The sixteenth annual GPL International Gay Polo Tournament will take another huge step in emphasizing diversity in the sport of polo at Patagones Polo Club April 25.
LGBTQ and pro players from around the world will compete in one of Palm Beach County’s biggest polo events. It is expected to attract more than 1,000 spectators from all walks of life.
The Gay Polo League (GPL), created by polo player Chip McKenney in 2006, is the only LGBTQ polo organization in the world, dedicated to producing high-end LGBTQ polo events and experiences. With all four yearly GPL tournaments, including the flagship Wellington event, the GPL is changing perceptions in the LGBTQ community, athletics, and society at large.
“Sixteen years is insane,” McKenney said. “It’s a great event. We have expanded and now do four events a year. We have our flagship event and then always do one in Europe, Argentina and we have a floating one that goes to various sites such as Menlo and Lexington. We have a really solid group of great people and always attracting new people. We live in this world where anything is possible.”
The GPL has raised more than $400,000 for charitable causes. Last year it raised $50,211 to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
This year the tournament will benefit Equality Florida with proceeds supporting the organization’s Safe & Healthy Schools Project. The initiative focuses on creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments for LGBTQ students across the state, emphasizing issues such as bullying, social isolation, and mental health challenges.
Four teams, comprised of 16 international players, will compete. They feature 7-goaler Gringo Colombres, fresh off the U.S. Open where he played for Clearwater; local pro favorites Brandon Phillips, Pablo Dorignac, and Michel Dorignac; and Kareem Rosser.
Rosser is an award-winning author and collegiate polo champion known for breaking barriers in the sport. He led Colorado State University to the 2015 national championship, the school’s first in 16 years, and was named Intercollegiate Player of the Year. He captained the first all-black team to win the National Interscholastic Championship. He was recently named Executive Director of Philadelphia-based Work To Ride, a community-based program that helps urban youth through activities centered around horsemanship, equine sports, and education.
GPL International Gay Polo Tournament Rosters:
- Cherry Knoll Farm: Gina Padilla, Gus Larrosa, Chip McKenney, Brandon Phillips.
- Goshen Hill: Pete Grover, Richard Prather, Kareem Rosser, Pablo Dorignac.
- Greenburg Traurig: Rachel Spencer, Jill Hunt, Kelli McLean, Gringo Colombres.
- Melzer/Lorenzo Compass: William Ellis, Peter Secor, Lily Laurent, Michel Dorignac.
Festivities begin April 23 at GPL Polotini’s Wigstock, a festive kick-off event complete with music, dancing, open bar, and entertainment at Mary Lou’s in West Palm Beach. Guests dress in bold outfits topped by various colored wigs for the Wig Contest that awards the winner two roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the United States courtesy of Delta Airlines.
On April 24, action begins with qualifying games at 10:30 a.m. at Patagones Polo Club. Winners advance Saturday to the championship Senators Cup at 3 p.m. and runners-up will play the Founders Cup game at 1 p.m. On Friday evening, the VIP Sponsors’ invitation-only Black Tie Dinner will take place.
Award presentations will follow each game and will include Most Valuable Player, Best Goal, Best Playing Pony, Best Dressed, and Best Tailgate. There will also be a Flags of Nation procession, Parade of Teams, and performances by Miami and Fort Lauderdale cheer squads.
For tickets for Thursday’s Wigstock and Saturday’s games visit gaypolo.com. GPL Polo is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Gates open at noon. Patagones Polo Club is located at 4659 120th Avenue South, Wellington, 33414.
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