Presented by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars New England
Saturday presented itself with more beautiful Newport summer weather for New York’s return to The Newport Polo International Series, presented by Turkish Airlines. New York arrived well-prepared to extend their four-year winning streak. Fans came swanked out in their interpretations of the weekly Stella Artois Best in Show Theme, “Puttin’ on The Ritz” to witness the thrilling annual rematch.
The International Polo Grounds were bustling as soon as the gates opened. The Patio Bar served up classic Newport Polo favorites including Stella Artois on tap, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and ABSOLUT. New and classic cocktails from Gosling’s such as the Tropic Time Out, the Bermuda Rum Swizzle, and the Dark ‘n Stormy, the official drink of the Newport International Polo Series. The Cocktail Guru was serving up a riff on a classic Manhattan, which is rumored to have originated in the Manhattan Club in New York, the Polo-Hattan consisting of whiskey, elderflower, sweet vermouth, and bitters. The Pro Shop was busting at the seams with new arrivals and classics. Keep an eye out for the replenishment of the website store with the new arrivals! Gourmet Food Trucks were field-side serving delicious Newport classics to spectators with options from Hawaiin Jim’s Shave Ice, Newport Chowder Company, and Gnarly Vines Farms.
The pre-game opening ceremony began at 5pm with the Official Coin Toss, led by Christine Scott, Marketing Director at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars New England. Commentator William Crisp introduced the two teams as the umpires escorted the players onto the pitch. In red was Newport’s Elise Markell/Dan Kinsella at #1, followed by Touba Ghadessi at #2, Minnie Keating at #3, and Oscar Monzon anchoring the home team in the #4 position. In white was New York with Mrinal Dasignani in the #1 position, followed by Keith Hart in the #2 position, Nick Aliano at #3, and finally, Esteban Scott rounding out the visiting team in the #4 position. Following introductions, the Star-Spangled Banner wrapped up the opening ceremony.
The match commenced with New York scoring their first goal. Newport replied with rapid-fire as Oscar Monzon scored three goals. New York followed up with two goals in the second chukker, but Newport held the lead with another goal by Oscar. By halftime Newport was leading 6-4.
At halftime, spectators were invited to participate in the traditional divot stomp to level the field and prepare it for the second half. The West Lawn vendors welcomed shoppers at Cutco Cutlery and Woof Woof Pet Boutique. The Pro Shop received Door Prize raffle entries from hopeful attendees seeking to win a special gift from Veuve Clicquot and earn their entry into the Turkish Airlines Grand Prize of 2 business class tickets to anywhere in the world on Turkish Airlines. During halftime, judges concluded their search for the best, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” tailgate and awarded them winners of the Stella Artois Best in Show Contest Prize. The winners received a special gift from Stella Artois.
In the fourth chukker, both teams came out strong, scoring 2 goals each. Newport would remain in the lead for the final two chukkers adding 6 more goals. New York tried their hardest, rallying to the end. Newport would win 14-6, ending New York’s 4-year winning streak. Oscar Monzon was on fire scoring 9 of the 14 goals for Newport. The winners of the Best in Show tailgate were announced along with the winner of the Daily Door Prize Raffle.
After the match, Newport and New York made a lap around the field in the Newport Fan Salute. Following the salute came the Veuve Clicquot Trophy Presentation where, Christine Scott, Marketing Director at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of New England, presented the perpetual trophy to Newport and the Providence Diamond Player’s Trophies to the players. After the presentation, players and spectators shifted to the Modern Luxury Lounge for a player’s toast, courtesy of Gosling’s.
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Live audiences can enjoy the Newport International Polo Series polo matches every Saturday as they have for 32 years to witness the timeless sport unfold on the manicured, emerald green at Glen Farm, home of the Polo Series, in a classic exhibition of horsemanship and valor, with host, the Newport Polo Club, where the home team – Newport/USA – meets challengers each season from around the world as well as teams representing major US cities and regional rivals in one of Newport’s unique traditions & renowned attractions.
The Polo Series is scheduled to continue every Saturday through September. The schedule of teams is subject to change without notice, as per RI State mandates and US travel bans which may impact travel and Adult Sports. Stay current with the 2023 team lineup & stats, latest news, events, and more by e-scription to the Gameday Briefing (sign up) and weekly eMagazine (sign up). Both subscriptions are private and spam-free.
The Polo Grounds’ favorable proximity to the shores of the island’s Sakonnet east passage provides reliably cool coastal effects, moderating afternoon temperatures and providing a dependable breeze for the late afternoon polo matches all summer. Minutes from the bustling Newport waterfront, the International Polo Grounds are located on the acreage of Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off of Rte. 138) in Portsmouth, RI. This bucolic setting is the last 100 acres of a pre-colonial settlement from the 1600’s that became the Town of Portsmouth’s original gentlemen’s farm, an 800-acre manorial estate established during a Gilded Age movement of retreat from the high life into pastoral country acres, to become the future home of polo in the next century. Its classical 19th-century stone barns and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by Polo Series founder, Dan Keating in the early 1990’s and continue to thrive as an equestrian & community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series.
The Newport International Polo Series is proud to name its 2023 sponsors including Brenton Hotel, BD, TD Bank, Turkish Airlines, Modern Luxury Boston, Herb Chambers Exotics, Vanderbilt International Properties, Hotel Viking, The Vanderbilt, The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport Life, Providence Diamond, Veuve Clicquot, ABSOLUT, Clarke Cooke House, CCE Golf Cars, BMW of Newport, Atria Senior Living, Northwestern Mutual, Charles Schwab, Insperity, AAA Northeast | Viking, A-1 Roofing, US Polo Assn, Stella Artois, Visit Jamaica, Goslings, ROCKSTAR Limo, and Classical 95.9 WCRI; and promotional partners including Newport Helicopter Tours, The Cocktail Guru, Newport Jaguar Tours, Picnic Charters, Island Adventures, On Watch Sailing, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Vineyards, Newport Mansions, Island Surf and Sport, Newport Picnic Co. and Audrain Automobile Museum.
“Our sponsors have been with us since the beginning. Without their support, the Series would not be as extensive as it is,” explains Dan Keating, Polo Series founder.
This is the 32nd season of the Newport International Polo Series, which has hosted teams from 36 nations including, Ukraine, Colombia, Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, France, Egypt, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Poland, and Switzerland.
Gilded Age Legacy. Polo is, without a doubt, the oldest ball game in the world today. First recorded in the 6th-century b.c. when the Turkomans beat the Persians in a diplomatic tournament, the alluring game caught on with equestrian royalty and cavalry, and took off with globalization, withstanding the tests of time. Arriving on Newport’s shores during the Gilded Age, the sport had evolved for nearly 2500 years, steeped in tradition, captivating newcomers like Newport’s summer sporting set who embraced the new pastime, establishing America’s first polo club in 1876. A charter member of the United States Polo Association, the club today is still a trailblazing model polo club, hosting the Newport International Polo Series public exhibition matches, supporting philanthropic causes, organizing tournaments, polo club member services, and polo instruction year-round. Experience the king of games in its American landing at Newport Polo.