NPC Wraps Up Summer '06 In 60's Style 

September 2006,  Newport, RI:  … The Newport Polo Club’s annual International Polo Ball on Sept.1^st, was a runaway hit and sellout for the 6^th year in a row.   The annual black-tie charity gala, themed the British Invasion, took place at the exclusive Beacon Rock, one of Newport’s most glamorous private mansions overlooking the harbor.  Nearly 200 guests arrived via water taxi or shuttle through the estate’s Olmstead-landscaped grounds, dressed in 60’s-era inspired formal wear to dance the night away to Help, Boston’s most authentic Beatles rock band. 

Cocktails and dinner were enjoyed from terraces overlooking the harbor and glittering arches of Newport's Claiborne Pell Bridge, with an added surprise fireworks display.  A gourmet feast fit for a king was spread in the dining room transformed into a veritable garden of Eden.

            A live auction and musical entertainment ensued in the dramatic setting of the Greek-revival white marble courtyard surrounded by a monumental colonnade, and canopied by a giant, flapping Union Jack. 

Guests of honor included Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, London’s Ham Polo Club chairman, and his wife Annie, along with English teammates Mike Trippett, Edmund Higgenbottom, and Marianella Castagnola, one of the top women players in the world, who were being feted for England’s globalization of the sport of polo and for its legendary rivalry with USA which began in Newport more than a century and a quarter ago.

 Host for the evening was Brian Cunha.  Spotted in the crowd were NY publisher Lou Cona, Pierre Merle, Barbara White, Julie Snyder, William and Lowie Crisp, Peter Raines, Jim Leach, Ed Ionone, Karen and Ken Mancini, Christie-Anne Gafgen with Dave Carrington, Lucien Forbes and Betsy Gallipeau, Dr. Mark and Christine Grogen, Boston’s C. Paul Luongo, Alyson and Ken Young, Susan and David King celebrating his 50th, Heidi Schuster and John Helfst, Erin Harrington, Thomas Fleming, Parker Smith, Joan McCain, Beverly Schaefer, Sarah Alford, Christina Manca, and nearly all the members of the Newport Polo Club and their spouses. (Shown are Brian Cunha with Agnes and Dan Keating) See gallery of photos.

             Gala co-chairs Agnes and Dan Keating remarked, “We are thrilled to host the English polo team on this occasion for bringing an exciting team to Newport year after year, and whose legacy includes spreading the great sport of polo to all corners of the globe, including Newport, at the height of the British Empire, and we salute their heritage in the Westchester Cup tradition, polo’s most famous international rivalry which began in Newport in 1886”.

                  Proceeds from the gala & auction benefit the Newport Polo Education Foundation (NPEF), a non-profit 501[3]c organization registered in Rhode Island with a mission to support and develop training and educational programs surrounding the sport of polo, as well as other charitable causes.   NPEF Chairman John Gelati added, “We are dedicated to the endurance of this culturally significant sport here in Newport and to our tradition of international competition.  We are grateful to the community for supporting Newport’s polo tradition.”

                  Festivities continued the following day, Sat., Sept. 2^nd with a Tribute Match between USA and England in the Newport International Polo Series at Glen Farm.   Under threatening skies, USA defeated England 11 to 10, despite being led by England into the fifth chukka.

            Beacon Rock’s spectacular panoramic views of Newport harbor are but one of many breathtaking features of the classical manor designed by Stanford White of NYC’s legendary McKim Mead & White  architectural firm in 1891.  Restored in 1997 by its current owner, Brian Cunha, the 22,000 square foot residence integrates a monumental colonnade central courtyard and flanking temple-like wings affording water views from nearly all of its 16 principal rooms.  The landscaped grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. 

Greenlock Benefits as France Edges USA

             July 19, 2007, Portsmouth, RI…France narrowly defeated USA 11-10 in the Lufthansa Newport International Polo Series on Saturday, July 15^th before a record crowd benefiting the Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center.   

             Since the summer of 2000 the Newport International Polo Series has held benefit matches for Greenlock, and with additional donations from the Newport Polo Education Foundation, the Rohoboth, MA-based non-profit organization has raised over $15,000.  

Seven-year old Greenlock student Jack Vermette of Brookline, MA, presented a certificate of appreciation during the award presentation which followed France’s narrow victory over USA in the rousing polo match.   Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center is a non-profit organization that utilizes equine-related activities for the therapy of individuals with physical, developmental and emotional differences. 

            Hailing from the Morsang Polo Club in association with Polo de Bagatelle in Paris, the French team was captained by Alain de Foucaud (1), Cyrille Durand Behard (2), Leonard Nihan (3) and Jean Jacques Hubert (4).  The high-scoring, fast-paced match began with both teams scoring three goals in the first chukker.  France pulled ahead 5-4 after the second chukker. At half-time, France had secured a 2-goal lead 7-5.  USA came out swinging in the second half, taking the lead in the fourth chukker 8-7.  France fought back in the fifth and reclaimed the lead 10-9 despite throngs of spectators cheering on USA with a stadium wave.  In the final chukker USA tied the score until a late goal for France won the match. 

           “The French are among the best polo players in all of Europe, and we fought neck and neck for 6 chukkers,” states Dan Keating, captain of the USA team.  “We were happy to welcome them back to the Polo Series for Bastille weekend.”  France has participated in the Polo Series nearly every year for the past 10 or 11 years.  France is home to many polo clubs and players for over 100 years.  It was the site of the most recent polo world championships, organized by the Federation of International Polo (FIP) last September.  More recently, the newly elected president of FIP is Frenchman Patrick Guerrand-Hermes. 

           The Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center offers therapeutic riding which teaches specific riding skills, and Hippotherapy, a practice in which physical, speech, and occupational therapists employ the horse’s movement as a treatment tool to improve neuromuscular function, language and fine motor skills.  Hippotherapy relies on the sensory input provided by the horse’s rhythmic and repetitive gaits to prompt a neuromuscular response in the rider – a response that mimics the movement a child’s body would ordinarily make while walking.  Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., located at 55 Summer Street in Rehoboth, MA 02769, can be contacted at 508-252-5814 or online at www.greenlock.org.             ###

 Newport Polo Club Invites Fans...

May 26, 2006…Portsmouth, RI...It is always a festive occasion to host an international polo team.  To celebrate our foreign visitors, each month during this 15^th anniversary season the Newport Polo Club will offer a special event to include our fans and polo enthusiasts in the celebration.

June: The second annual International Wine Tasting, hosted by polo players from the USA and Scottish Polo Teams, will take place on Friday, June 16^th from 6-8pm at Malbone Estate, an elegant private Newport castle built in the tradition of the Gilded Age mansions.  Featured will be an extensive collection of boutique estate wines from the world’s great wine growing regions, including sparkling wines, chilled whites and roses, red wines, dessert wines and Scotch whiskeys.  Proceeds support the Newport Polo Education Foundation. Open to the public, capacity limited.  Tickets: $25 payable at the door with reservation, or in advance with a check payable to Newport Polo Education Foundation, c/o Treasurer Jim Garner, 15 Sherman Street, Newport RI 02840.  For reservations call 401-847-7090.  For the news flash on this event and a map, click here.

July: In tribute to the Irish Polo Team, who has the longest string of appearances in the Newport International Polo Series, participating every year since its inception, the Newport Polo Club will offer a traditional Asado lamb roast following the USA vs. Ireland match on Saturday, July 29^th.  This tradition, popularized by the influence of Argentine culture on the polo world, features fresh lamb slow-roasted to the utmost of tenderness, a satisfying delicacy after a hard-fought match. Open to the public, capacity limited.  $25 members/$35 non-members. Must be paid in advance by Tues. July 24th with credit card by calling 401-847-7090 or by check payable to Newport Polo, 2503 East Main Road, Portsmouth RI 02871.

August: The Jamaican Polo Team is a crowd favorite in the Polo Series, because of the excitement they deliver with a highly competitive contest year after year.  Join them for an authentic Jerk Grill following the USA vs. Jamaica match on Saturday, August 19^th. Open to the public, limited capacity $25 members/$35 non-members. Must be paid in advance by Tues. Aug. 15th  with credit card by calling 401-847-7090 or by check payable to Newport Polo, 2503 East Main Road, Portsmouth RI 02871.

September: As a finale to the summer and a tribute to the English polo team who will be the guests of honor…the culmination of this season will be the annual International Polo Ball on Friday, September 1^st, and on the next day the USA vs. England match, Saturday, Sept. 2^nd, will be followed by the club’s annual New England Lobsterbake.  Open to the public $30 members/$40 non-members. Must be paid in advance by Tues. Aug. 29th  with credit card by calling 401-847-7090 or by check payable to Newport Polo, 2503 East Main Road, Portsmouth RI 02871.

Women’s International Match

Historic First for Polo Series

May 10, 2006…Portsmouth, RI... On August 5^th, the Newport International Polo Series will proudly host the first all-woman international match in its 15^th year history when USA faces off against Chile. 

Playing for Chile is a young team of woman who have earned their stripes winning all over South America during the past polo season, making their first US appearance.  Captain of the team, Sofia Hamilton, comes from a legendary family of polo stars and has been riding and playing since early childhood. 

USA will be represented by a veteran group of woman players who began their polo careers many years ago under the tutelage of Dan Keating.  Their beginner women’s polo league of ten years ago spawned a determined group of players who would embrace the sport, become members of the Newport Polo Club and eventually play in the Newport International Polo Series.  They have competed internationally, in Chile in 1998, and have hosted two successful USPA Northeast Challenge women’s polo tournaments.

Woman players, whose numbers are rapidly increasing, have made great strides in the sport of polo, playing side-by-side their male counterparts and competing in and winning some of the most prestigious tournaments in the US.  The Newport Women’s Polo Association organizes opportunities for polo tournaments and international competition for women.  During the second week in August, following the historic Polo Series match, a women’s tournament will be hosted by the Newport Women’s Polo Association and Newport Polo Club.  For more information, visit www.newportpoloclub.com.

    Lufthansa Named As Title Sponsor in 2006

May 1, 2006…Portsmouth, RI... Marking its 15^th anniversary season, the Polo Series welcomes Lufthansa as its title sponsor for 2006.  With 50 years of service, Lufthansa is one of the world's largest and most prestigious airlines, connecting travelers from 16 US cities to over 400 destinations in more than 90 countries around the globe.   

Lufthansa’s fleet is one of the most modern fleets in the industry.  Superior safety standards, record on-time performance and world-renowned food and wine service are qualities that set Lufthansa apart from other airlines.  Innovations like PrivateBed, new lie-flat beds in Business Class and FlyNet® - the world’s first broadband Internet access in the sky make Lufthansa the number one choice for international travel.  

Visit Lufthansa for more information.

Portsmouth Town Council Honors Polo Series

 April 24, 2006, Portsmouth, RI...Mary Ann Edwards, President of the Portsmouth Town Council, read aloud the Proclamation of Congratulations before presenting the mounted parchment bearing the seal of Portsmouth, with a handshake to Dan Keating, President of the Newport International Polo Series at the Town Council meeting in April.

The Proclamation cited congratulatory wishes for the 15^th anniversary season of the Newport International Polo Series, as well as some of its achievements and contributions over the years, including successful charity matches such as the Hurricane Cup and Rotary Club matches, Yankee Magazine’s 2006 Editors Choice award as a favorite family destination, Keating’s own United States Polo Association Circuit Sportsmanship Award in 2004 and Citation of Recognition from the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2005, and Rhode Island Monthly Magazine’s Editors Poll winner as Best Spectator Sport in 2002 and Best Summer Evening With the Kids in 2005.

The Polo Series was founded in 1992 by Keating, who leased the abandoned Glen Farm from the Town of Portsmouth during the previous winter with a trailer-load of horses and a vision to re-establish the sport of polo in its American birthplace.  Keating worked hard to rehabilitate the dilapidated farm, build the polo field, and invite foreign teams for the inaugural season of the Newport International Polo Series. 

Newport is the home of the first polo club in America, founded in 1876, and its international polo matches became a favorite amusement for Newport’s summer residents of that era for a generation, earning the seaside resort a reputation as the international capitol for polo competition, long before the modern Olympic games were organized to host foreign nations. The World Wars eventually took their toll on the sport’s presence here and elsewhere.  There was some polo played locally in the mid-1950’s in Newport county, but its ultimate return to its American roots was ushered by Keating.  In 15 years, the Polo Series has hosted teams from twenty nations and every continent, and raised over $200,000 in charitable contributions for the community.