United States Polo Association Women's Polo Challenge in Newport
(cont'd)

There has been a tremendous surge in recent years of women entering the sport of polo. Women now have many more opportunities to get involved at the collegiate level, and there are far more girls than ever playing at the interscholastic level and at local clubs.

The Newport Women's Polo Association was established four years ago with Dan Keating as mentor and Coach. Keating is the founder of the Newport Polo Club and the Newport International Polo Series, now in its 10th year, and the only international forum for polo in the world. Keating stated, "We are quite honored that the USPA chose the Newport Women's Polo Association to host the Northeast Tournament this year here at the Newport Polo Club. We hope to make this an annual event. With the popularity of women playing polo here in the area, I hope to see Newport Polo producing the next generation of women's high goal players for national and international play."

Keating went on to say that polo in Newport dates back to 1876 when J. Gordon Bennett, publisher of the New York Herald introduced the sport to friends and neighbors summering at the famous "cottages". "The first international match ever played was at Newport in 1886, versus a team from England," said Keating, "so it befits Newport to host yet another landmark polo event - only this time it's the women who will be playing."