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Wellington Health

Expert Veterinary Care

Expert Veterinary Care Your Pets Are The Priority At ACCESS Specialty Hospitals Palm Beach County On Southern Blvd.

By Mike May

If you live in the western communities and your pet needs specialty veterinary care or emergency services, you can find what you need close to home. At the northeast corner of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7, you’ll find ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals Palm Beach County.

ACCESS stands for Advanced Critical Care, Emergency, and Specialty Services. And just like a human hospital, this animal hospital never closes. It’s open for emergency services 24/7.

Just as people, from time to time, need access to an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, radiology treatment, cardiology care, the ICU or surgery, so do dogs and cats, which comprise the vast majority of the patients at ACCESS. If your pet needs a specialist in the area of veterinary oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology or internal medicine, ACCESS also has experts who can provide that kind of professional expertise.

The ophthalmology services at ACCESS allow it to provide unique vision assistance to dogs.

“Dogs don’t read or drive cars, but we can provide some assistance with their vision,” said Mark Garrison, technician manager at the Animal Eye Specialty Clinic, which provides outside ophthalmology services for ACCESS.

“We can equip a dog with ‘doggles.’ We call it goggles for dogs. And we have the expertise to treat cataracts, too,” Garrison added.

ACCESS is owned by veterinarians and the staff shares a deep love for animals. Pets are an integral part of any family’s life, which is why the business is guided by four principles: quality, integrity, compassion and service.

ACCESS is driven to exceed not just what patients expect but exceed the standards that the four owners have established for themselves. The practice is committed to finding ways to provide better care and treatment for every pet patient.

When it comes to integrity, ACCESS will always provide the best possible care and do what is right for you and your pet. Meanwhile, the commitment to compassion is not driven by a marketing slogan. You can see it on the faces and hear it in the voices of those who work there. The entire staff — from the receptionists to the most experienced, board-certified veterinarian — takes great pride in the role of helping animals heal so they can return home and lead a normal life.

Services available at ACCESS are broad and far-reaching. It starts with a friendly greeting as soon as you walk through the front door. This includes accurate and timely reporting, spending time with you, explaining the proposed medical treatment, and rising before dawn to check on your pet.

“We are the Mayo Clinic of veterinary medicine,” explained Co-Medical Director Marcos Unis, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, a board-certified veterinary surgeon. “There’s a big need for specialty medicine for animals, and we provide it. We give clients all the information and let them make the final decision on treatment for their pet.”

According to Hospital Liaison Kami Kreaps, the majority of pets treated at ACCESS arrive based on a referral from a local veterinarian, but, again, the doors are always open if your primary veterinarian is closed or unavailable for emergency services.

ACCESS has been open for just over a year, having opened its doors in April 2021. In the last 12 months, the practice has established relationships with more than 400 veterinarians from across South Florida.

Capacity-wise, ACCESS can deal with many pets at the same time. It has room to house 120 pets in its more than 20,000-square-foot facility. There is a large staff of qualified professionals to take care of these companion animals: 75 surgery assistants/technicians, 16 veterinarians/specialists on staff, 15 exam rooms and four surgery suites.

ACCESS also has its own triage area, pharmacy, lab and laundry room on site. It even has generators on standby, ready to provide power in case of a storm or anything else that might knock out the power. ACCESS also has the ability to produce its own oxygen on site.

Personal service is important to the staff at ACCESS. As soon as a pet enters an exam room, a sign is put on the outside of the door with that pet’s name, so the attending veterinarian can provide personal service for the animal by name.

In addition to being a hospital for sick or injured pets, ACCESS also serves as a place for area veterinarians and veterinary technicians to get educated about changes in the veterinary profession.

“We have the room to host continuing education sessions for those who work in the veterinarian field,” Kreaps said.

While ACCESS is committed to helping your pet get well so it can go home, there are times when pets are not well enough to recover, and compassionate services are available for that as well.

“We also provide end-of-life services for those sad and tragic moments in any pet’s life,” Kreaps said.

ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals Palm Beach County is located at 10465 Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 774-8855 or e-mail info@accessvet.com. Visit www.accessvetsflorida.com to learn more.

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Feature Stories

A Focus On Quality Of Life

A Focus On Quality Of Life Inspired Living Brings Its Unique Take On Senior Living To The Western Communities

Story By Mike May | Photos By Abner Pedraza

If you are in your senior years and are looking for a place to live that can provide comfort and assistance with daily activities, or you are caring for a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may want to consider an assisted living or memory care community — and if you are living in the western communities, be sure to check out Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach.

Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach opened in December 2020, conveniently located at 11911 Southern Blvd. This state-of-the-art facility caters to seniors who want to maintain their quality of life and yet need some type of daily support.

“The communities were designed and built with state-of-the-art technology, amenities and programs, with the intent to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our residents and families,” Inspired Living CEO Steven Benjamin said. “We’re built for one purpose, to take care of moms and dads.”

Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach is a luxury senior living community designed with today’s senior in mind. Service and care plans are personally customized to each resident, providing them with a specialized life plan to help them maintain the quality of life they deserve.

“We are a resort-style senior living community that caters to residents 62 years or older,” Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach Executive Director Matthew Sarnelli said. “Our community has 104 apartments consisting of studio and one-bedroom apartments. We are licensed to care for up to 114 residents.”

Inspired Living provides a service that is in high demand.

“We provide the housing solution for adult children who are looking for a safe, homelike environment for their moms and dads,” Sarnelli explained.

At this local facility. Sarnelli and his team of caring professionals are personally committed to providing the best possible care and services.

“At Inspired Living, we are driven by a higher purpose, moved to serve moms and dads as if they are our own,” Sarnelli said.

According to Sarnelli, Royal Palm Beach is an ideal location for Inspired Living to have a brick-and-mortar presence because of the expanding senior population in Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and The Acreage.

When residents move to an Inspired Living community, they are encouraged to transform their apartment into their own “home sweet home.”

“The residents rent their apartments, and we encourage them to personalize them as much as possible with family pictures, artwork, a favorite chair,” Sarnelli said. “Whatever they can to make their new home warm and inviting. We want our residents to live and not just exist.”

The amenities at Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach are numerous. They include a fitness center, bocce ball, shuffleboard, a putting green, corn hole, bingo and a movie theater. At the fitness center, residents have access to fitness classes, strength training, Zumba, yoga, tai chi and balance classes. These fun social and wellness activities allow residents to get adjusted quicker to their new living situation, which builds friendships, which, in turn, enhance their physical and cognitive health. That’s a win-win for all involved.

At Inspired Living, a holistic approach is utilized so residents get healthy and stay healthy. And if you need specific long-term therapy, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy, it’s provided as well.

When you move to Inspired Living, you deserve to live your best life, and Sarnelli and his team are focused on providing just that.

Other than care services, dining is a crucial aspect of selecting the right senior living community to call home. Inspired Living’s dining service features three chef-prepared meals daily with restaurant-style, tableside service. They offer anytime dining, which means you can elect to sit with friends during scheduled dining hours or stop in anytime of the day for a meal.

The facility also has a bistro with snacks and beverages available all day, providing a refined and delicious dining experience around the clock. As a side note, Executive Chef Evelyn Vega De Garcia recently won the Inspired Living Battle of the Chefs competition held in Orlando in March.

“The goal of Inspired Dining is to provide the personalized service which residents deserve and expect by combining creative cuisine, exceptional nutrition and service excellence,” Sarnelli said. “At Inspired Living, dining is an important social experience for our residents. We also have a happy hour from time to time, which is very popular.”

If a resident needs a ride to a certain location in the area, Sarnelli’s team is there to assist, thereby saving the resident a possible taxi, Uber or Lyft expense.

“We provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping outings, restaurants and scenic rides to the beach,” Sarnelli said. “And if provided with enough notice, we can take a resident to other locations, as well.”

Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach is open daily for private community and model tours. The community will also provide a complimentary lunch with your tour reservation. They have several special events going on each month that visitors are welcome to attend.

To learn more about Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach, visit www.inspiredliving.care or call (561) 507-0989 to speak with a senior living counselor.

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Tasty Delights From Colombia

Tasty Delights From Colombia
El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 Offers Patrons Flavorful Latin Food In A Casual Atmosphere

Story and Photos by Melanie Kopacz

It’s Colombian food as authentic as being in the coffee-growing capital of Pereira itself. The mountainous coffee-growing region of western Colombia is known for mild Arabica beans and a number of traditional flavorful foods. It’s those delectable recipes and other regional Latin dishes that can be found at El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 here in the western communities.

Rinconcito Colombiano is nestled at the southeast corner of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7 in the Western Plaza shopping center with Home Depot. The tricolors of Colombia’s national flag with yellow, blue and red painted outside the restaurant proudly welcome customers as they walk in.

The doors at this location opened four years ago to complement its original West Palm Beach restaurant. For many longtime customers, like Patricia Recalt and her son Giovanni, the food here feeds their soul.

“We’ve shared a lot of special meals over the years. My husband, Arnaldo, who was from Cuba, passed away two years ago. We would come here for the traditional soups,” Patricia Recalt said.

She and her friend, Marielena Hotusing, agreed it’s that soup and the many other Colombian dishes that they find both so comforting and appetizing.

“If we can’t make it, we will come and get it here, because it’s the same thing as making it,” Recalt said. “It’s home-cooked food, and it’s delicious.”

It’s delicious — and also as fresh as you can get.

“Everything is freshly made daily. We even have our own private butcher,” Rinconcito Colombiano’s General Manager Gladys Restrepo said. “We’re always busy because of the natural food and fresh ingredients.”

Fresh ingredients, like in Colombia’s national dish, Bandeja Paisa, from the Antioquia region.

The hearty meal includes grilled steak, fried egg, pork belly, sausage, sweet plantains, beans and rice, as well as a half an avocado. It and other platters range around $13.

The menu also includes flavorful seafood dishes and several chicken options, like Pechuga De Pollo Asada. The marinated and tenderly grilled chicken breast comes with rice and salad.

Tasty and very filling empanadas are enough for a meal in itself. While other areas of South America make the pockets with dough, Colombian empanadas are made from corn meal and deep fried, making for a soft-yet-crunchy bite into the full chunks of lean beef and potato mixture steaming hot inside. Aside from beef filling, you can get them with either chicken or cheese, and they are $1.59 each.

Sandwiches include the Colombian Burger topped with bacon, pineapple, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and oozing with ketchup, mustard and mayo, with a topping of potato chips and served with a side of fries.

The restaurant’s walls feature the typical street art in the city of Pereira, where Restrepo hails from, with a brightly painted mural of the mountainous landscape as a traditional bus travels along the Andes mountainside. A trellis hangs above with greenery. TVs fill the corners set to stations from the home country.

The restaurant is often filled with people from all ethnicities and ages enjoying the food and conversation. The cozy dining room features a mixture of tables of four to some booths and high tops. There’s seating for 55, as well as an outdoor patio. Or sit up at the bar and grab one of the traditional coffees, like cafe con leche, or a frothy cappuccino. There are also a number of fresh juices, like passion fruit with milk. Several imported libations are also available with a running special of a bucket of beer or Cubetazo at $19 for five.

A number of bakery items will tease your tastebuds, including cheese-filled breads like Pandebono. About a dozen delectable pastries are on display for the choosing. There are also gourmet desserts, like creamy rice pudding and more.

If it’s a meal to start out the day, breakfast is served every day until noon with a number of popular dishes. The Tamal Paisa, a breakfast tamale, is a favorite for many. A corn cake stuffed with chicken, pork, potatoes, peas and carrots, it is then wrapped in banana leaves with a side of rice or corn cake.

Latin music fills the background as people enjoy the cultural culinary delights. For many, it truly is a taste of home.

“Our staff is like family,” Restrepo said, adding that the nationally recognized Colombian food at Rinconcito Colombiano comes from many family recipes.

She wants all who eat there to feel the same love in those recipes, too.

El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 is located at 9900 Southern Blvd. in the shopping plaza at the southeast corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. near Home Depot. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with breakfast served from 7 a.m. to noon. For more information or takeout, call (561) 304-8650 or (561) 469-1689.

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Wellington Real Estate

Exquisite Home In Binks Estates

Exquisite Home In Binks Estates
Spectacular Views And Gorgeous Landscaping Complement The Professionally Decorated Interior

This beautiful and pristine pool home in Binks Estates — one of the most sought-after communities in Wellington — is situated on .41 acres with views of the 10th green of the Wellington National Golf Club. The professionally decorated estate home features a lovely white kitchen with wood cabinetry, gorgeous quartz countertops, double ovens, and a large, walk-in pantry. The striking crown, base and decorative custom wall moldings enhance the unique architecture of the home. All four bathrooms have been tastefully renovated. Spectacular views await you as you step outside the home and see the gorgeous landscaping surrounding the heated saltwater pool, resurfaced just four years ago. This light and bright airy home also offers accordion shutters, a full house generator and an extended screened patio. This four-bedroom home is close to great schools and Wellington’s world-class equestrian venues.

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Wellington Education

Rising To Meet Every Challenge

Rising To Meet Every Challenge Principal Cara Hayden Helps Students And Faculty Thrive At Wellington High School 

Story by Deborah Welky  |  Photos by Denise Fleischman

Back when Wellington was a fledgling community, there was no local high school. Teenagers were bused far away to schools on the coast. That all changed in 1988 with the long-awaited opening of Wellington High School on Greenview Shores Blvd.

For nearly 35 years now, Wellington High School has been educating and graduating generations of Wolverines at a school known for its strong academics and unique special programs, burnishing the Village of Wellington’s reputation for great local schools.

Since 2018, Wellington High School has been led by Principal Cara Hayden, who took over for longtime Principal Mario Crocetti when he retired.

Hayden is someone who rises to meet every challenge, and she has been doing so since back in her own high school days, which were split between two different states — the first half in northern California, and the second half in Plantation, Florida. The one constant was her involvement in sports.

“My life was filled with athletics,” Hayden said. “I was doing varsity swimming and playing varsity water polo all four years. When I wasn’t doing sports, I was always working to take care of myself. I worked to save up enough money for college and to buy a car.”

Upon graduation, she was accepted into Florida State University, where she earned three degrees over the next nine years, including a bachelor’s degree in social work.

“I wanted to work with at-risk kids,” Hayden recalled. “I wanted to help them know that there’s something more out there than what is in their immediate social life.”

So, Hayden began her journey as a social worker.

“But then I saw that kids with disabilities weren’t getting equal access to high level courses and other services, so I got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in disabilities and emotional disturbances.”

From 2000 to 2009, Hayden taught algebra and geometry to students who had trouble learning, then became a specialist on the subject. “I traveled from school to school, teaching students and showing teachers how to better teach them,” she explained.

An FSU certification in educational leadership in hand, Hayden made her biggest advance when the principal of one of the schools on her itinerary, Santaluces High School, created an assistant principal position especially for her.

“I was an assistant principal there for five years,” Hayden said. “I helped the school become an A-rated school and worked to make sure all students graduated. Then I got the call to become principal at Wellington High School.”

Hayden was excited by the opportunity to lead a school with such a stellar reputation.

“I always knew that I wanted to impact as many students as I could,” she said. “I wanted to eventually be able to run my own school and make sure all students received all the services they deserved.”

As if leading a high school with 2,700 students isn’t challenging enough, Hayden arrived at a challenging time.

“Coming to Wellington has been one of my greatest challenges. As soon as I arrived, the Stoneman Douglas incident occurred,” she recalled, referring to the deadly February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. “So, I had to take a school I’d only been in one month and change most policies to ensure the safety of our students and to do the best I could to make sure something like that didn’t happen at WHS.”

Then, just two years later, COVID-19 altered the landscape once again. Being suddenly thrust into remote learning presented its own challenges.

“I would say we’ve all learned a tremendous amount, and these tragedies have brought our staff and students much closer,” Hayden said. “We’ve learned to work as a team and to collaborate better than we would have if we hadn’t had to turn the school into a virtual school.”

Despite everything, Wellington High School continues to thrive. It is home to award-winning programs, both academic and extracurricular. It is home to four highly regarded choice academies: Equine/Pre-Veterinary, Fine Arts, Fire Science and Marketing.

“Each year, we see more students graduating from WHS with the tools and training that prepare them for college and the work force,” Hayden said. “We have record numbers earning AICE diplomas, college credits and industry certifications. Our athletic teams continue to achieve athletically and academically. Each of our performing arts groups — band, chorus, dance and theater — have earned Superior ratings at interscholastic competitions. Finally, we’ve expanded our leadership offerings beyond student government to include Latinos in Action, Link Crew and the Black Leadership & Achievement Student Team (BLAST).”

Personally, Hayden is thankful for the support she got from so many people along the way, such as Deputy Superintendent Edward Tierney; Keith Oswald, currently the school district’s chief of equity and wellness; and Dreyfoos School of the Arts Principal Blake Bennett. Each helped her at key points in her career.

“I’ve been pretty lucky in that I’ve worked with a lot of great people. Keith Oswald was a principal when I was teaching and gave me my first opportunity to step into a leadership role,” she said. “Edward Tierney was at Boynton Beach High School when I was teaching math there. He’s a very serious guy, and he came into my class to observe, wearing a very serious face. At end of class, he told me it was the best math class he had ever seen. Since then, he has always looked out for me. As a teacher, I did work incredibly hard and did everything I was supposed to do with the best intentions for all my students. Also Blake Bennett, who was an assistant principal back then, all three of them have really helped shape my career.”

Hayden is most proud of the amazing work done by the students at Wellington High School through challenging times.

“Even though students have had to adapt to a series of abrupt changes and unusual challenges over the past two years, at their core, kids still value the same things about being part of a school as always. They’ve always been supportive of their peers; now they have more social emotional learning skills to help their friends and classmates,” she said. “Students wish to be part of meaningful clubs and organizations; now, they know how to extend those efforts beyond meetings and classrooms by using social media and digital resources. Most importantly, they want to be seen, heard and valued.”

Hayden remains as excited about her position at WHS as the first day she arrived four years ago.

“I plan to hang out here as long as they’ll have me,” she said. “I want to continue to see our students be safe, have a meaningful learning environment and continue to grow academically and socially. I want to see human kindness. I want the students leaving Wellington High School to become citizens that we are all going to be proud of.”

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Feature Stories

Helping Combat Veterans Reintegrate

Helping Combat Veterans Reintegrate Local Nonprofit Unified Dream Helps Area Veterans Return To Daily  Life

Story by Mike May | Photos by Abner Pedraza

The biggest battle that many of today’s veterans face is not the enemy they found on battlefields in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, it’s at home in their own communities as they attempt to reintegrate into regular society after serving their country in the United States military.

To help fellow veterans make a successful transition to civilian life after serving in combat, Jake Hampu, a retired U.S. Marine, has stepped forward and created an organization to help veterans re-adjust to civilian life.

That group is called Unified Dream, a locally based nonprofit that Hampu founded in 2017. Since its inception, the group has been volunteer-driven with Hampu at the helm as its founder and president.

“I knew that I had a greater calling in life than leading men in war,” said Hampu, 39, whose military service includes a 2002 deployment to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and a nine-month deployment to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2005. “I knew there were many veterans out there who needed help integrating back into regular society.”

According to Hampu, the strengths that many veterans display on the battlefield can actually hinder them in their daily lives when they return home.

“Soldiers are tough, stubborn and hard-headed,” explained Hampu, who once led 30 men into war and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001 to 2006. “Today, veterans struggle to ask for help and assistance when they return home. Veterans are looking for that sense of accomplishment and purpose that they had while serving in the military. When we get out of the military, we have to find a new mission.”

With Hampu’s leadership at Unified Dream, nearly 80 veterans to date, and their family members, have received assistance on finding that new mission. Often this means dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“PTSD is for real, and the impact of it is also felt by family members of their loved ones who have served in the military,” Hampu said.

While family members love their veteran relatives, their lack of understanding of life in combat often creates a major disconnect back home. “Unless you went through it, you can’t totally understand it,” Hampu explained.

One of his most impactful military experiences was dealing with the loss of a close friend and colleague. “The day after I lost one of my best friends in Fallujah, I was back out on the battlefield,” Hampu recalled.

In civilian life, people pause, mourn and reflect the loss of a close friend or a relative. In the military during wartime, the mission must continue. And it did for Hampu. “For years, I felt survivor’s guilt because my friend had a wife and child back home. Yet I survived that day for something greater in life,” he said.

For Hampu, that greater calling is his work with Unified Dream.

At Unified Dream, veterans are coached and counseled so they find hope, gain self-respect, deal with depression and look forward to daily life again. One of Unified Dream’s coaching tactics is to get veterans involved in community projects that help intertwine them with the local community.

“Veterans need a sense of accomplishment in their daily lives, just as they had when they wore a military uniform,” Hampu said. “Since 2017, our local veterans have helped more than 50 local nonprofit organizations. By veterans helping others, we help them.”

But that’s not all. “We also teach good health and wellness habits,” he said. “We get veterans using yoga and meditation. We also take the veterans on adventure group outings where we go snorkeling, biking, hiking and target shooting. We are now planning a paintball session.”

The element of camaraderie that soldiers experience during military life is a missing ingredient in their civilian lives, which is why adventure group outings are so important to them. “The friends you have back home often don’t compare to the friendships you form in the military,” Hampu explained.

It doesn’t take too long to make a positive impact on their lives.

“Within a few months, we begin to notice a difference in the lives of veterans,” Hampu said. “They regain their self-respect, they are looking for more things to do, and they start living a life of peace and purpose. Family members often approach me because they notice a positive change in lives of their loved ones.”

Aside from his work with Unified Dream, Hampu also has a full-time job with the Palm Beach Kennel Club, where he coordinates video, photography and marketing projects.

While he is the executive director of Unified Dream, it’s not a one-man show. Hampu has the dedicated assistance of many other local veterans, who support Hampu’s passion for helping fellow veterans reintegrate into daily life.

The organization has evolved with the help of Hampu’s longtime friend Matt Baker, a fellow veteran. “Matt fully understands the struggles of reintegration,” Hampu said.

His army of local supporters include a dedicated group of board members and volunteers, such as Bill Garland, Jeff Hmara and Matt Vermilyer.

“Bill Garland, a former member of the United States Army, is my right-hand man,” Hampu said. “Jeff Hmara is a retired U.S. Army colonel who cares. He has been instrumental in our growth and is somebody I look up to. Matt Vermilyer is a former Marine who is willing to help, very passionate about our cause, and is a true leader.”

While Hampu is delighted with the progress of Unified Dream, he’s not content with the status quo.

“My goal is to find somebody with a big heart and deep pockets who is willing to make a large donation so I can do this work full-time,” said Hampu, who spends 15 to 20 hours a week with Unified Dream. “My priority in life is my purpose. I don’t do this work for a pat on the back. I do it for the survival and betterment of my fellow veterans.”

Hampu knows that his work with Unified Dream is making a positive impact. “When we reintegrate a veteran back into regular society, they are your best citizens,” he said.

To learn more about Jake Hampu and Unified Dream, visit www.unifieddream.org or www.facebook.com/unifieddreamorg.

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Feature Stories

GPL Tournament Gallops Back

GPL Tournament Gallops Back Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament, Presented By Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Makes Its Return To Wellington This Month

While the excitement of the equestrian season in Wellington is always a joyful time in the community, the annual Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, (GPL) really ramps up the fun! This year will be no exception when the event returns to the International Polo Club Palm Beach from April 7 through April 10.

The multi-day event brings together an international slate of LGBTQ athletes and allies, along with some of the top luxury brands from around the world for festivities that celebrate inclusion and awareness.

Founder Chip McKenney, a passionate equestrian, desired to create a safe place and unique opportunity for LGBTQ+ athletes interested in the sport of polo. Unsure of how it would be received in the polo community, he took a leap of faith and created the Gay Polo League in 2006. In 2010, he established the International Gay Polo Tournament.

“It was nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time,” McKenney said. “It truly was unlike anything I had ever done, yet I knew I could not be the only gay person wanting a place to enjoy sports without feeling like I did not belong. Too often in the LGBTQ+ community, including myself, there is a fear of team sports and, therefore, we do not pursue them.”

McKenney’s vision for the league and the tournament has proven successful. Today, GPL has members in 14 countries. This year, the 16 polo players competing represent six countries — Argentina, Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Peru and the United States.

McKenney believes it is the inclusiveness that makes this tournament not only stand out, but a success. “We are identified as a gay tournament, yet we are inclusive of others who wish to participate and support our events,” he said. “For us, diversity and inclusion are exciting and important. The tournament is for all to participate. We are one human race, and that should matter more than anything.”

He believes that part of the wide acceptance of the GPL is the well-traveled audience and participants who care more about a desire to play than anything else. It is what participants are most looking forward to.

Beginning with the GPL Stick & Ball practice and VIP Sponsor Reception sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, by invitation only, on Thursday, April 7, and the GPL Senator Cup Preliminary Matches, the fun will really begin during the Baccarat presents the GPL Polotini Wigstock!, a charity fundraiser on the evening of Friday, April 8.

New this year, the charity beneficiary of Polotini is the onePULSE Foundation, which was born out of the tragic events at the Pulse nightclub in June 2016. The foundation’s mission is to create and support a national memorial that opens hearts, a museum that opens minds, educational programs that open eyes and scholarships that open doors.

“The events that happened that night should live forever in the minds and hearts of our country,” McKenney said. “In the conversations our team has had with onePULSE founder Barbara Poma, we relive the horror and pain of that fateful night. And, while our world is certainly moving forward, we must never forget and continue to push for equality and acceptance. We know the work that the foundation is doing directly aligns with the work we are doing. We have the highest of hopes that empathy and bravery will grow, while inspiring others to be accepting, inclusive and celebrate the strengths that diversity brings to every aspect of our life.”

Saturday, April 9 will be the main event during the GPL Senator Cup Finals, GPL Founder’s Cup Finals and GPL Tailgate Competition, sponsored by First Republic Bank. The polo field will be filled with sights of majestic ponies complemented by fierce competition and laughter from the participants on and off the fields. The fans will enjoy the culminating match, featuring elite athletes from around the globe.

“Who doesn’t love the sideline action in these wild tailgates?” McKenney said. “I cannot wait to see what everyone who has been stuck at home over the last two years dreams up for the big re-entry into the world!”

Festivities will end at Sunday, April 10’s GPL Brunch when McKenney will officially announce his biggest news yet, that the GPL received the Palm Beach County Champion of Equity & Diversity in Sports Award at the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Awards Celebration.

The celebration will be held the week prior to the GPL event. The GPL was selected for inspiring and empowering individuals while promoting the sport of polo to provide equality, pride, inclusion and confidence for those who may face discrimination simply by identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

“This award is a formal recognition of the work we are doing. We strive and support understanding and acceptance of all,” McKenney said. “We are proud to receive this award and continue moving forward with our event’s focus remaining on the desire to increase visible LGBTQ athletes in the sporting world.”

Tickets are available now for the 2022 International Gay Polo Tournament and can be purchased, along with sponsorship packages and additional information, by visiting www.gaypolo.com.

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Feature Stories

Behind The Tournament

Behind The Tournament Many Sponsors Help Propel The Gay Polo League Event To The Next Level

While the organizers and participants are a key part of the International Gay Polo Tournament, it is the sponsors that help to elevate the event to what it is. When the battle cry “the slightest difference makes all the difference” was called, these allies stood up. They invested dollars to support the work that is creating an atmosphere of understanding. They join the organizers, players and fans in looking forward to the largest Gay Polo League tournament to date, with more than 3,000 players, attendees and enthusiasts expected from around the world.

This year’s sponsors include:

Lexus — One of the top ten luxury car brands in the world, Lexus epitomizes class, luxury and imaginative technology. Lexus vehicles have uncompromising style, unmatched potential, and marry intensity with elegance. A priority for Lexus is community equality, which is why the company enthusiastically returns each year to sponsor the tournament.

Douglas Elliman Real Estate — Known for its vast reach, a portfolio unmatched by any other company and one that aligns with the vision of the Gay Polo League, the cause-based brand of Douglas Elliman Real Estate has been a longtime sponsor of the event. The company proudly supports diversity and equality in a meaningful way with an impact that is recognized around the world.

Baccarat — Known for its luxury goods, Baccarat has undergone an exciting rejuvenation over the last few years and bridged the gap between “look don’t touch” philosophies and creating new ways to use the coveted crystal. The company will serve as the GPL Polotini sponsor during the 2022 tournament, which will benefit the onePULSE Foundation. The foundation’s defining mission and healing initiative aligns perfectly with the GPL, including the mutual wish of preventing targeted tragedies and hate from occurring again.

Cherry Knoll Farm — Recognized for excellence in the sport of international show jumping and dressage, CKF is a strong and valued ally to many causes. For years, CKF has sponsored the GPL VIP Pavilion, which creates a world-class experience to spectators attending the International Gay Polo Tournament. CKF’s philanthropy is widely known for supporting childhood education, para dressage athletes and more.

Additional sponsors who propel the event forward include First Republic Bank, Bethesda Hospital, the U.S. Polo Association, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Passport, Discover the Palm Beaches, McKenney Media, the Tackeria, Woodford Reserve, Marshall & Sterling, Emerald Elite, G Racing, RBC Wealth Management and Palm City Polo.

These 18 new and returning sponsors have stepped up in supporting the Gay Polo League’s goal of creating a safe, connected community for LGBTQ athletes and fans.

“Our sponsors proudly share our vision to support and advance equality and diversity for LGBTQ+ athletes and allies. It is because of these sponsors, brands and supportive companies that we continue to create a community of individuals coming together for a fun, light-hearted yet impactful event that is changing the world as we know it,” said Chip McKenney, GPL’s founder and president.

Tickets are available now for the 2022 tournament and may be purchased by visiting www.gaypolo.com.

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Champions In Every Sense Of The Word


Champions In Every Sense Of The Word Gay Polo League Wins Prestigious Award From The Palm Beach County Sports Commission

A champion can be defined as a person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else. While many understand the definition of a champion in relation to “the big game,” this form of champion is someone who truly fights for what they believe in every way, every day. Fighting the fight for equality for more than a decade is the team behind the Gay Polo League. Recently, the community has taken notice.

On April 3, the Gay Polo League will receive the prestigious Palm Beach County Sports Commission “Champion of Equity & Diversity Award” for its work on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender athletes through the game of polo.

Since its inception, the league has worked tirelessly to create an atmosphere that affirms and supports the understanding and acceptance of all individuals regardless of race, sexual preference, sexual identity or gender. The Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, is the only LGBTQ+ sporting event in Palm Beach County and remains so even after more than a decade.

While the Gay Polo League proudly has teams that participate in other leagues and tournaments, there is still much growth on the horizon. The league will continue its work to promote goodwill and camaraderie that extends throughout the game of polo and transcends into other sports and aspects of life.

“We have come such a long way,” Gay Polo League founder Chip McKenney said. “This award speaks volumes to the work we are doing for our friends, neighbors and allies. This means that our sleepless nights and bravery are truly making a difference. We are creating safe spaces, ruffling feathers in the best way possible and inciting positive change!”

The award will officially be bestowed during the 45th annual Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Awards Celebration at the Palm Beach Kennel Club. The Gay Polo League will be the second polo entity recognized by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and will proudly continue its work as change agents advocating understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ people.

McKenney believes that “differences are teachers” and values embracing, celebrating and elevating the benefits of diversity. He encourages the community to continue serving as allies for LGBTQ+ communities and working together to advance equity. While the league’s work is “changing the sport of polo one chukker at a time,” there is still much work to be done.

Learn more about the Gay Polo League at www.gaypolo.com.

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Rönner Is A Lifestyle Brand Inspired By Everything Equestrian

Rönner creates classic equestrian-style collections with a unique, feminine twist. One of the brand’s main focuses are timeless and whimsical prints, all created for passionate people who love horses.

Rönner is a family-owned business, founded by Ines Rönner and her two daughters, Jessica and Carin. It all started with Ines, who instilled a love for horses in Jessica and Carin. They grew up around horses, and this was the background for their initial inspiration.

“The idea was to create something fresh and innovative to everything we saw in the equestrian apparel market,” Ines said.

Horses and everything equestrian are the main inspirations behind the collections. From Sunday polo events, to classic dressage, to the noble-yet-powerful nature of a horse: these are all the canvases to the Rönner collections.

All the prints are hand-drawn, created by artists, blending feminine elements like florals and blooms with classic equestrian motifs.

The brand has three main lines: ride-leisure, lifestyle, and home and gifts.

Ride-leisure focuses on pieces for optimal performance, such as training tops, polo shirts and show shirts created for riding and sport activities, but also for casual outfits, barn to lunches, and leisurely weekends.

The lifestyle line showcases blouses, dresses, shoes and more for a unique and elegant equestrian style.

The home and gift line features a selection of thoughtful options that make perfect presents for the whole riding family and friends, such as tablecloths, stationery, pouches and more.

Rönner is a female-founded company, by women-for women, and it is very important for the company to have an ethical manufacturing process and a meaningful purpose. The craftmanship is socially and environmentally responsible. All the pieces are made with love, care and sensibility by women head of their homes in Colombia. Most of the textiles and materials used by Rönner are upcycled, and the packaging is eco-friendly.

“This is because we care about who makes our designs just as much as who we make them for,” Ines said.

The brand just launched a special collection in collaboration with noted equestrian Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. In unison, they created two main prints, one inspired by Meredith’s horse Shutterfly, and the other a classic equestrian icon with tack and florals. The pieces of the collection are classic and elegant silhouettes with unique prints.

“It was very inspiring to design a collection with such an inspiring and talented woman as Meredith,” Ines said. “Her career as a female rider was the perfect match to our philosophy and believes as a brand.”

Rönner hopes to continue growing the business and working to reach passionate people who love what they do and feel identified with a brand that matches their passion.

“With our pieces and prints, we want to make people feel unique and special, and connected with one common ground: the love for horses,” Ines said.

Discover the Rönner collections at www.ronnerdesign.com.

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