France’s top woman polo player and GPL member on the Cedar Crest Stables Team, Caroline Anier, is pressured with a hook by Nacho Badiola on the Wellington Preservation Coalition Team at the 2013 International Gay Polo Tournament. Photo by Alex Pacheco.
Wellington, FL – October 10, 2013 – Unity Pictures is proud to announce the launch of its first Kickstarter campaign to fund The Gay Polo League Documentary.
The Gay Polo League has an interesting and timely story about gay athletes building a community around a sport where every player is welcome. This documentary is less about polo and more about why there’s a need for a Gay Polo League, and what its presence represents for LGBT and straight athletes.
Worldwide, there is a slowly emerging trend in mainstream sports. Professional athletes are coming out of the closet challenging the age-old belief that there is no place in team sports for gay and lesbian athletes. This is a documentary about playing polo as an openly LGBT athlete, free from the fear of being excluded. It’s a story of unexpected support and acceptance from outside the LGBT community.
Funds from the Kickstarter campaign are slated to cover the first official video shoot in Palm Beach, Florida in late November. That’s when Florida’s polo season begins and the GPL is hosting a three-day polo clinic with polo luminaries Joey Casey (former 7 goals), Charlie Muldoon (5 goals), Misha (3 goals) and Mike Harris. Unity Pictures will capture footage of the serious training it takes to be a competitive player in the dangerous sport of polo, and record interviews with long-time supporters of the GPL.
The Kickstarter campaign will help Unity Pictures attain its goal of finishing the film debt-free. That will allow them to make the film available through as many inexpensive online distribution points as possible, in the United States and around the world.
Part of the mission for this film is to expand the GPL mission:
To bring new players onto the polo field who might not otherwise feel welcome, to share their love of horses and polo, and to have the courage to play “out”.
This documentary will encourage other LGBT athletes, in all sports, to compete as open LGBT community members.
GPL is a community that shares a love for adventure, fun and the challenging sport of polo. GPL is committed to providing members with an enjoyable, supportive and competitive experience.
GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels. GPL trains and competes in mainstream matches and GPL events to share enthusiasm for the sport and change perceptions about the LGBT community.
France’s top women’s player Caroline Anier of Cedar Crest Stables outraces defenders Gordon Ross and Juan Bollini to score one of her three goals.
BOSTON — July 31, 2013 – Unity Pictures, a non-profit media development company that develops compelling and insightful documentary films about unique, diverse American communities, is kicking off a fundraising drive for its documentary on the Gay Polo League.
The Gay Polo League, founded in 2007 in Los Angeles, has been a catalyst for diversity in the sport of polo, the world’s oldest team sport, on the national and international scene.
Since its start, the GPL has grown throughout the United States with four major clubs including Wellington, Fla., the polo capital of the world and home of the GPL’s annual International Tournament; Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
In addition to U.S. players, GPL members include players from several foreign countries including France, England, Argentina, South Africa, Canada and Australia.
Polo is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. because of its diversity and becoming more affordable and accessible. The GPL, women and junior players have helped the sport reach the masses.
According to Forbes Magazine: “Event producers, sponsors and advertisers are betting that polo, already a magnet for the super-rich, can attract a huge audience of average Joes. Polo is being cross-marketed to a cross-section of the global population.”
The GPL is a dedicated and fun-loving group comprised of members of all ages, abilities and professions.
“Along with entertaining audiences, my hope is that by creating this documentary we will reach a much wider audience, and encourage more LGBT athletes to play ‘out’,” said GPL founder Chip McKenney.
“Growing up many of us never had the chance to play team sports,” McKenney said. “The GPL provides a safe place for horse people to enjoy the excitement of competition and camaraderie that comes with team sports.”
Organizers are hoping to raise $250,000 in “crowdfunding” from family and friends, people who are interested in polo, sports and horses, and people with those who are personally invested in supporting LGBT sports and playing “out.”
There are various levels of “Special Thanks” for those interested in funding the documentary with exposure in both the movie and beautiful companion coffee table book.
Additional benefits range from branded clothing and invitations to exclusive sponsor events to Title Card placement at the beginning of the movie as well as in the book’s masthead. Reduced rates on sponsorship of GPL events will also be available.
The Gay Polo League documentary will be distributed throughout the domestic United States and international channels, including Amazon.com, iTunes, Netflix and cable programming focused on sports and LGBT programming.
The film’s premiere is scheduled for the Boston LGBT Film Festival in May, 2014.
GAY POLO LEAGUE FACT SHEET:
*Founded in 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.
*The GPL has grown to four clubs in the United States.
*Attained U.S. Polo Association club status in 2011.
*The fourth annual GPL International Tournament held in April, 2013 in Wellington attracted more than 5,000 spectators, including the Real Housewives of Miami and Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso, the world’s greatest polo player.
*The Gay Polo League has been featured in articles in Compete Magazine, Wellington Magazine, Equine Chronicles Online, Passport Blog, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Chicago Tribune Co., The Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post.
Unity Pictures is a non-profit media development company. Its founders have a 25-year track record in film and digital media production. Based in Boston, our mission is to develop documentary films that tell compelling and insightful stories about unique, diverse American communities.
Despite a driving rainstorm, Team Re/Max’s Gina Padilla brings the ball downfield and scores her team’s first goal. Photos by Alex Pacheco.
WELLINGTON, FL – April 15, 2013 — Gordon W. Ross, playing in less than ideal weather conditions, scored the winning goal to lead Team Re/Max to a 2-1 victory over Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox in the championship final of the fourth annual Gay Polo League International Tournament Senator’s Cup Saturday at rain-soaked Grand Champions Polo Club.
A light rain turned into a thunderous, driving rainstorm late in the opening chukker making conditions challenging for both players and horses.
Despite the wet field and steady rain, Team Re/Max was able to jump out to a 2-0 lead behind goals by Gina Padilla and Ross. Dan Haynia scored for Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox before umpires called the game after one chukker.
It was the second time in tournament history Team Re/Max captured the coveted trophy and third consecutive year Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox finished runner-up.
Ross was named Tournament Most Valuable Player and Haynia was selected as Most Improved Player.
In addition to Ross, Ezequiel Ortiz Berne, Gina Padilla and pro Juan Bollini were members of the winning team.
Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox featured Dan Haynia, Jean-Marc Herrouin, Chip McKenney and 10-goal Piaget pro Miguel Astrada, who replaced Audi pro Jeff Hall in the final.
“We’re happy to walk away with the trophy,” Ross said. “We won the first year and the last two years we were in the consolations which is still fun but it’s always nice to be in the running for the championship. When you get there it’s a wonderful experience.
“That first year was electrifying because it was such a new experience for all of us,” Ross said. “But this is pretty special, too.”
Ross, based in Calgary, Alberta Canada, has also won the 2011 Mercedes AMG Cup, 2010 Canadian Open and Gilget Cup.
“All tournaments are important no matter where they are, but this one is special to win,” Ross said.
Under clear skies on Friday, Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox advanced into the final with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Wellington Coalition on the opening day of the two-day tournament. Gordon W. Ross Team Re/Max advanced with a 5-3 win over Cedar Crest Stables in the other semifinal game.
In front of a record, festive crowd of more than 3,000 spectators, both teams were competitive from the opening throw-in.
Ross has competed in all four GPL tournaments.
“The skill has moved up a level absolutely,” said Ross, rated at 0 goals. “The players have increased in their level of play which is so great. It makes it more safer for all the players.
“We are here to have an experience,” Ross said. “All the teams this year were quite well-balanced. That’s what you like to see. You don’t want to see one dominating team because that’s no fun for anybody. Our game on Friday could have gone either way.”
Ross was thrilled to play with Bollini, a former 8-goal rated player from Argentina.
Looking more like water polo, Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox pro Miguel Astrada comes in to defend Gordon Ross of Team Re/Max
“He’s been great; we love him and we have played with him before,” Ross said. “He’s a great team leader and we enjoyed having him on our team. We strategized; we always do. It’s really important to follow your team leader.”
McKenney, GPL founder and polo player, a member of last year’s winning Gammu Mu team, supported the officials’ decision to call the game even thought it was bittersweet.
“Safety of the horses first and we wanted to make sure no one gets hurt as well,” McKinney said.
“It’s so, so bittersweet,” McKinney said. “First of all four chukkers are always better than one. We almost made it through the weather but it just didn’t cooperate the last few minutes.
“But overall it didn’t seem to dampen anybody’s spirits other than mine because I wanted to play,” McKinney said. “The exciting thing was it was two really great games on Friday and we all came in prepared to win it today. They got a better first chukker off us and they won, fair and square, one goal.”
For the second day in a row, 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, the greatest polo player in the world, and his wife Maria were on hand to cheer on Gordon W. Ross/Team Re/Max.
Berne is a Cambiaso family friend and La Dolfina public relations man. He was a last-minute lineup addition filling in for an injured player who was unable to make the trip.
Berne, making his GPL debut, said he was thrilled to be part of the winning team although it will take a while for him to catch up to Cambiaso’s trophy case.
“This was fun and special and motivates me to play more and learn more,” Berne said.
It was also another huge step for the Gay Polo League, attracting new fans and hopefully, new members.
“Next year will be our fifth year,” McKinney said. “We had 10-goal and 7-goal professionals playing with us and Cambiaso was here watching us. That’s just extraordinary. We had players from Argentina, France and Canada playing. We really are an international event and I couldn’t be more excited. I am thrilled with it.”
The tournament was hosted by Grand Champions Polo Club and Marc and Melissa Ganzi. Melissa Ganzi, newly-elected president of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, selected the well-matched teams and provided most of the ponies for the tournament including Best Playing Pony Baby, ridden by Christine Vermes in the consolation final.
The Gay Polo League, created in 2006, is an international organization and only known gay polo league in the world. Currently, the GPL’s established four U.S. chapters are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Wellington.
GPL members include players from several foreign countries such as France, England, Argentina, South Africa, Canada and Australia.
GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB
WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.
INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget and Polo School at Grand Champions. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox’ Jean-Marc Herrouin outraces three Wellington Coalition defenders to score one of his team-leading three goals. Photos by Alex Pacheco.
Wellington, FL – April 12, 2013 – For the third year in a row, Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox will compete for the coveted Senator’s Cup Trophy in the championship final of the fourth annual Gay Polo League International Tournament Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club.
Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox advanced on Friday with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Wellington Coalition on the opening day of the two-day tournament.
Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox will play Gordon W. Ross Team Re/Max, 5-3 winners over Cedar Crest Stables in the other semifinal game.
The championship final begins 3 p.m. in front of an expected sellout crowd.
Wellington Coalition and Cedar Crest Stables will play for the Founder’s Cup Trophy at 1 p.m.
Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox has finished runner-up the past two years. The third year may just be the charm for the team.
In the opening game, Jean-Marc Herrouin led scoring with three goals including a perfectly placed neck cut shot early in the game and winning goal with two seconds left in regulation time.
Teammate Dan Haynia added two goals, including one on a penalty shot.
Herrouin, based in Los Angeles, is the only returnee off last year’s Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox team.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said Herrouin, who played well on both ends of the field deflecting Wellington Coalition goal attempts while taking Hall’s well-placed passes and scoring.
“It was a great surprise; I am thrilled and happy,” said Herrouin, a sixth-year player. “We all played well and safe and we’re in the finals tomorrow. Jeff Hall was great; we had a meeting and strategized. We thought we had a shot. We just went out and applied all the things we learned.”
GPL founder and polo player Chip McKenney, a member of last year’s winning Gammu Mu team, also played well at back along with pro Jeff Hall for Polo Gear USA/Palm Beach Rox.
“Every year it gets better and better,” McKenney said. “The teams were evenly-matched and the games were incredible. Our team played well as a team. Jeff was amazing; he is so flawless and elegant to play.
“It’s nice to be in the final,” McKenney said. “It’s wonderful to plan it and I am thrilled to enjoy it with everybody. At the end of the day I am also a polo player and I want to win. I have been playing in the desert the last three months preparing literally just for this weekend. I’m glad I did; it seemed to work.
“It wasn’t a runaway victory; it was neck-and-neck and anybody’s game. At the end we eked out with one more goal so we are in tomorrow. It’s going to be a very competitive game. Gordon is a really top-notch player and his team is super strong.”
For Wellington Coalition, last year’s MVP Talbot Logan scored goals while Jack Hoffman and pro Nacho Badiola each scored one goal.
In the second game, Gordon W. Ross/Team Re/Max had a little added incentive playing in front of the world’s greatest polo player, Adolfo Cambiaso, his wife Maria and children Mia and Adolfito, both junior polo players.
Ezequiel Ortiz Berne, a Cambiaso family friend from Argentina, was a late addition to the lineup for an injured player.
Berne, making his GPL debut, played well along with teammates Gordon Ross and pro Juan Bollini, who each had two goals and Gina Padilla, who scored one goal.
“It’s fast but I feel comfortable,” said Berne, who rode some of Cambiaso’s ponies. “Both Adolfo and Maria are my coaches. I started playing polo last year on Adolfo’s farm and I have been playing with Adolfito.
“This was fun; we are in the final,” said Berne, a part-time model who spends holidays in Miami and Wellington and works in public relations for La Dolfina in Argentina.
Added McKenney, “It was more than a thrill to play in front of Adolfo Cambiaso. Not only that but he has invited the GPL to put on a tournament at his place in Argentina and we are going to. It’s awesome.”
Bollini, a member of last year’s winning team and GPL veteran pro player, was impressed with the skill level of the teams this year.
“The players have improved so much and are very competitive,” Bollini said. “The first year they were more at the beginning stage but now they are putting good games together and following game plans.”
France’s top women’s player Caroline Anier of Cedar Crest Stables outraces defenders Gordon Ross and Juan Bollini to score one of her three goals
Bollini marked Frenchwoman Caroline Anier of Cedar Crest Stables throughout the game. Anier more than held her own and scored all three of her team’s goals.
Bollini stole the ball from Anier just as she was about to score a goal in the opening chukker.
“She is a very good, tough player,” Bollini said. “She was rated at four goals. She played very well. I was bumping her but she was bumping me, too. I had to defend her.”
In addition to the games, Saturday’s extravaganza will feature music, food, entertainment including a dressage exhibition, and vendor tents.
The tournament is being hosted by Grand Champions Polo Club and Marc and Melissa Ganzi. Melissa Ganzi, newly-elected president of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, selected the well-matched teams and provided most of the ponies for the tournament.
The Gay Polo League, created in 2006, is an international organization and only known gay polo league in the world. Currently, the GPL’s established four U.S. chapters are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Wellington.
GPL members include players from several foreign countries such as France, England, Argentina, South Africa, Canada and Australia.
Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament Fast Facts
Where: Grand Champions Polo Club
On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road
When: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Time: Polo Matches start at 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Gates open at noon
Tickets: General Admission $25
Rotary Kick-Off Party: Friday, April 12, International Polo Club Pavilion, 3667 120th Ave. S., Wellington, FL. Start Time: 6:30 p.m. (food, dancing and auction). Kick-off party tickets $75. For more information go to www.wellingtonrotary.org or call Maggie Zeller at (561) 715-9262.
Sponsors:
Cedar Crest Stables
Elite meetings and Events
Gordon W. Ross Team – Re/Max
Phelps Media Group
Polo Gear
Wellington Rotary Club
Grand Champions Polo Club
Official Hotel:
Hampton Inn Wellington 561 472 9696
Hampton Inn Lake Worth 561 472 5980 www.Hamptoninn.com
For sponsorship opportunities contact:
Maureen Gross at Phelps Media Group mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com/
561-753-3389
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Wellington, FL – December 13, 2010 – The Gay Polo League (GPL), the world’s only polo league for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual or Transgendered (GLBT) players, will return to Wellington in April of 2011 to host their second International Gay Polo Tournament. The event will be held on Saturday April 2, 2011 at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, FL. This year, half of the money raised from general admission tickets sold will go to support the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.
The GPL is a United States Polo Association (USPA) official club and consists of all levels of polo players, from beginners to professionals. The USPA rates polo players based upon athletic abilities, playing skills, and tournament play time. Beginning at the lowest level “C”, players move up as they acquire knowledge and refine techniques, eventually getting to “B”, “A”, and then 0- 10, respectively. “A 10” is that coveted rating, and is only held by a few players in the world. Those players who established themselves as the best in the world are awarded with the “A 10” rating. Members of all different levels are seen throughout the GPL, as the only skill required for club members is to have a passion for the sport of polo.
After last year’s Gay Polo Tournament, The Village of Wellington (pop. 55,584) amended its Equal Employment Opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination based on both “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” in Village employment. The policy covers the Village’s 258 employees.
