Ron Steur and Idts

Wellington, FL- The Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington. This year, the event will feature several exhibition performances during the break between the polo matches.

 

Ron Steur and his beautiful Friesian stallion, named Itds, will perform an upbeat musical freestyle to Pricilla, Queen of the Desert with the help of a roller derby team, who will escort him onto the polo field. Steur and the 10-year-old Itds, his "fairy-tale dream-horse" stallion, will present, what is expected to be, an unforgettable seven-minute routine.

 

A Dutch dressage rider, Steur specializes in Friesian horses, competing and exhibiting with them in dressage, driving, in-hand competitions, and tricks. The breed is known for its athleticism and versatility. He performed to an audience of 30,000 at the opening ceremonies at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY to rave reviews.

 

"I think every Friesian has something unique," said Steur. "That is what's fun about my work as a trainer. I come across a lot of unique Friesians. One may have less of a drive for dressage and is more suited for pleasure. Some really excel at tricks. My specialty is working with special Friesians and discovering what kind of gift they have then finding them the right home."

 

In addition to working as a trainer and showman, Steur is developing an organization, which he hopes to promote through his exhibition at the International Gay Polo Tournament. The currently nameless organization's goals are to be two-fold. First, Steur wants to connect corporations with the Friesian horses in order to promote the breed and their unique qualities. Secondly, he wants to help combat suicide in young gay people by creating crisis safe houses.  

 

  

 

"I want to set up small demonstrations for companies for something unique at corporate events and celebrations. Through that work I hope to connect with investors," explained Steur. "When a company invests in the horse, the horse is automatically a part of the promotion team. The businesses that are investing in the horses have events where they celebrate 'our' horses."

 

He plans to set up safe-houses where young gay men and women can go if in need of a place to escape an environment of persecution and negativity. Steur explained that the Friesians would serve as part of the therapeutic process.

 

"The Friesian horse is going to be a part of therapy," said Steur. "The Friesian horse loves humans and gives unconditional love, no matter what. I believe there are still people who hide being gay for many years and come close to the point of committing suicide."

 

Steur explained that he wants the organization to not only help people be safe, but to them live up to their full potential, just as he helps his horses.  

 

  

 

"There is also coaching, it's not just the momentum to get better, but to live. If they have talent- it's the same as the horses. If they have a dream, I want to see that person succeed and do what they can. I think through my organization, that is what I will try to do."

 

With his performance at the International Gay Polo Tournament, Steur hopes to make connections to strengthen the development of his organization and make his dreams of helping people through Friesians become a reality.

 

"I work with this phenomenal breed-the Friesian horse. They are unique and being gay is unique and I don't see a difference. I think it's my turn to make the world a better place."

GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels. GPL trains and competes in mainstream matches and events while sharing enthusiasm for the sport, to change perceptions about our community.