Palm Beach County had tons to celebrate last weekend. In addition to Easter festivities, PBC also held their annual Gay Polo Tournament.
This year marked the thirteenth time GPL has held the Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament. Douglas Elliman Real Estate was the presenting sponsor. Lexus returned as the title sponsor.
The beloved tournament took place at the Land Rover Palm Beach International Polo Club in Wellington, America’s only high goal polo venue.
“Today we will laugh, cheer, greet and meet friends, new and old, and enjoy the day together in an open, safe, and festive environment”, said GPL President and Founder Chip KcKenney. “Today we will remind us of the value of friendship, the power of joy, and the importance of kindness.”
GPL’s tournament featured four teams battling it out on the Isla Carroll West Fieldfield for the Founder’s Cup and Senator’s Cup trophies. These teams were from Palm Beach County and beyond. The teams represented were Greenberg Traurig, McKenney Media who made their GPL debut, Cherry Knoll Farm, and Woodford Reserve. Teams rocked jerseys that were designed by Woodford Reserve Player and artist Gus LaRossa, who is married to Chip McKenney. There were some new updates on the teams this year. All fourteen GPL Polo Players are members of the LGBT community. Two are wonderful allies to the LGBT community. Five of the GPL Polo Players made their debut, and the teams represented seven countries. Those countries are Argentina, France, Netherlands, Germany, Peru, Spain and the United States.
Before the tournament started, Bermuda native and singer Ki-Juan Minors sang the national anthem. Minors is no stranger to the Equestrian world. He is also a professional showjumping trainer. Gus Whitelaw returned this year as the official announcer for the tournament. This is the third time the West Palm native has been the announcer for GPL.
GPL’s world famous tailgate competition was in full swing. For the first time ever, Woodforest Reserve had a tropical tent that was equipped with celebrity and social media influencers like Tiffany Fantasia, Sam Paige and Paul Steiner. There was a barbie tent that came with a larger-than-life box that guests could take a picture of. Fans of “The Golden Girls” were in for a treat when they saw “The Golden Gays” tent by Emerald Elite LGBT Senior Home Care. One of the most interesting props came from Palm Beach Human Rights Council and Bill Bone Law. They had a man made volcano with lava to match their Tiki theme. It was created by members of their Smart Ride Team and married duo Juan and Catalina Orellana.
“I’m very excited about our volcano today,” said Orellana. “We thought it would be a good addition to our theme. My wife and I had fun putting this together. Took my some time to create it. Hopefully it holds up and the lava comes out once we add the dry ice. Happy to see so many creative themes here today.”
GPL’s Polotini Friday night Wigstock party was a blast as well. It was held at the National Polo Center located in Wellington. 2023 Twenty twenty-three saw the introduction of the Joyce M. McKenney “Best Wig Award”, which was named after Chip McKenney’s mother and long supporter of GPL. She passed away last December. At the end of the night, Germany native and McKenney Media Player Eva Marquand took home the award for her fabulous wig.
The party was a benefit for onePULSE Foundation, which “is a sanctuary of quiet reflection and love dedicated to honoring the senseless loss of innocent life and remembering the horrible attack that occurred on June 12, 2016,” according to their website.
“This year’s event feels really important considering the current climate in our state and in our country for LGBTQ people”, says McKenney. “For us to have a larger event and be more visible is key to our mission about elevating LGBT athletes with diversity and inclusion. Thank you to all people who work tirelessly to bring this special day to fruition.”
GPL raised a total of $100,000. The Gay Polo League (GPL) is the only LGBTQ-identified polo league in the world. Since its initial founding in 2006, GPL has built an impressive international network of LGBT polo players and dedicated enthusiasts in 14 countries.
Founders’ Cup: Greenberg Traurig
Senators’ Cup: Greenberg Traurig
MVP: Joaquín De La Piedra (Woodford Reserve)
MVP: Constant Jacquot (McKenney Media)
MVP: Juan Diego Rizo Patron
Best Pony: Dazzlio
Best in Show Tailgate: Tim Minerd & Greg Romanczyk
Best Corporate: Emerald Elite Care
Best Drink: Douglass Elliman
Best Food: Douglass Elliman
Best Dressed: Billy Vitucci
Best Theme: Miami Cheer and Fort lauderdale Cheer
