The Newport International Polo Series served up another unforgettable summer afternoon last Saturday as Newport took on Palm Beach in a dazzling Tropical Preppy match.
From the moment the gates swung open, the field was awash in vibrant color, crowned by the triumphant return of the historic colonnade of international flags—custom-crafted by Newport Flag Company and, in a bold new flourish, unfurled in grander dimensions than ever before.
On the sidelines, fans fully embraced the theme with palm prints, pastel polos, breezy linen, and statement stripes. The standout of the day? A Lilly Pulitzer, inspired tailgate that was impossible to miss. With signature pink, green, blue, and yellow patterns woven into everything from table linens to sun hats, their setup radiated resort chic and earned them the Stella Artois Best in Show award.
The West Lawn was buzzing with vendor activity all day long. Guests browsed souvenir portraits at Cocoa & Co, and unique finds at Newport Fine Linens, Simply Chickie, Out East Eyewear, and the Newport Polo Pro Shop. Food lovers indulged in creamy Brie & Honey pairings, hearty seafood fare from Newport Chowder Company (both in the Pavilion and on the vendor lawn), refreshing sips from JavaJia Coffee, and sweet scoops from Ben & Jerry’s. In between plays, spectators gathered at the Penelope Bourbon tent for a fabulous free tasting setup that was as much a social hub as it was a sampling station.
The match lineup featured Newport in red, Dan Kinsella, Caleb Bryden, Caroline Vissers, and Oscar Monzon, against Palm Beach in blue, Jennifer Williams, Drew Gale, Aga Morgan, and Sig Singh. Officiating duties went to Minnie and Dan Keating, and the ceremonial coin toss was performed by special guest Rosie Wood, a social media influencer and TV personality.
From the opening throw-in, Newport came out swinging. Vissers and Monzon each put a goal on the board early, setting the tone for an aggressive first half. Bryden followed with back-to-back goals, putting Newport firmly in control. Palm Beach’s Morgan managed to break through Newport’s defense to score, but Monzon quickly answered back. Vissers added another goal before halftime, with Gale netting one for Palm Beach just before the whistle. At the half, the scoreboard read 6–2 in Newport’s favor.
Halftime brought the always-anticipated divot stomp, where fans took to the field to replace the turf while mingling with friends. Many stopped by Dillon’s Bar for cocktails and refreshing drinks crafted by The Cocktail Guru, keeping the festive energy flowing.
When play resumed, Newport didn’t let up. Monzon and Kinsella each scored in the third chukker, pushing the lead further, but Palm Beach’s Singh found the goal to keep his team in the fight. The fifth chukker saw a clean goal from Bryden, and in the final period, Monzon stole the show with three more goals, leaving Palm Beach chasing. Sing managed two late-game goals, but the clock ran out with a decisive 12–5 Newport victory.
The post-match trophy presentation was made by Aaron Sanders, Assistant Brand Manager for Penelope Bourbon, to cheers from the Newport faithful. But the day didn’t end there—celebrations rolled straight into Après Polo at The Patio Bar, where fans and players alike toasted another successful summer match under the setting Newport sun.
Now, all eyes turn to this Saturday, August 16, when Team USA faces off against Team Jamaica in a high-energy Reggae Vibes theme match. Come dressed in bold greens, sunny yellows, and island-inspired style for your shot at Stella Artois Best in Show. Plus, don’t miss your chance to enter the door prize drawing at the gate for a 4-night trip to Jamaica courtesy of Travel Jamaica. One lucky fan will be trading polo boots for flip-flops before summer’s over!