Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament Raises The Bar For LGBTQ Awareness

Over the past eight years, the annual International Gay Polo Tournament has grown from a local polo event to a world-renowned four-day festival celebrating the “sport of kings” and its diverse group of players.

Under the direction of Chip McKenney and his Gay Polo League (GPL), the event offers the opportunity to experience fast-paced action, as well as encourages inclusion and charity, with proceeds from the kickoff Polotini Party benefiting high-risk LGBTQ youth, primarily in the areas of education, homelessness and health.

In 2018, the ninth annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament and all its festivities will return to Wellington from April 5-8 at the world-class International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year, the tournament promises to be better than ever before, with both LGBTQ and straight players coming from around the world to compete and support the mission of the Gay Polo League.

“Every year, the International Gay Polo Tournament gains valuable momentum. This year, we welcome new players, new sponsors and new fans,” said McKenney, founder and president of the Gay Polo League. “We also welcome returning players, sponsors and friends. We are vastly appreciative of the collective force behind our growth and recognize all who contribute in significant ways to the evolution of the GPL.”

The Gay Polo League, the organizer and namesake of the tournament, is honored to formally support Compass, an LGBTQ community organization based in Lake Worth, during this year’s tournament. The Polotini Party, the kickoff event this year themed as “Wigstock,” will be held Friday, April 6 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington, with the net proceeds of the evening donated to Compass’ Youth Services programs for the benefit of at-risk LGBTQ youth. Specifically, GPL hopes to raise the money needed to purchase several new computers for the program, as well as purchase health kits and food/shelter vouchers.

“Currently, there are an estimated 1.6 million homeless youth in the United States. Of that number, 40 percent identify as LGBTQ, a staggering and disconcerting number of youth,” McKenney said. “Sadly, LGBTQ youth are at greater risk for suicide, murder, drug addiction, sexual violence and other horrible threats young people should not be susceptible to. GPL intends to do something to help where it can, and however we can. Compass does a wonderful job helping LGBTQ youth, and this year our goal is to support their efforts.”

Compass’ mission is to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the LGBTQ community, a concept that falls in line with the foundation of the Gay Polo League. The International Gay Polo Tournament is a lively event that celebrates diversity in all its forms, making Compass a prime beneficiary of the weekend’s funds. By emboldening local youth, promoting pride in the community, and acting as an educator, advocate, health service provider and focal point for community organizing, Compass promotes awareness of the caring nature of its eclectic community.

“For nearly 30 years, Compass has provided lifesaving programs and services promoting the mental, physical and emotional health and well-being of LGBTQ youth in Palm Beach County. Despite recent progress, LGBTQ youth still face significant disparities compared to non-LGBTQ youth,” said Julia Murphy, chief development officer at Compass.  “Compass is partnering with the Gay Polo League to expand services through education, health services and addressing homelessness for LGBTQ youth in Palm Beach County. Our youth need us, and you can make a difference by getting involved in the Gay Polo League’s Polotini Party.”

Not simply a polo tournament or an LGBTQ fundraiser, the ninth annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament is unique in that it bridges the gap between the two.

With the philanthropic nature of the event one of the main catalysts for support, special thanks are necessary for the numerous players who make the trek from all corners of the country, and some from across the globe, to participate in the tournament. Their unwavering commitment to both the sport of polo, as well as the solidarity of the LGBTQ community, speaks to their values and dedication to the important message of inclusion for all people.

True to the nature of both GPL and Compass, players of varying sexualities will be playing in the fast-paced polo matches. “When I think back to watching GPL’s first tournament in Wellington, I had no idea then that polo would become such an integral part of my life. At first, I was just eager to learn to ride and try this amazing sport. Now I feel fortunate to play most of the year with super people and wonderful horses, improving my game while having a blast,” said Phil Tremo, a longtime player and supporter of the GPL. “Helping to organize the GPL tournament came easily for me, as I really enjoy meeting such a diverse group of people in Wellington and beyond.”

Often regarded as one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year, the International Gay Polo Tournament added “award-winning event” to its repertoire in 2017 when it was honored as the LGBTQ Sporting Event of the Year by Connect Sports at the Connect Conference, held in New Orleans last August. The conference’s Sports Tourism Excellence Awards included the “LGBTQ Sporting Event of the Year” category for the first time, making GPL the inaugural winner, a testament to the event’s impact on not just the polo community, but the national LGBTQ and sporting communities at large.

The locally owned Land Rover Palm Beach adds to the appeal of this year’s tournament, having signed on as the title sponsor for the spring season’s hottest social and sporting event. For more than 30 years, Land Rover has been a longstanding global supporter of equestrian events, specifically in the disciplines of show jumping and eventing, and Land Rover Palm Beach’s partnership with the GPL tournament marks a stronger presence of the brand in both the polo and LGBTQ spheres.

Land Rover Palm Beach, a dealership known for its unsurpassed customer service offering a product known for luxury, elegance, performance and durability, is a premier community asset and the perfect pairing for the ninth annual International Gay Polo Tournament.

“This event is a natural fit for us,” said Matt Atkins, general manager of Land Rover Palm Beach. “After attending last year and hearing how much fun our staff and customers had, we knew we wanted to return for more fun. Land Rover Palm Beach is ecstatic to be the title sponsor for this year’s event.”

Sure to be a festive four days, the ninth annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament is open to the public, and all are invited to attend. Both polo veterans and those new to the sport can appreciate the incredible skill and talent of the players and their ponies, all while standing up for the worthwhile cause championed by the Gay Polo League.

For tickets to the ninth annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament, visit www.gaypolo.com.