The Khans’ adventure filled with sport, friendship, and discovery began at Logan Airport, where the Mongolian delegation arrived carrying mallets, kit bags, and the quiet confidence of horsemen whose culture has been intertwined with the saddle for centuries. Awaiting them was Rockstar Limo, whose chauffeured transport carried the team south to Newport and the harbor front elegance of Hammetts Hotel. There, overlooking a forest of masts and the sparkling waters of Newport Harbor, the visitors settled into their coastal encampment for the week before a classic welcome dinner.
Their first taste of Newport polo came on Thursday morning on Narragansett Bay with Sailing Yacht Tree of Life which introduced the team to Newport’s maritime heritage abord the 92-foot vessel, hearing tales of two circumnavigations around the globe while cruising Newport’s celebrated waters.. Harnessing the wind across the water offered a refreshing contrast to the vast inland landscapes of Mongolia. Newport Jaguar Tours scooped up the team as they disembarked, whisking them to one of Newport’s treasures for a terraced lunch before a leisurely Grand Tour.
At 5 PM, Team Mongolia exchanged yachts for horses, joining local players for a spirited Friendship Tournament, a chance to stretch their legs after crossing continents and acquaint themselves with the fast New England turf. The pace was lively, the competition friendly, and afterward the sidelines transformed into a gathering worthy of a modern-day Silk Road caravan, with lobster rolls and chowder to acclimate and satisfy after the salt air.
Friday’s sunshine coaxed the players for an electric bike adventure out along scenic Ocean Drive toward Newport’s protected beaches. Later, the players tested their competitive instincts on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the gleaming collection of automotive treasures next door at the Audrain Automobile Museum. As dusk settled over the harbor, the delegation gathered for an Opening Weekend kickoff party in their honor filled Clarke Cooke House’s harbor overlook with a throng of players and supporters before a dining experience on the Porch.
Gameday relaxation rituals included a trip to the Breakers mansion through the grand halls to inhale the spirit of our polo club’s founding members and marvel at America’s Gilded Age palaces, then a brisk stroll exploring Newport’s famed Cliff Walk for a perfect prelude to the afternoon’s match under brilliant skies and cooling ocean breezes.
By late afternoon, attention turned to Glen Farm. As thousands of spectators gathered beneath fluttering flags and summer sunshine, Team Mongolia prepared for its historic Newport debut against Team USA. From the opening throw-in, the visitors played with the determination and horsemanship one might expect from descendants of the world’s great horse culture. Fast breaks, precision passing, and fearless attacks thrilled the crowd as the match unfolded into one of the season’s most dramatic contests.
When the final chukker ended in a deadlock, the contest advanced into Sudden Death overtime. Then came the decisive moment: Rentsensharav Oldokh broke free and carried the ball over the back line, securing a thrilling 9-8 victory and etching Mongolia’s name into Newport Polo history.
The celebration that followed felt less like a postgame gathering and more like a victory feast. Guests, players, and supporters mingled fieldside during Après Polo as music, laughter, food, and champagne flowed beneath the evening sky. The Khans had arrived—and they had conquered.
Sunday brought a gentler pace as the team took in their final browse for gifts from Newport’s shops. New friendships had been forged, memories created, and a new chapter written in Newport Polo’s international story.
For Team Mongolia, the trip represented far more than a single match. It was an exchange of cultures connected by a shared love of horses, competition, and hospitality. The visitors arrived from beneath Mongolia’s Eternal Blue Sky and departed having discovered a new horizon on the shores of Narragansett Bay.
As Newport Polo continues welcoming teams from around the globe during its Diamond Jubilee season, each delegation receives its own carefully curated introduction to the City by the Sea. Upcoming itineraries include mansion tours with Newport Jaguar Tours, tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, sailing excursions, kiteboarding adventures, vineyard tastings, beach picnics, and countless opportunities to experience the unique blend of sport, history, and coastal elegance that makes Newport unlike anywhere else in the world.
Because at Newport Polo, the match may last six chukkers—but the memories travel much farther.