WELLINGTON, FL. – Nearly 2,000 guests from around the world descended on the National Polo Center and other area venues this April to celebrate the return of the LEXUS International Gay Polo Tournament – Presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate (GPL).
The highlight of the event was the Saturday match in which Greenberg Traurig took home top honors. Off the field, the award-winning tailgate competition kept guests entranced as they strutted tent to tent, exploring all that was offered.
The robust itinerary for the 2023 event kicked off with a special Sip & Sense Welcome Dinner on Wednesday, April 5, at Swank Farm hosted by Woodford Reserve. The evening featured a curated dinner by Superchef Darnell Ferguson, with each course expertly paired with a bourbon hand selected by Woodford Reserve Ambassador Karl Lipscomb. Thursday, April 6th, guests trekked east to Nomad Restaurant in West Palm Beach for the Sponsor’s VIP Reception. Players and special guests gathered for camaraderie, joie-de-vivre, and much fun before the weekend’s festivities fully began.
Everyone’s favorite pre-event, the GPL Polotini Wigstock cocktail reception, took place on Friday, April 7, at the National Polo Center and featured a hair-raising extravaganza and performance by Roxxxy Andrews, who can be recognized from the appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The “main event” culminated with Team Greenberg Traurig (Jesse Lee Eller, Peter Secor, Ryan Cronin-Prather, and Juan Diego Rizo Patron) defeating McKenney Media (Eva Marquard, David Bouclier, Aurelien Crochon, and Constant Jacquot) by 8-6 after the fourth chukker ended tied 5-5 and the match went to a shoot-out.
In the Founder’s Cup, Woodford Reserve (Adrian Pia, Joaquin de la Piedra, Gustavo Larossa, and Agustin Arellano) bested Cherry Knoll Farm (Don Bramer, Tyler Thompson, Tony Natale, and Lala Laplacette) by 10-3, with Joaquin de la Piedra scoring an impressive 8 goals.
Taking home the MVP honors were Joaquin de la Piedra of Woodford Reserve, who took home a Romero Britto art piece for his efforts, Constant Jacquot was awarded a Casablanca helmet and Juan Diego Rizo Patron, who received a watch presented by J Pacetti Fine Jewels. Durazno, owned by Mario Dino and played by Juan Diego Rizo Patron, took home the Best Playing Pony blanket donated by the Tackeria.
The tailgate competition, sponsored by What2WearWhere, also yielded some spectacular results. Judges Karen Klopp, Ron Neal, and Tony Corey rounded the field to take in a colorful and imaginative array of tailgate displays. The Best in Show award went to an extravagantly pink Barbie-themed display by Tim Minerd, while Emerald Elite Senior Care took the prize for the best corporate tailgate. Cheer Miami won the best theme, and William Vertucci’s display was named best dressed.
Once the action on the field was over, guests headed for the Road to the Kentucky Derby afterparty sponsored by Woodford Reserve, Churchill Downs, and Louisville Tourism to sip champagne bourbon cocktails and dance until sunset.
GPL founder Chip McKenney, who was overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude as he celebrated the largest and most well-attended event to date, shared, “As our world continues to evolve, we remain a constant at the forefront, working to create inclusiveness and equality in not only polo and equestrian sports, but in the community as a whole. We are honored to have so many friends and allies join us year after year and look forward to the impact this event continues to have.”
Acting on its vision of providing equality, pride, inclusion, and confidence for those who face discrimination simply due to having non-traditional sexual or gender identities, the tournament raised monies to benefit the OnePULSE Foundation. This year, this GPL event raised $72,000, with more pledges continuing to roll in, for the nonprofit organization, born after the tragic events that unfolded at Pulse Nightclub, where 49 people lost their lives in 2016. GPL monies work to support efforts by onePULSE to fund scholarships while creating a sanctuary for and honoring the victims who lost their lives.
“While triumphs in financial impact, anticipation, and attendance each year are always highlights, it is the thousands of athletes, supporters, and attendees celebrating diversity together as one that is truly what makes this event so special,” ended McKenney.
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For additional information on the 2023 LEXUS International Gay Polo Tournament Presented by Douglas Elliman or to learn more about the Gay Polo League, please visit www.gaypolo.com.
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