Team spirit

A catalyst for diversity in the sport, the Gay Polo League promotes positive perceptions as well as friendship both on and of the feld, says Darlene Ricker

Keen to expand its reach, the polo world has been stepping up its efforts to attract players from all sectors of society. Leading the charge is Chip McKenney, founder and president of the Gay Polo League (GPL), who has a desire to share what he calls ‘a love of adventure, fun and polo’ while at the same time challenging perceptions of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

The only LGBT polo organisation in the world, the GPL represents a cross-section of ages, abilities and riding experience. Its focus is on providing the LGBT community with the opportunity to learn and play polo, as well as promoting sportsmanship. ‘The response from our own community has been one of complete fascination, and within the broader polo world, it has been amazing,’ says McKenney. ‘We’ve had nothing but support.’ Through its enthusiasm for the sport, he says, the group fosters both positivity and cameraderie.

Advocating genuinely equal rights, the GPL is open to all. ‘Our sexual orientation describes us, but it doesn’t define us,’ says McKenney. Members actively train for and compete in both GPL events and mainstream matches, with the highlight of the year being the group’s flagship event, the Annual International Gay Polo League Tournament – a USPA-recognised competition that, in 2015, was held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Along with a host of other professional players from the USA and Europe, Sunny Hale played in the sixth annual tournament. She believes the GPL is an organisation whose time has come. ‘I truly believe in what Chip is promoting – fun with friends and great polo – and applaud his efforts,’ she says. ‘As a straight woman, I was really honoured to be asked to participate at this year’s event.’

Fellow professional Tiffany Busch, who also competed, notes that the event really showcased the spirit of the GPL. ‘Everyone has such an upbeat attitude,’ she says. ‘And this is the kind of polo I love to play. Everybody’s smiling and, whether you win or lose, it doesn’t matter because you’re all having such a good time.’ The league has made major strides since its inception seven years ago. It has four clubs in the United States – in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Florida – and a growing and diverse international base, with members drawn from as far afield as China, Argentina France, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Australia and South Africa. In addition to its own annual tournament, the GPL fields teams in open tournaments across the country and discussions are underway to bring GPL events to other regions of the world.

In June, McKenney will be a speaker at the 8th annual GNetwork 360 international LGBT tourism conference in Argentina, which is co-organised by the National Institute of Tourism and the Argentina Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. His presentation will focus on the vision and future of the Gay Polo League and his plans to stage LGBT polo events around the globe. The GPL welcomes new members – for more information, visit gaypolo.com

In this year’s Tailgate Awards at the 6th Annual International GPL Tournament, Kevin Clark’s restaurantthemed booth won the prize for Best Cuisine