It was all good times for a good cause on Sunday, at Newport Polo’s first annual All Charity Day Match.
The venue was alive with over 1,500 gleeful attendees present to support the nine nonprofit organizations that the match funded, including Boys Town New England, Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island; Bruno United FC; Community String Project; Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center; Junior League of Rhode Island; Portsmouth Dog Park; Newport County YMCA Adapted Physical Activity and Special Olympics, and the San Isidro Stolen Polo Horse Fund.
Throughout its 25-year history, Newport Polo has raised over $650,000 for civic and charitable organizations. At this match, spectators were not only privy to watching a closely contested match played between the Newport team and the Twin Paddock team, but were also able to engage in activities hosted by the nonprofits involved. Everyone wanted to join the Brain Injury Association’s raffle to win a picnic basket filled with goodies, and the spectators applauded and cheered when Portsmouth Dog Park ran its Dog Parade across the field at half-time. There was so much to do and see, and for most it was their first time witnessing a polo match.
It was a game to remember with Suleman Iddrissu, Laurel Howe/Stephanie Boyer, Jenna Davis and Minnie Keating playing for Newport. And Amy Rice, Stephanie Still, Alexander King, and Micheal Nseir playing for Twin Paddock. Two goals were scored by Newport in the first Chukka, while Twin Paddock only scored one. During the second Chukka however, it was Twin Paddock that scored two while Newport Polo only scored one. The third Chukka continued Twin Paddocks lead with them once again scoring two goals and Newport only scoring one. It seemed like Newport’s initial lead had just been luck, when out of the blue they started scoring goals point for point with Twin Paddock.
It was during the final Chukka though (Twin Paddock one point ahead of Newport) that the tables really turned. Newport whipped out three successive goals, one after another to place themselves ahead of Twin Paddock. Twin Paddock put up a good fight but unfortunately they couldn’t match these goals from Newport, and so it was during the final Chukka that Twin Paddock fell from their throne and Newport rose to victory. Final score; 9 to 11, Newport wins.
2016 Schedule
July 23 USA vs. Ireland 5pm Asado Lamb Roast
30 Newport vs. Palm Beach 5pm VIP Lounge
Aug 5 International Polo Charity Ball 7pm Rosecliff
6 USA vs. France 5pm Lobsterbake
13 Newport vs. Philadelphia 5pm VIP Lounge
20 USA vs. Jamaica 5pm Jerk Grill
27 Newport vs. New York 5pm VIP Lounge
Sept 3 USA vs. England 4pm
10 Newport vs. Baltimore 4pm
17 USA vs. Morocco 4pm
24 Finals 4pm
Schedule subject to change
