North Star shined the brightest at the USPA Women’s Gold Cup, securing an 8-5 victory over BTA and solidifying its place at the top of women’s polo. For Meghan Gracida and her team, the win was a milestone, but they are not resting on their laurels. As the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship approaches, Gracida sees even greater potential for the team to continue rising to the top.
How would you describe the final match?
“The final game was tough. It was unfortunate to see Malia [Bryan] have a fall. She’s a very important player for BTA and it’s something you never want to see—a player going down. But BTA is a strong, four-player team. They’re well-mounted and know how to play polo, so we had our hands full against them. I have a lot of respect for BTA and I especially admire that they are four American players. It’s amazing to see.”
“Winning the [Women’s] Gold Cup is probably the greatest win of my career because it’s the second most prestigious tournament in the United States after the U.S. Open.” – Meghan Gracida
North Star – Jennifer Buchan, Meghan Gracida, Micaela Saracco, Hazel Jackson. ©David Lominska
How did you celebrate winning the USPA Women’s Gold Cup?
“After our win on Saturday, Memo and I took our employees out for a nice dinner to celebrate with them. They’re the unsung heroes, the true heart of our team, so it was important to celebrate with them.”
What are North Star’s strengths?
“The strengths of North Star lie both on and off the field. On the field, we are a versatile four-player team that can adapt to different opponents. Off the field, we are supported by great organizations and have incredible horses, which are vital at this level of women’s polo. Having Memo on the sidelines is also a huge advantage. He’s passionate about making the team perform well. Our operation, La Herradura, brought 30 horses to Wellington to mount Hazel and me, as well as support Jen [Buchan] and Micaela [Saracco]. Luis Saracco’s breeding operation in Argentina has contributed 14 horses to our efforts and, of course, Jen’s involvement has been a cornerstone of our team’s success.”
How was the team built?
“Jen, Hazel and I played together last year in the WOW [Women of Wellington] Polo Series and had great camaraderie. When I learned Hazel was available for the U.S. Open, she was my top pick. Hazel is not just a top player but an excellent captain. We approached Jen and Mica is an incredible young player with the potential to reach 10 goals. Together, I knew we could succeed individually and function cohesively as a team. Jen is a huge supporter of North Star, and I’m grateful to represent her team.”
North Star’s Meghan Gracida on a breakaway. ©SC Equestrian Media
“To win it alongside such incredible teammates, with special horses, and under the guidance of Memo [Gracida], backed by an amazing organization, makes it a truly special achievement.” – Meghan Gracida
What are your expectations for the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship?
“Our expectations are high. We have added more horses and are constantly looking to improve. While we played well in the Gold Cup, I don’t think we have had our best game yet. The beauty of our team is our ability to adapt, with each player contributing equally. It’s a true team effort. I’m excited to see how we perform and how the horses do, especially with two new teams entering the competition. The U.S. Open will be an exciting challenge.”