Newport Polo’s annual Players Dinner on Oct. 20^th at Clark Cooke House in Newport gave opportunity to celebrate the 2018 polo season and recognize those who contributed to an outstanding year.  

“The awards dinner is an opportunity to express appreciation for the leading figures that make the Polo Series a great tradition,” commented Keating.   

Glasses were raised in appreciation of our 2018 sponsors, including Gallo Thomas Insurance, NBC10, BMW Centers of RI, Grace Vanderbilt, Gurney's Newport, The Chanler, Vanderbilt International Properties, Hotel Viking, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, BRAHMIN, Clarke Cooke House, Flint & Flame, Modern Luxury Boston, Where Boston, Newport Daily News, Atria Senior Living, Rockstar Limo, Stella Artois, & Goslings Rum, and recognitions were made to the private lodging hosts of international teams.

Presentations of this year's Sportsmanship Award and Most Improved Player Award were conveyed by previous recipients Heather Souto and Stefanie Boyer/Laurel Howe (see past recipients).  Chosen by their peers, the perpetual trophies were awarded to Lauren Bilsky, voted Most Improved Player this season, and to Patrick Quigley and Minnie Keating, named the 2018 Sportsmanship Award recipients (see past recipients).  

Also acknowledged were the 2018 Best Playing Ponies: Pegasus Loaned to Poland by D Keating; Coca Loaned to Scotland by D Keating; Sugar Loaned to Italy by M Keating; Pumbaa Loaned to Ireland by S Clemens; Negrita Loaned to Morocco by D Keating; Snowbird Loaned to Jamaica by S Clemens; Tarzan Loaned to England by M Keating; and Tarzan Loaned to India by M Keating.

Club President Dan Keating expressed unanimous Appreciation to Polo Manager Dave Markell, in absentia, and Deputy Polo Manager Amy Garrison for their tireless efforts all year long.

The presentation culminated in a surprise induction into the Newport Polo Hall of Fame by William Crisp, the Hall of Fame's historic first inductee, who named Newport Polo founder Dan Keating as the 2018 inductee, citing Keating's nearly 30-year dedication, leadership and innovation in steering the club to its prominence and success. 

Twenty Minnie Awards were also given out to cap the evening's memorabilia of the past season before DJ Drew took center stage with irresistible dance floor hits til the wee hours.  See our Facebook fan page for an album of photos from the evening.

2018 Gala Ambassadors Margaux Buchanan & Michel Nseir were not able to attend, but were exemplary in leading the Club in its charitable mission this year, with a dedicated auction committee of volunteers including Laurel Howe, Chris MacDonald, Stacie Mills, Sioghan Wahlberg and Agnes Keating, to raise $28K for its 2018 beneficiary Save The Bay through the generosity of our auction donors and gala attendees this year, without whom the results would not have been so successful.

Named the Polo Series’ Restaurant of the Year for the 8th consecutive year for innovative cuisine and legendary ambiance as the place to see and be seen, the Clarke Cooke House is a quintessential Newport experience and polo players’ entertainment headquarters in downtown Newport (historical details).

Newport International Polo Series XXVIII begins on Saturday, June 2, 2019, when USA hosts the season’s first international rival on Opening Day.  Subscribe to our eMagazine for the latest news and announcements, including team lineup, important dates and upcoming events.  Secure, spam free and minimally issued.