Pennsylvania for Pride Polo pounds the turf this Saturday at the Tinicum Park Polo Club in Erwinna.
The Bucks County event is the first of its kind in the northeastern U.S.
“Pride Polo represents an exciting opportunity for the Gay Polo League (GPL) to advance its mission of elevating awareness and visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes – not only in polo – but throughout the broader sports community,” said Chip McKenney, Gay Polo founder.
GPL includes members from 15 countries and has raised over $450,000 for charitable partners since its 2006 inception.
On Saturday, players will compete in teams of four, hailing from Argentina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and San Francisco. McKenney said each team of four is made up of one professional and three amateur players and that polo – along with other equine sports – are the only athletic competitions in which mixed genders play on the same teams.
“A lot of the players are allies who want to play in our event….To have allies who want to play … puts into motion [the same inclusion] for other sports, too. You don’t see that kind of openness in other sports,” McKenney explained.
The Tinicum Polo Club event runs from noon to 4 p.m.; the first match is at 1 p.m.; the second match is at 3 p.m., according to a New Hope Celebrates press release.
Everyone is “warmly welcomed to compete,” which means those who identify as LGBTQ+ – as well as those who do not – reinforces “our commitment to inclusion, diversity and the belief that sport should be a place where everyone belongs,” McKenney said.
Polo ponies are thoroughbred horses, which average about 1,200 pounds in weight and stand about 15.3 hands. Polo runs with “open goals” and a polo field is nine times the size of a football field. Time intervals in polo are called chukkers and last about seven and a half minutes long.
“In this Year of the Fire Horse, every thrilling goal and galloping stride is a testament to the team of remarkable athletes – both human and equine. GPL is changing perceptions in the LGBTQ+ community, athletics and society at large, one chukker at a time,” McKenney said.
If you go:
What: Pennsylvania for Pride Polo: Where Pride Meets the Polo Field inaugural event. Proceeds will benefit New Hope Celebrates and Gay Polo League. Attendees are invited to dress in polo-inspired attire or festive Pride fashion and experience a unique afternoon in Bucks County.
Where: Tinicum Park Polo Club, 961 River Rd. (Route 32) Erwinna inside Tinicum Park.
When: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., polo matches begin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, September 12.
Cost: General admission $40 per person; Rainbow Rail Tailgate, $400 for table of eight; VIP New Hope Celebrates Pride Pavilion $120 per person; VIP table for eight $900. For tickets, visit here.
