The Gracida Legacy Foundation’s promise is to enrich the lives of community youth through a love of horsemanship and role models dedicated to instilling leadership skills, discipline, and a champion mentality.

With the loss of Carlos Gracida, Carlos Jr. and Mariano both had to step up into new leadership roles in their family. They quickly realized just how impactful having their father as a role model and mentor had been. The life skills they learned by taking care of horses, playing a team sport competitively, and constantly being surrounded and influenced by globally recognized individuals has helped to shape the Gracida brothers into the men they are today.

 

After creating a lifestyle brand and realizing success with Gracida wine, they learned that their business partner, Nick Valenta, had grown up without a father but had surrounded himself with many mentors. In doing so he was also able to grow and mature enough to start a business at a relatively young age.

 

Carlos, Mariano, and Nick’s belief that positive role models are crucial for maturing into adulthood and avoiding negative life paths sparked a desire to give back and be able to share their love for horses and the game of polo with others, as Carlos Gracida did.