Wellington, FL- April 2,2011 – The Second Annual International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by Grand Champions Polo Club, was held today, April 2, at the beautiful Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, FL. This event, in its second year, was a huge success both on and off the field with both players and spectators enjoying a fun day of exciting polo competition.

Two matches were held Friday morning to decide which teams would play when on Saturday. Team Palm Beach Rox/Polo Gear and Team Phelps Media group proved victorious over their opponents: Team Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue and Team Wellington Equestrian Realty. After being named Friday’s winners, Team Palm Beach Rox/Polo Gear USA and Team Phelps Media Group competed for the ultimate bragging rights and the title of GPL tournament winner in today’s 3:00 p.m. game.

The first game of the day began at 1:00 p.m., as the consolation game of the tournament. Team Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue and Team Wellington Equestrian Realty faced off for third and fourth place honors. After four chukkers of polo, scores were tied at two goals apiece. Talbot Logan from Wellington Equestrian Realty scored two goals during regulation, while John Wigdahl and Professional player Joey Casey each had one for Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue. The officials decided to have a shoot off to decide the tie game, where each player got a shot on goal. Team Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue proved the best, as they scored two more goals than Wellington Equestrian Realty to land them with the game’s win and third place in the tournament.

Team Phelps Media Group (PMG), led by 9-goaler Lolo Castagnola, edged Team Palm Beach Rox/ Polo Gear USA 6-5 to win the championship game played in front of almost 2,000 spectators at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Castagnola scored immediately in the game to put Team PMG on the board, and Team Palm Beach Rox/ Polo Gear USA scrambled to catch up. At the end of the second chukker, Dwight Tran attempted to break the 2-2 tie game with a plenty shot that was eventually tapped in by Castagnola, giving Team PMG the lead of 3 goals to 2. Castagnola scored again off a long drive, giving Team PMG a two-goal lead.

Tom Landry for Team Palm Beach Rox/Polo Gear USA retaliated, adding another goal to the board, getting his team one goal closer to the victory. Landry was on fire, and scored immediately again for his team, to tie the match at 4 goals each. Team PMG answered, taking over the lead yet again to keep the game exciting for the many spectators who came out to enjoy the day’s events.

Christine Finerty, the only female to play this weekend, added her name to the scoreboard, as she hit a ball through to score for Team PMG, taking them to their second two-goal lead of the day. In the last 30 seconds of the fourth chukker, Team Palm Beach Rox/Polo Gear USA’s Professional answered Finerty, but with time running out, Team PMG won the game and the weekend’s tournament. They were crowned the winners of the second annual International Gay Polo Tournament, and presented with the Senator’s Cup.

GPL President and founder Chip McKenney, who played on Team Palm Beach Rox/Polo Gear USA commented during the awards ceremony, “What a great day for Polo in the Polo Capital, Wellington!” McKenney, who lives in Los Angeles, continued, “This is some of the best polo we’ve played and we have had a great time in Wellington!”

“Everything about this weekend was amazing, the ponies, the pros, the crowd, the field. We started a great tradition last year, and know that this event will continue for years to come. It has done incredible things for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered communities and we couldn’t be happier. Thank you again for an incredible day!”

Each of the four teams was anchored by a professional player: 9-Lolo Castagnola (Team Phelps Media Group), 9-goaler Nachi Heguy (Team Wellington Equestrian Realty), 6-goaler Juan Bollini (Team Palm Beach Rox/ Polo Gear USA) and 4-goaler Joey Casey (Team Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue).

Winning team members Jean-Marc Herrouin, Christine Finerty and Dwight Tran all commented after the awards ceremony, “We had such a great time, and played very well as a team. We all feel as though we are coming away better players. The ponies were great and playing with such talented professionals was awesome!” Dwight Tran was also named Most Improved Player of the Tournament.

Today’s tournament MVP Award was presented to Tom Landry, who played for Team Palm Beach Rox/ Polo Gear USA. One of the ponies Landry played, named Baby, was awarded Best Pony for the tournament. The Founder’s award was presented to South Florida GPL President and longtime player, John Wigdahl who was a member of the Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue Team.

A special award was also given out this year from Gracie Street Interior Design’s Douglas Mutch for the best tailgate set up. The award was presented to the Lilly Pulitzer tailgate space, which featured the Lilly Jeep Wrangler, along with the day’s best spread of food, beverages and accessories.

“It is such a pleasure and an honor to have this event in Wellington,” Mutch told the crowd during the trophy ceremony. “This is so much fun, and adding a tailgate winner just makes the day for the crowd!”

Among those in attendance were Glenn V. Atkinson, whom today’s trophy is dedicated to, and Wellington Mayor Darryl Bowen, along with carloads of tailgaters, polo enthusiasts and horse loves from across South Florida and the United States.

2nd Annual International Gay Polo League Tournament Fast Facts:

Event: The International Gay Polo League’s (GPL) 2nd Annual International Polo Tournament in Wellington, FL

What: The GPL Tournament will took place during the first week of April. The tournament fielded four teams, each of which was comprised of GPL players and anchored by a high-goal professional.

Who is GPL: GPL is the sole international polo league to be primarily comprised of lesbian and gay players. Founded to enable gay men and women to share their interest in this unique sport, GPL has created a community of passionate, like-minded athletes. GPL’s mission is to provide the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community with the opportunity to develop and refine the necessary skills for participating in this exceptional sport. To achieve its mission, GPL continues to promote participation in amateur competitions and foster fellowship and goodwill among all members.

Where: Grand Champions Polo Club
Located at the corner of Lake Worth Road and South Shore Boulevard

When: Saturday, April 2, 2011

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Presenting Sponsor: Grand Champions Polo Club

Platinum Sponsors: Polo Gear USA, Phelps Media Group, PhelpsSports.com, and Campement d’Ours

Team Sponsors: Polo Gear USA and Palm Beach Rox, Wellington Equestrian Realty, Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue and Phelps Media Group

Media Sponsors: Passport Magazine, Compete Magazine, South Florida Gay News, Mark Magazine, The Florida Agenda, JumpOnMarksList.com, Wellington Town Crier

Champagne Sponsor: Veuve Clicquot

Catering Sponsor: International Polo Club Caterer

Additional Sponsors Include: Russian River Caviar, Brown Forman brands including La Herradura Tequila, Rock Star Caterers

VIP Tent Sponsor: IEquine.com

Charitable Affiliation: Compass, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and The Rotary Club of Wellington

Honorary Chairs: Marc and Melissa Ganzi

For more information about the GPL or for sponsorship opportunities please contact:

The Gay Polo League
Website: www.GayPolo.com
Phone: 561-753-3389
Fax: 561-753-3386

Gay Polo League
C/O PMG
12230 Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 214
Wellington, Florida 33414