Palm Beach Equine. “Good fields and enforcing the not turning on the ball rule will help my style of play.”

Swerdlin was awarded the MVP Amateur in the February 8-goal Outback at Hobe Sound Polo Club League, while Julio Gracida was awarded MVP professional for his performance in the tournament after coming on board just prior to the start. “They [Carlitos and Mariano] called me and asked me to play. They said: ‘Let’s go and have some fun.’ The fields were unbelievable at Hobe Sound Polo Club and it was a pleasure to play 8-goal on them. The organization was great. I tip my hat to Phil Heatley [Tournament Director]. It has been a very good start for Hobe Sound Polo Club.”

Swerdlin also praised the organization behind Hobe Sound Polo Club’s debut polo season and is hoping to invest in its future. “I would love to go up there and purchase land,” he said. “It has such a good atmosphere and is a wonderful place. The fields were perfection. They have an electronic scoreboard that is extremely helpful for someone like me to know to change horses. The umpiring was good and Phil Heatley did an amazing job.”

Carlos Gonzalez tallied eight goals against Detroit Blues in the finals of the February 4-goal Outback Polo League at Hobe Sound Polo Club to orchestrate a 9-5 victory for El Sur.

Detroit Blues lined up former MSU player Emmalyn Wheaton, South Africa’s Duncan Watson, Collin McCosh and 12-year old Steven Jenkins – both grandsons of Detroit Polo Club founder Merle Jenkins. Scores were level at half-time with Detroit Blues allowed a goal on handicap. Gonzalez added two field goals per chukker in the second half with Kelly Torres scoring in the third to give them victory.

“The new fields were superb in spite of the challenges of a wet and cold winter,” said tournament director, Phil Heatley. “We hope that the players had a good experience playing in the Outback at Hobe Sound Polo Club Leagues this year and next year we are looking forward to hosting more new players.”

For more information contact Sarah Eakin, saraheakin@aol.com Tel: 803 295 2860

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