GPL Reflects On 15 Years Celebrating Diversity In Wellington
By Rebecca Baldridge
As the Gay Polo League prepares to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the International Gay Polo Tournament in Wellington, it’s a good time to reflect on the enormity of what GPL founder Chip McKenney has achieved.
McKenney’s determination and leadership have built a singular organization that challenges stereotypes, promotes equality and expands access to a sport long considered elite. And while it may be the Gay Polo League, he stressed that the GPL is inclusive, open to anyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
“Our goal is to offer a rare space where everyone, LGBTQ+ and allies, feel comfortable being their authentic selves,” McKenney said. “We welcome others as we wish to be welcomed, and offer a safe, family-friendly space where everyone is free to enjoy the most beautiful of sports.”
McKenney also emphasized that the GPL would not exist if so many people along the way hadn’t demonstrated their commitment to inclusivity by contributing their support. “From the very beginning, I was lucky enough to meet wonderful people who wanted to help and be part of GPL’s evolution,” he said. “I’m thankful for the many people who have contributed to making the league what it is today, and I’m grateful that we can count on so much support as GPL continues to grow and evolve.”
Among those longstanding members is Jesse Lee Eller, CEO of Everbright Talent. “I discovered the Gay Polo League while searching for a community where my love for polo and my values could intersect,” Eller said. “From my very first match, I felt a profound sense of belonging and camaraderie that went far beyond the sport itself. Playing with GPL has enriched my life by introducing me to a vibrant and supportive community where authenticity is celebrated both on and off the field. It’s not just about polo; it’s about the friendships, shared experiences, and the joy of being part of something that champions inclusivity and passion.”
Through its visibility and advocacy, GPL sends a powerful message. It demonstrates how traditions can evolve, and how inclusivity can enrich even the most exclusive environments. It’s a shining example for other sports and organizations dedicated to the ideals of equity, diversity and equality.
All it took was one polo lesson. No, not even. Halfway through his first lesson, former show jumper McKenney pulled up his pony and had an epiphany. “Polo is a fantastic sport for gay people. I’m going to start a gay polo league,” he recalled thinking.
That was nearly 20 years ago. Looking at the organization today, it’s obvious that when McKenney has a brainwave, he makes things happen. From a few guys getting together for lessons at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, the GPL has grown to become the world’s only global LGBTQ+ polo league.
As a team sport, polo would offer a bonding experience that many gay men had missed out on during their school years. A gay polo league would create a safe and inclusive space to experience competition and camaraderie on the field.
With the idea firmly taken root, McKenney wasted no time getting the ball rolling. He called two friends on his way home from that first lesson, and they called two friends. In no time, a group of enthusiastic gay men and women were gathering monthly for lessons, arena polo, clinics and tailgates at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. With a fervent belief in building a solid foundation, McKenney focused heavily on skill-building clinics. The hard work paid off, and in 2008, the GPL was invited to play in a grass tournament at the Menlo Polo Club.
“We were so excited, you would have thought we were playing in the U.S. Open,” he recalled. “There we were in our shiny new boots and pristine whites, ready for action.”
The GPL not only fielded three teams but won the tournament, and the program was expanded to include three-day clinics. By 2009, the GPL had produced tournaments at many California polo clubs.
Not one to settle for the status quo, McKenney was thinking bigger. His ambitions were grand; he was determined that the GPL should play in Wellington, the center of polo during the winter high-goal season.
A conversation with Mason Phelps of the Phelps Media Group led to an article about the GPL. Intrigued, Polo Hall of Famer Joey Casey set out to help make their Wellington dreams come true. He introduced the GPL to Melissa Ganzi, owner of the Grand Champions Polo Club, and Argentine polo professional Juan Bollini.
“In the early years Joey, Melissa and Juan were incredible, introducing us to a superlative quality of polo that elevated our vision,” McKenney said.
The first International Gay Polo tournament took place at Grand Champions in 2010, and with enthusiastic support from the Ganzis, called Grand Champions home for the next four years.
In 2015, the tournament moved to the International Polo Club, the most famous polo venue in the United States. The storied Field One is where the world’s top professionals vie for glory.
“The GPL has allowed me to meet wonderful people from all walks of life and make friends who have become like family,” said Peter Secor, a longtime GPL member and executive with Harry Winston. “But winning on Field One is a crowning achievement for any polo player. There’s nothing like it.”
The league produced its annual tournament there for the next eight years.
In 2024, the tournament moved to the Patagones Polo Club, a breathtaking property where guests can enjoy spectacular outdoor art installations, as well as fast and open polo, an ever-expanding tailgate competition and luxurious hospitality.
Today, the Gay Polo League has welcomed players from more than 15 countries around the globe and has produced tournaments in London and St. Tropez. This July, the GPL will host its first ever tournament in Chantilly, France. The league also organizes an annual trip to Argentina, which includes the final of the Argentine Open, and offers members a chance to play for a week in Pilar, the polo capital of the world.
As the International Gay Polo Tournament prepares to celebrate this year’s milestone, it’s important to remember that the GPL is also deeply committed to its mission of giving back.
Over the past 15 years in Wellington, the organization has raised a total of more than $357,800 for organizations such as SAGE, OnePulse and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The 2025 event will once again support the Elton John AIDS Foundation, hoping to top the $111,000 raised last year.
Learn more about the Gay Polo League at www.gaypolo.com.
