We’re utterly chuffed to welcome England back across the pond for their annual Labor Day dust-up with the Yanks. Polo, after all, owes much of its global gallop to the British cavalry, who spread the sport with all the enthusiasm of marmalade on toast in the 1800s. England remains a polo powerhouse and was, quite naturally, among the founding challengers when the Polo Series debuted in 1992. Now, mounting their 30th campaign, the English arrive with stiff upper lips, polished boots, and mallets at the ready. The rivalry is deliciously tight—Team USA leads by a mere 13 wins to 11—so expect a proper nail-biter.
The Gentlemen Riders:
Captain Garrie Renucci
Seven-time captain, part James Bond, part Evel Knievel. When not captaining polo fields, Garrie is hurtling down mountains on a snowboard, revving superbikes, or scaling Everest to host impromptu concerts (yes, really—the highest one ever recorded). Philanthropy is his side hustle: he’s cycled across India and Africa for charity, because why not? A property mogul by day and thrill-seeker by… well, also by day, Garrie divides his time between London boardrooms and anything that requires crash helmets.
Jimmy Wood
Polo literally runs in Jimmy’s veins. His father was Prince Charles’s lifelong pro and longtime Royal Guards Polo Club supremo. Jimmy has chalked up wins in the sport’s most prestigious fixtures, with the kind of effortless aplomb that only comes from being raised in the royal paddocks. This year marks his sixth time flying England’s colors in Newport—though we suspect he’s equally here for the G&Ts.
Josh Cork
At 28, Josh is the golden boy of Cowdray Park, polo’s very own Downton Abbey with better horses. Alongside his polo-mad brothers and father, Josh represents a veritable dynasty of mallet-wielders. He’s already been to the World Cup, divides his seasons between Argentina and New Zealand, and still finds time to look boyishly enthusiastic about it all. This is his second Newport campaign, and he’s here for revenge—or at least redemption over lobster rolls.
Chris Gregory
London-born, Windsor-bred, and freshly transplanted to Palm Beach, Chris brings his passport and mallet to all the right destinations: Dubai, Mexico, and now Newport. A fixture of Guards and Twyford Polo Clubs, he’s known as much for his sailing habit as his riding prowess. If he’s not thundering down the field, he’s likely at the helm of a yacht somewhere warm, sundowner in hand.
The Festivities:
The pageantry begins Friday, Aug. 29 with London Calling for golden hour at the Brenton Hotel—a rooftop soirée where Newport sunsets meet Savile Row tailoring, Pimm’s Cups, and conversation as crisp as linen collars.
Then on Saturday at 5PM, the Newport International Polo Series presented by Turkish Airlines stages the transatlantic showdown: USA vs. England. After the final chukka, the teams will retire to the TD Pavilion for an après-polo feast from Little Fish Tacos & Ceviche—think lobster rolls, ceviche, and gourmet bites served with sporting camaraderie.
From Knightsbridge to Newport, this is polo with pedigree—history, heritage, and just enough cheek to keep things jolly good fun.