The 2025 Newport Polo season came to a dramatic close this past Saturday with the Turkish Airlines Finals, a fitting end to a summer of sport, celebration, and tradition. With brilliant sunshine, a light breeze off the bay, and an electric energy in the air, fans gathered in record numbers to savor one last afternoon of polo before the grounds settled into its autumn rest.

The Drink of the Match, the World Traveler, was unveiled at Dillon’s Patio Bar, a fitting tribute to the day’s presenting sponsor, Turkish Airlines, who for the sixth consecutive year partnered with the Newport International Polo Series, and welcomed this season’s Grand Prize finalists – all 18 door prize winners over the 2025 season. One lucky fan would walk away with the ultimate reward: two business class tickets to any global destination in the world on Turkish Airlines, serving more locales than any other airline. 

Before the first ball was thrown in, the crowd rose to their feet for the US National anthem performed a capella by Grammy-nominated opera baritone Trevor Neal from Newport Classical to rousing applause, followed by the ceremonial coin toss, performed by Jean Roberts of Modern Luxury Boston in the Opening Ceremony.

For the finale, Newport Polo staged a spirited Battle of the Sexes. The men’s team, dressed in navy, was led by Dan Kinsella, Jair Zenreno, Chris Fragomeni, and Brendan Tetreault. Their challengers, the women’s team, included the formidable talents of Megan Schultz, Caroline Vissers, “Minnie” Keating, and Touba Ghadessi.

From the opening throw-in, it was clear this would be no ordinary exhibition. Ghadessi struck first, notching the opening goal of the match and sending a wave of cheers across the field. But the men quickly responded, with Zenteno tying the score, then seizing control in the second chukker with two more goals while teammate Fragomeni tacked on another, shutting out the women’s team to build momentum.The women weren’t finished yet. In the third chukker, Minnie Keating lit up the scoreboard with two goals, narrowing the gap and reminding the crowd of the team’s fighting spirit. Zenteno added another for the men, making the tally 5–3 in favor of the male squad at halftime.

As is tradition, fans poured onto the field for the divot stomp, repairing the turf while enjoying the sunshine, music, and camaraderie. The air was filled with the tempting aromas of a menagerie of gourmet Food Trucks, offering crowd favorites: Brie & Honey, La Costa, Little Fish, Newport Chowder, Fyr Grill, Mooseman’s Kettle Corn, and Ben & Jerry’s. Children ran with kettle corn in hand, couples shared chowder cups, and longtime polo fans toasted the season with champagne.

Back on the field, the fourth chukker proved tense, with both teams fighting hard but unable to find the goal. The deadlock broke in the fifth, as Tetreault and Kinsella combining for 3 points to the men’s tally, seemingly to put the game out of reach. But Vissers answered for the women, keeping their hopes alive. The final chukker brought the crowd to its feet. With the women trailing by three, Vissers and Keating each struck twice in quick succession, cutting deep into the men’s lead. Time ran out on the score board leading into overtime. Tetreault scored the winning goal in Sudden Death overtime for the men’s team, to claim the W in the annual gender dual. 

Following the final horn, Alper Gurses of Turkish Airlines stepped forward to present the championship trophy to the men’s team. Then came the season’s culminating moment that everyone had been fantasizing of: the Grand Prize drawing! Cheers erupted as the winner’s name was called and, to the delight of the crowd, he was present to accept his prize of two business class tickets, courtesy of Turkish Airlines, to anywhere in the world.

As the sun dipped low over the Newport sky, fans lingered to savor the last notes of music, the laughter of friends, and the glow of another memorable season.

With gratitude to our sponsors, players, and fans, Newport Polo celebrates the conclusion of the 2025 season and looks ahead to an extraordinary milestone: our 150th Anniversary Season in 2026.

Mark your calendars: Pre-season sales open Friday, October 4 at 10AM for season passes and polo party bookings.