Gay Polo Attracts Global Audience To Wellington

By Jamie Saults

By moving the annual International Gay Polo Tournament to the International Polo Club Palm Beach two years ago, founder Chip McKenney expanded Wellington’s global reach beyond the polo mecca of Argentina, which has made the community its seasonal base for many years.

As the popularity of the tournament and social event-packed Gay Polo Week grew, word spread to regions of the world not normally associated with polo. Recent participants have come from Russia (including the president of the Moscow Polo Club), France (including the top-rated female pro), Canada, Algeria and Australia, as well as from more than a dozen states spanning California to Maine.

The allure of the seventh annual International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by Discover the Palm Beaches and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission is its uniqueness. The week, which takes place from March 31 through April 3, melds a serious high-intensity sport with lighthearted fanfare — a combo not frequently seen.

“For me, the most fun thing was being able to play polo with different people with a fresh perspective,” said professional polo player Nic Roldan, who competed in the tournament for five years. “It’s as much fun on the field as off it. How often do you get to play a game and find yourself surrounded by drag queens at halftime?”

Organized and produced by the Gay Polo League, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the annual tournament and social events attract a widely diverse group from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender polo community and friends. The GPL began with one member in one city and now represents a worldwide network of players. It was created as a vehicle for the gay community to enjoy the challenging sport of polo.

Representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels, the GPL community shares a love for adventure, travel and fun, complemented by a passion for sport. The league is noted for its camaraderie and creating a fun and exciting environment for LGBT community members and their friends to experience the sport of polo.

“When I founded the Gay Polo League 10 years ago, I believed polo had all the ingredients to become a great sport for LBGT people to participate in,” McKenney said. “It is so exciting to be celebrating our 10th anniversary, plus I am confident we have so much more coming up in the next decade. Plans are underway for creating and producing international gay polo tournaments in other countries. In fact, we are currently planning a GPL tournament in Argentina.”

Gay Polo Week has become one of the most sensational events in Wellington. In addition to a world-class polo tournament, the event features an extraordinary tailgate competition with elaborately decorated tailgates that are months in the making.

In 2015, the Best in Show winner was “Gert’s Salon” with “Gert,” a well-known social event personality in Los Angeles, plus a bevy of “hair stylists” working their magic on customers. In previous years, there was a Titanic tailgate with a string quartet, which included the exact brunch served on the ill-fated ship the day it sank. Another winner was a local wild animal conservation organization showcasing a jungle-themed tailgate booth with a live cheetah.

This year, the tournament offers spectators the opportunity to enjoy the Cherry Knoll Farm VIP tent, which is located field side at midfield, offering an open bar and delectable gourmet selections from the official caterer, Aaron’s Catering of the Palm Beaches.

The events kick off Friday evening, April 1, with the Polotini Party, hosted by Patricia Quick at the Mallet Grille at IPC; moving on the tournament itself on Saturday, April 2; and wrapping up with the GPL Brunch on Sunday afternoon, April 3, also at the Mallet Grille. Patrons who attend the brunch have a premier location from which to watch the action of the 2016 U.S. Open Polo Championships.

The Gay Polo League welcomes everybody to participate, on and off the field, in the exciting future of the league. For more information, contact McKenney at chip@gaypolo.com or visit www.gaypolo.com.