Players

"My sense is that the leading figures in the equestrian capital of the world—Wellington, Florida—have game. This is not a place for meekness or routine existence, it is a community where life is attacked in an uncompromising way. People back themselves in Wellington and back themselves to win. Whether they be polo professionals, showjumpers, horse capitalists or team owners, this is a place of “Players”.

If a great storyteller like Taylor Sheridan focused his pen and his creative rigour on a town like Wellington, I pondered what the posters for the TV series would look like. There would have to be a sense of place and meanwhile the protagonists would have sexual allure and a hint of mischief. The vibe would be far removed from one which focused on the repetitious and painful monotony of daily life that so many people have to endure. It would be a story of privilege, ambition, vice and sexual tension. That combination always makes for good TV.

These tableaux photographs are always complicated by the introduction of animals into the narrative as they tend not to listen to my instructions. But pictures of Wellington without horses and dogs risk missing key parts of the jigsaw. Beautiful cars are also an integral part of the mix.

I want to thank everyone who came along to participate in the shoot that spring evening in Wellington—it was a memorable and fun evening. Special thanks to the Ganzi family for hosting us at their beautiful polo facilities and entertaining all my frivolous nonsense."

- David Yarrow