A Storied Tradition Wraps Up the Autumn Arena Season

The 13th Annual WPC Thanksgiving Cup returned to Newport Polo as the culminating event of the club’s autumn arena season, bringing together competition, community, and a cherished holiday tradition. Now more than a decade old, the Thanksgiving Cup has become a signature event on the Club’s calendar, celebrated not only for its spirited play but for the camaraderie and sportsmanship it fosters among players of all levels.

This year’s tournament featured 16 players across five teams, including a dynamic mix of first-time tournament competitors, interscholastic players, and seasoned veterans – all with the same goal in mind: to compete fiercely yet fairly for the honor of hoisting the coveted Victory Wish Bone and the thrill of the season’s final victory. Over the course of the weekend, the arena buzzed with energy as players, families, Club Members, and Polo Academy trainees gathered to enjoy the final matches of the fall season.

Saturday, November 29 – Semi-Finals

Saturday afternoon opened with back-to-back semi-final matches that set the tone for an unforgettable championship showdown. The stakes were high, as each team vied for a place in Sunday’s finals.

Semi-Final I

1776 (Yellow) vs. Mad Mouse (Pink)
Umpire: Chris Fragomeni

The first semi-final saw Team 1776 in yellow mount up Leslie Streuli, Darlene D’Arrezzo and Dan Keating take on Mad Mouse’s Gabrielle Tigan, Stephanie Coyne and Minnie Keating in pink in a tightly contested match that remained close until the final horn. Leslie Streuli struck first for 1776, adding a second goal shortly after off a penalty shot to give her team an early advantage. Dan Keating quickly found his rhythm, adding four consecutive goals and pushing the yellow team ahead.

Mad Mouse answered back through strong play from Gabrielle Tigan and Minnie Keating, each putting a goal on the board to keep their team within reach. Tigan added another just before halftime, closing the gap and sending the teams into the break with 1776 leading 6–3.

The second half belonged to Tigan, who mounted an impressive comeback effort with three goals over the next two chukkers, holding 1776 scoreless and turning the match into a nail-biter. In the fourth chukker, Dan Keating broke through again with two critical goals, but Mad Mouse responded immediately, with Minnie Keating matching him goal for goal. Stephanie Coyne added a late score to seal the result.

Final Score: 1776: 10, Mad Mouse: 9
A hard-fought, one-goal victory sent Team 1776 into the championship match.

Semi-Final III

Newport Open (Blue) vs. Vatn Systems (Red) vs. The Avery (Gold)

The second semi-final featured a 3-team bracket, to determine a winner over the course of a 6 chukker Round Robin.

Chukkers 1 + 2 brought out Newport Open‘s Andrew Biafore, Gus Reed and Jair Zenteno in blue against Vatn System‘s Kat Thomson, Amy Wright and Anna Dwyer in red. Newport Open came out strong, with Reed opening the scoring and quickly adding a second. Zenteno followed with a goal of his own, and Reed struck again, giving Newport Open early control of the match. Vatn responded with goals from Wright and Dwyer, but Newport Open maintained the upper hand to win the 2-chukker faceoff, and earn a bye during the next 2 chukkers before facing the 3rd team in the bracket.

Vatn mounted a determined offensive in Chukkers 3 + 4 against The Avery‘s Ava Richard, Catie Reed and Touba Ghadessi in gold – with a 5 point shelling started by Thomson and picked up by Dwyer that included a 2-pointer, while Ghadessi put a hopeful goal on the board for The Avery. Vatn cruised through the second period with one more goal by Dwyer and held The Avery scoreless, giving Vatn 1 win and 1 loss.

In the final two chukkers, 5 + 6, Newport Open returned to the arena to meet The Avery, and continued its scoring run with Zenteno and Reed combining for 7 points while Richard and Ghadessi trailed with a pair of goals. Chukker 6 was all The Avery’s, with 2 points by Richard and 1 by Reed, and silencing Newport Open, but it was not enough to overcome the big gap. Newport Open finished the Round Robin with 2 wins to advance to the Final.

Final Score: Newport Open: 2 wins; Vatn: 1 win/1 loss; The Avery: 2 losses;

Sunday – Championship Final

With weather threatening the full slate of possible chukkers, Sunday belonged entirely to the Thanksgiving Cup Final, heightening anticipation as the two remaining teams took the field.

1776 (Yellow) vs. Newport Open (Gold)

The finals delivered everything expected of a championship match, with momentum shifting repeatedly and both teams refusing to back down. Newport Open opened the scoring through Gus Reed, followed by an opposing-team goal that gave them an early 2–0 lead heading into the second chukker.

Team 1776 responded with intensity. Dan Keating caught fire in the second chukker, scoring four goals in rapid succession, while Matt Britto added another to swing momentum in favor of the yellow team. Newport Open countered with strong teamwork, as Jair Zenteno and Reed each found the net twice. At halftime, Newport Open held a slim 6–5 advantage.

The second half continued at a relentless pace. Keating remained a dominant force, adding three more goals for 1776, while Newport Open answered with balanced scoring from all three players, keeping the contest tight and highly competitive. The final chukker brought the crowd to its feet, with Keating completing a remarkable scoring run with three more goals. Newport Open, however, stayed composed under pressure, once again relying on coordinated team play to generate answers on every attack.

Final Score: Newport Open: 14, 1776: 11

Thanksgiving Cup Champions

With consistent scoring, disciplined defense, and true team cohesion, Newport Open emerged as the champions of the 13th Annual WPC Thanksgiving Cup. As the final horn sounded, the team hoisted the Victory Wish Bone, celebrating a well-earned title and a memorable close to the autumn arena season. Gus Reed was named MVP. And Romeo was declared Best Playing Pony.

Five teams. Two days. One championship match on Sunday. And one treasured Best Playing Pony, Romeo.
The 2025  WPC Thanksgiving Cup once again delivered a celebration of polo, tradition, and the enduring spirit of America’s First Polo Club.