Polo Series Raises $5000 at Hurricane Cup 

                         Fans and Sponsors Rally For Cause

September  13 , 2005 , Newport, RI… Over $5,000 in cash was raised for victims of Hurricane Katrina at the Newport International Polo Series’ Hurricane Cup polo match last Saturday, Sept. 10^th   at Glen Farm.

Lead sponsor, WCRB Classical Radio Boston/WCRI in Rhode Island,  organized the sale of $5 raffle tickets for a host of fabulous prizes donated by other sponsors and awarded at the match. 

Also Goslings Rum sponsored the sale of  $5 Dark & Stormy cocktails, and for the kids there were $1 Hank's Root Beer Floats, complements of Coldstone’s Ice Cream and Hanks Premium Root Beer.  Cash donations were also accepted during the match.  

WCRB's Dave Schultz at his best

All proceeds from the raffle, Dark & Stormies, Root Beer Floats and donations were given to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort.   

         “Last year our supportive fans helped us raise over 1,000lbs of emergency supplies which were shipped to the hurricane victims in 

Jamaica.  Naturally we are going to help our fellow Americans in this crisis at home,” stated Dan Keating, President of the Polo Series. 

Popular rootbeer floats appealed to fans of all ages.

Boom Boom Room's DJ Chips Hanson passes the loving cup for donations.

Raffle prizes included:   Bose Acoustic Wave Music System with 6 CD changer ·  Viking Hotel weekend getaway for two with breakfast · Newport National golf outing for two · Orchestra seating at Riverdance in Boston’s Wang Theatre · Hank's Premium Soft Drinks year's supply · Tazo Tea year’s supply · Random House hardcover bestsellers collection · Matted original polo action prints by Chris Alvanas · Merlot wines from the Clarke Cook House · Coldstone Ice Cream Cakes for a family of four · Limited edition Beanie Babies from Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.

WCRB staff handles the raffle.                                     Happy winners of Chris Alvanas original polo prints

Paul and Maureen Inveen win the Newport National golf       Winners of Merlot wines from the Clarke Cooke House                      

Polo player Dave Bullis receives print from winners       Bose music system winners John Gelati and Julie DeAngelis

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olo   International Polo Ball a Moon-lit Cruise

     August 25, 2005,  Newport, RI:  …Nearly 150 guests from coast to coast dressed in tropical 

black tie to board the ‘Caribbean Queen’ from Bowen’s Wharf in Newport last Friday night for the

Newport Polo Club’s annual International Polo Ball.

     The benefit gala, with the Jamaican Polo Team as guests of honor, began with a dockside 

champagne reception and enticing silent auction before setting course on a full-moon cruise of 

Newport’s glistening waters.  The internationally acclaimed Mang Dub reggae band kept guests 

swaying to the island beat on the upper deck while a Caribbean inspired gourmet dinner was offered

on the main deck in a botanical garden setting by award-winning chef Samantha Tilley.

                Creative interpretations of ‘tropical black tie’ attire for the gentlemen included white dinner jackets, 

           Bermuda shorts, tropical bow tie & cumber bund ensembles, and of course cool sandals, while tropical 

           color was the expression by the ladies who exhibited fauna, flora and sea motif with exotic flowered 

           coiffeurs, boldly printed gowns, and inspired tops with peacock feathers, jewels, shells, hand painted 

           and embroidered designs - worn en vogue over salon pants.

     Over $10,000 was raised for the Newport Polo Education Foundation, according to NPEF 

chairman John Gelati, adding, “We celebrate the truly international culture inherent in the sport of 

polo and the contributions polo has made to the fabric of this community, which inspires us to ensure 

the continuity of polo here where it first took root in America.”

     Gala Chairman, Jim DeAngelis adds, 

“On behalf of the gala committee, we 

are very pleased that the Jamaican Polo 

Team joined us on this occasion to mark 

their ongoing contributions to the sport of 

polo on a global pedestal.  This year they 

celebrate a milestone few polo clubs in 

the world can claim: 100 years of polo 

memories played on the venerable field 

at Drax Hall, home of the St. Ann Polo 

Club.  May we too, be so prolific on our polo grounds.”

      On Saturday, August 20^th, the Jamaican Polo Team played USA in the Newport International 

Polo Series on the polo grounds of Glen Farm, losing 8-7 in a thrilling overtime penalty shootout.  

Representing Jamaica were Stevie Fung-Yi, Brian Phillips, Shane Chin and Paul Lalor from the 

Kingston and St. Ann Polo Clubs.  Playing for USA were Jonathan Kaye, Jim Garner, Peter 

Friedman and Dave Bullis.  

     Festivities following the match included award presentations and an authentic Jamaican jerk  

grilled dinner served field-side by Rhode Island’s favorite, Tina’s Caribbean restaurant, to reggae 

rhythms and firelight.

     Proceeds from the gala 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 

programs surrounding the sport of polo, to ensure the endurance of this culturally significant sport 

here in its American birthplace and to the tradition of international competition.  Details of the 

NPEF are available online at:  www.poloeducationfoundation.org.  View photos of the festive 

weekend here!

Polo Players Share Wine Savvy & Charm

International Wine Tasting Benefit

June 24, 2005,  Newport, RI:  …Stars of the Chilean and USA polo teams greeted guests and shared their expertise in viniculture recently at an International Wine Tasting at the Hotel Viking’s Top of Newport rooftop lounge. 

One hundred guests attended the wine tasting on a beautiful summer evening last weekend to benefit the Newport Polo Education Foundation, and they sampled a large collection of estate-produced international wines favorably rated by Wine Spectator magazine.  The event was sponsored by Vickers’ Liquors, Brewers & Vintners Distributing Ltd. and the Hotel Viking.

The event was organized by the Newport International Polo Series on the eve of the USA vs. Chile match last Saturday at Glen Farm in Portsmouth, RI, which USA won 13-6.  Matches are held every Saturday through September.

USA captain Dan Keating asserts that, “the Chilean Polo Team is a crowd favorite here in Newport because of their skill in polo, and among them are well-known winemakers from their region who shared their expertise and good nature with our guests.”

Proceeds 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 programs surrounding the sport of polo, to ensure the endurance of this culturally  Shown are Polo players Pablo Triggs , Cristian Oportus , Felix Garrido Sr., Dan Keating,    Crocodillo Astabarruaga and Felix Garrido Jr.                                              significant sport here in its American birthplace and to the tradition of international competition.  Details of the NPEF are available online at: www.poloeducationfoundation.org.     ### 

USA in Jamaica

March 7, 2005,  Montego Bay, Jamaica…Unlike the fabled Jamaican bobsled team, generations of Jamaican players have made contributions to the sport of polo on a global pedestal.  This year they celebrate 100 years of polo memories played out on the venerable pitch at Drax Hall, home of the St. Ann Polo Club - a milestone few polo clubs in the world can claim.  Polo was introduced to Jamaica by the British army during the late nineteenth century, and it has enjoyed an enthusiastic local following since. The average polo handicap is significantly higher than that in the US and the players are superb horsemen and their mounts are well-bred thoroughbreds.

Jamaica is a popular polo destination, like Newport, where overseas teams are hosted regularly, enjoying high caliber polo and camaraderie of the local players in a tropical paradise.  This week, the Newport Polo Club accepted a challenge to a 3-match tournament on the Jamaican’s home turf at two of their best polo clubs, St. Ann and Kingston Polo Clubs.  Dan Keating, Jim DeAngelis, John Wigdahl and Jim Garner comprised the team.

The first match, on Drax Hall’s centenary field in St. Ann, was all friendly fire as the teams were mixed, which gave the Americans a chance to warm up to the horses, the climate and their rivals.  The real test came after a day of rest, spent traversing, repelling and waterfall climbing, when Newport played against St. Ann.  An untimely rain shower just prior left the time-honored pitch slick, causing Wigdahl’s horse to loose its footing early on, eliminating him from the remainder of the tournament with a broken collar bone.  Jamaican Shane Chin filled in and, by the time Newport rode to victory, Wigdahl had returned from the hospital to greet them at the bar for the celebration.    

The culminating match in Kingston began with a traditional daybreak drive through the Blue Mountain pass on pins and needles.  The morning match dodged the heat of the day but not the excesses of the night before.   A fresh Mark Wates substituted for the further-injured Wigdahl but it was not enough, as the Kingston team decided the hard fought match by a slim goal.  With the match completed by lunchtime, it became clear that the afternoon was reserved for a long revelry into night, coffee tables and chandeliers withstanding.       

The Jamaicans’ hospitality is unsurpassed, the beauty of the island is breathtaking and the many attractions and adventures are highly entertaining.  Newport found the convenience of Jamaica Car Rental inside Montego Bay’s Airport to provide the means to break out and experience the real Jamaica and see its many popular getaways.  In ‘MoBay’, the Toby Resort was minutes away and afforded perfect accommodations with breezy & spacious rooms in a park setting surrounding its swimming pools and open air restaurant, all walking distance from the beach, shops and popular night spots.  In Ocho Rios, Chukka Cove offered Adventure Tours of all kinds; Newport’s favorites were the Canopy Tour and Horseback Riding in the surf.  The team was entertained copiously by its hosts day and night. And the extra day at the tour’s end, spent at Negril’s Key West-inspired Country Country beach cottages, felt like a week of relaxation. 

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Newport Polo Club Receives Double Kudos                        

February 7, 2005,  Newport, RI….. Unexpected highlights of the Newport Polo Club’s annual General Membership Meeting last weekend included a Citation of Recognition from the R.I. House of Representatives, and the United States Polo Association’s Sportsmanship Award.

Representative Amy G. Rice presented the R.I. House of Representatives’ Citation in recognition of the Newport Polo Club’s achievements and contributions to the sport of polo in the State of Rhode Island, polo’s birthplace in America.  Rice hails from District 72, which includes portions of Portsmouth, Middletown & Newport.

In a special appearance, Peter Poor, the USPA Circuit Governor for the Northeast circuit of polo clubs, recognized the Newport Polo Club for becoming the number one polo club in the Northeast and awarded Dan Keating, founder and president, the 2004 USPA Circuit Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating good sportsmanship in the sport of polo.

Dan is most deserving of this distinction”, stated Poor, “and his leadership and sportsmanship has made the Newport Polo Club the best in the Northeast.”  Poor acknowledged Jim Garner for putting forth the nomination of Keating, and Jose Franco, an injured player from the Boston Polo Club who will also receive the circuit’s award in 2004.  

“It has been a privilege to play polo with the members of this polo club, who uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship in the game over these past 14 years since our founding here, and I look forward to what we will accomplish in the next 14 years” stated Keating.

The Sportsmanship Award is the United States Polo Association’s highest individual honor presented annually to a person from each circuit demonstrating good sportsmanship in the sport of polo.  Established over 100 years ago, the USPA serves all polo clubs and players across the US by providing a uniform method of handicapping players, standardizing rules of the game, and encouraging and promoting the sport of polo.      ###

USA In Ireland

 January, 2005...In the second week of January, when it couldn’t possibly get any colder or more raw in New England, Team USA headed to ‘balmy’ Ireland for a 3-match tournament at Wicklow Polo Club. The therapeutic effects of seeing so much fabled greenery in the dead of winter are extraordinary. 

Situated 1.5 hours south of Dublin along Ireland’s east coast, the Wicklow Polo Club was founded by Michael Herbst, the Irish team captain who will make his 14th appearance in the Newport International Polo Series this summer.  Due to hilly terrain and high levels of annual rainfall in Wicklow, the polo matches are played in one of the most unique outdoor arenas in the world, where in a clear moment one can view the Irish Sea from the hilltop ring.

The USA contingent consisted of teammates Dan Keating, Jim Garner and Jacki Shore and supporters from the greater Keating Clan.  On Friday night in drizzle and fog, they were defeated 12-9 by Irish players John Roche, James Sheeran and Siobhan Herbst. The weather began to lift by Saturday morning in time for a gallop across the rolling hills and lunch at a neighboring castle.  The afternoon match featured Mario Giles, Rosalinda Deveraux and Robert Patton wearing the orange and green for Ireland against the Americans whose lineup was becoming better attuned to the unfamiliar, resulting in a close match all the way though to the tied conclusion of 9 points each.  Sunday’s rubber match pitted USA against Michael Herbst, Alejo Tagle and Sean Reynolds, with a sizeable crowd of onlookers who cheered wildly as the lead changed from side to side, until finally the Americans pulled out ahead late in the fourth chukker to win 8-6. The sunburst during the anthems showed a spectacular landscape golden in the setting sun on the last, most glorious day of the tour. 

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