Meet the Academy Team
BRANDON PHILLIPS
Brandon Phillips is a distinguished figure in the world of professional polo, a former 6 goal handicap player, now currently playing off a 4 handicap, has a decorated career that has seen him compete and triumph at the apex levels of the sport.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Phillips now divides his time between Wellington, Florida, and Old Westbury, New York playing for the Dracarys Polo Team. He is celebrated not only for his exceptional skills on the polo field but also for his ability to cultivate and develop talent as a well-respected polo coach.
Phillips’ impressive resume is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport, participating in some of the most prestigious tournaments. His numerous victories span across various countries, including the United States, Canada, England, South Africa , Mexico, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, China and Argentina.
Away from the field, Phillips lives with his wife, Andrea, and their son, Ocean and daughter Onyx. His commitment to the sport is matched by his dedication to his family, which offers a grounding balance to the high-stakes, dynamic world of professional polo.
At age 14, Brandon had to face the biggest challenge of his life, battle stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A swollen leg turned traumatic with a prognosis of 6 weeks to live. Phillips endured five grueling months of intensive chemotherapy sessions yet never lost his spirit nor accepted death as an option. He beat the odds and went into remission.
Brandon vowed to dedicate his life to pursuing what he loved most…polo. Later, he fused his passion for polo with his desire to help families facing the dreadful challenge of surviving childhood cancers. Polo for Life, Inc., founded in 2018 by Brandon, has raised over $3M to help pediatric cancer patients and their families from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship and long-term follow-up.
ROBERTO GONZÁLEZ GRACIDA
Roberto González brings over 45 years of unparalleled expertise in the sport of polo to his new role as Academy Director at MB Polo. His illustrious career, marked by mastery of all facets of the game, spans playing, coaching, and horse training, making him an invaluable asset to our team.
During his peak years as a high goal professional, Roberto focused intently on his game, team dynamics, and relationships with high goal patrons. As a member of the distinguished Gracida-González family, alongside his cousins Memo, Carlos, and Ruben, he played a pivotal role in dominating the U.S. high goal polo scene for decades. His tenure with world-class organizations such as the Packer family’s Ellerston and Anthony Embiricos’s Tramontana provided him with insights into the complexities of managing large polo organizations.
Transitioning to a high goal coach was a natural progression for Roberto, driven by respect from younger players and team patrons. His coaching career flourished in both England and Florida, where he honed his ability to adapt to different logistical and cultural contexts. His leadership was further recognized when he was asked to coach the U.S. and Mexican selections for the 14 Goal International Polo Federation’s quadrennial tournament, where he expertly balanced the talents of seasoned and younger players to optimize team performance.
Roberto’s dedication to the sport extended to coaching women’s teams, where he discovered new dimensions of teamwork and player selection. Over the past decade, he has successfully run a polo school in Mexico City, introducing numerous new players to the sport. His experience at the university level, where many students start with little to no riding or polo experience, has equipped him with the skills to develop raw talent into proficient players.
Roberto’s polo career is rooted in Mexico City and Wellington, Florida. In both locations, he trained and sold polo ponies, including retraining racehorses for high goal polo. His clientele included some of the sport’s most demanding buyers, such as Adolfo Cambiaso. Recently, he has focused on making horses for low and medium goal players, bringing a group of ten to the U.S. for successful sale in the Southeast.
His playing career includes:
Roberto has also coached several men’s and women’s teams across the U.S., Europe, and Mexico, including:
Roberto González’s extensive experience, passion for polo, and proven track record in both playing and coaching make him an exceptional addition to the MB Polo team. We are thrilled to welcome him this summer.
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