A thrilling new chapter unfolded in the Newport International Polo Series as Team Morocco returned in regal form under the flag of his majesty the King of Morocco, to challenge the warriors of Team USA. The skies held their peace, allowing fans to enjoy a full match under dramatic, rain-kissed clouds.
On Saturday, June 7th, the Newport International Polo Series marked Morocco’s return to the grounds with a great clash against Team USA. Morocco’s supporters came out in numbers to show their support for their riders.
Team Morocco galloped back into Newport with flair and firepower, setting the stage for an electrifying international showdown against Team USA. When the players rode onto the field, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Team USA, sporting their signature navy jerseys, featured Dan Kinsella at #1, Brendan Tetrault at #2, Rory Torrey at #3, and Sam Clemens at #4 — a formidable squad packed with precision and grit. Their challengers from across the Atlantic, dressed in crisp white, brought both elegance and edge: Abdelouahed Yamni at #1, Aziz Outaleb at #2, Moulay (Abdslame) El Hanafi at #3, and Mohamed El Hamdi at #4.
The official flip of a coin by Hammetts Hotel’s Regional Director of Sales – John R Harrison commenced the action on BD Field. Morocco’s El Hamdi struck early in the first chukker, quickly followed by a goal from El Hanafi to give the visiting team a 2–0 lead. Rory Torrey put Team USA on the board with the first goal of the second chukker, but Morocco wasn’t letting up — El Hamdi retaliated with another sharp shot. Torrey and Tetrault rallied back for the U.S., adding a few more goals to tie the score by the end of the second chukker at Morocco 4, USA 4.
Team USA turned up the heat in the third chukker, netting two unanswered goals — both from the unstoppable Rory Torrey to take a 6–4 lead going into halftime.
Spectators took a brief pause from the action during the traditional divot stomp, with many visiting the popular vendor tents for refreshments and unique shopping opportunities. Food trucks including Newport Chowder Company kept fans fueled for the remainder of the game, while retail pop-ups like Out East Eyewear and Simply Chickie provided unique souvenirs.
Tailgate decor inspired by the day’s “Midnight in Marrakesh” theme vied for the Stella Artois Best in Show prize: judges singled out a particularly creative tailgate that displayed the Moroccan culture to win Stella Artois prizes and Pix at Polo swag.
After the divot stomp, Morocco came storming back. El Hanafi opened the fourth chukker with a hat trick of goals, followed by two more from El Hamdi in the fifth. The Moroccan offense was on fire, flipping the scoreboard to a commanding 10–6 advantage. In the final chukker, it was all hands-on deck for Morocco — three of the four players found the goal, sealing the match with a resounding 14–6 victory.
The celebration was just as thrilling as the win. With Moroccan flags waving high, the victorious team took a victory lap around the field to cheers from the crowd, leaving fans with an unforgettable taste of international polo excellence.
Following the match, players from both teams made their victory laps, slapping outstretched hands, as is tradition, before heading to the podium for the trophy presentation. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Sassafras, loaned by Dan Keating, ridden by Morocco captain Mohamed El Hamdi. As spectators gathered for the celebratory Veuve Clicquot toast, the Cocktail Guru offered a complimentary pour to those gathered at Dillon’s Patio Bar. The silver replica Liberty Bowl trophy originally handcrafted by Patriot Paul Revere was hoisted by the Moroccan team, accompanied by Moroccan Ambassador Youssef Amrani from the Embassy in Washington D.C., and the 2025 Players Prizes were handed out by John Harrison of Hammetts Hotel. Players signed autographs as guests indulged in Après Polo fanfare at Dillon’s Patio Bar to end Opening Day on a high note!
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Live audiences can enjoy the Newport International Polo Series polo matches every Saturday as they have for 34 years to witness the timeless sport unfold on the manicured, emerald green at Glen Farm, home of the Polo Series, in a classic exhibition of horsemanship and valor, with host, the Newport Polo Club, where the home team – Newport/USA – meets challengers each season from around the world as well as teams representing major US cities and regional rivals in one of Newport’s unique traditions & renowned attractions.
The Polo Series is scheduled to continue every Saturday through September. The schedule of teams is subject to change without notice. Stay current with the 2024 team lineup & stats, latest news, events, and more by e-scription to the weekly eMagazine (sign up), private and spam-free.
The Polo Grounds’ favorable proximity to the shores of the island’s Sakonnet east passage provides reliably cool coastal effects, moderating afternoon temperatures and providing a dependable breeze for the late afternoon polo matches all summer. Minutes from the bustling Newport waterfront, the International Polo Grounds are located on the acreage of Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off of Rte. 138) in Portsmouth, RI. This bucolic setting is the last 100 acres of a pre-colonial settlement from the 1600’s that became the Town of Portsmouth’s original gentlemen’s farm, an 800-acre manorial estate established during a Gilded Age movement of retreat from the high life into pastoral country acres, to become the future home of polo in the next century. Its classical 19th-century stone barns and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by Polo Series founder, Dan Keating in the early 1990’s and continue to thrive as an equestrian & community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series.
The Newport International Polo Series is proud to name its 2025 sponsors including including Brenton Hotel, BD, TD Bank, Turkish Airlines, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, Vanderbilt International Properties, Hotel Viking, Hammetts Hotel, Newport Harbor Island Resort, Forty 1° North, R.I.S.E., Providence Business News, NBC10, Modern Luxury Boston, Herb Chambers Exotics, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Clarke Cooke House, RI Commerce, Grieco Automotive Group, Atria Senior Living, Tito’s Vodka, Stella Artois, Highlclere Castle Gin, Kinsella Building Co., A1 Roofing & Construction, Visit Jamaica, ROCKSTAR Limo, and Classical 95.9 WCRI; and promotional partners including The Cocktail Guru, Newport Jaguar Tours, Island Adventure, Cocoa & Co, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Vineyards, Elizabeth in Newport, Newport Mansions, Sea Newport, Adventure Kiteboarding School, Newport Kites, Discover Newport.
“Our sponsors have been with us since the beginning. Without their support, the Series would not be as extensive as it is,” explains Dan Keating, Polo Series founder.
This is the 34rd season of the Newport International Polo Series, which has hosted teams from 37 nations including, Ukraine, Colombia, Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, France, Egypt, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Switzerland, Colombia, Ukraine and Pakistan.
Gilded Age Legacy. Polo is, without a doubt, the oldest ball game in the world today. First recorded in the 6th-century b.c. when the Turkomans beat the Persians in a diplomatic tournament, the alluring game caught on with equestrian royalty and cavalry, and took off with globalization, withstanding the tests of time. Arriving on Newport’s shores during the Gilded Age, the sport had evolved for nearly 2500 years, steeped in tradition, captivating newcomers like Newport’s summer sporting set who embraced the new pastime, establishing America’s first polo club in 1876. A charter member of the United States Polo Association, the club today is still a trailblazing model polo club, hosting the Newport International Polo Series public exhibition matches, supporting philanthropic causes, organizing tournaments, polo club member services, and polo instruction year-round. Experience the king of games in its American landing at Newport Polo.