Nantucket’s Triumphant Debut: An Island Rival Claims Victory in Sudden Death
On a sun-drenched afternoon in June, as Newport Polo continued its 150th Diamond Jubilee season, history was written on the hallowed grounds of Glen Farm. For the first time in the club’s storied 35-year International Polo Series, Nantucket rode onto Newport’s field to compete. And what a debut it was.
The occasion marked far more than a simple match between two renowned resort communities. It was a celebration of New England’s coastal heritage, and a living embodiment of the competitive spirit that has defined America’s First Polo Club for over 150 years. Under the theme “Vive la Veuve,” the grounds transformed into a celebration of champagne elegance. Vibrant golden hues, sun-kissed picnics, and an unmistakable sense of occasion as thousands gathered to witness Nantucket’s debut into the International Polo Series.
The day’s significance was amplified by the presence of private jeweler, Calista West, born in Nantucket, and now flourishing in Boston. West brought the Nantucket team to Newport, sponsoring this historic debut and embodying the very spirit of local pride and international sophistication that defines the Series.
During the match, judges crowned Tailgate 33 as the Stella Artois Best in Show winners whose interpretation of the Vive la Veuve theme, complete with champagne-brights and solaire decor, perfectly embodied the match theme. The newly expanded TD Pavilion provided an ideal vantage point, where attendees sampled “The Lone Ranger” signature cocktail from Dillon’s Patio Bar, alongside specialty offerings and Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
Between chukkers, the festive grounds came alive with the spirit of Newport Polo tradition. Cocoa & Co. captured portraits of revelers, while a feast worthy of champions awaited hungry spectators: Brie & Honey’s artisanal charcuterie, Newport Chowder Company’s coastal classics, Amano Pizza, Hometown Poke, Java Jai Coffee Co., Ben & Jerry’s, and Fyr Grill’s sizzling barbecue. Vendors lined the field, and guests wandered between chukkers in the kind of relaxed elegance that defines a perfect summer afternoon in Newport. Christina Lynch of Moet Hennessy / Veuve Clicquot performed the honorary coin toss, setting the stage for the match ahead.
Representing Nantucket were Amelia Caflisch and Kathleen Reagan (#1), Ariadne Dogani (#2), Inaki Wulff (#3), and Federico Wulff (#4). Team Newport answered with Roger Souto (#1), Minnie Keating (#2), Caleb Bryden (#3), and Oscar Monzon (#4).
The match began with immediacy and intensity. Newport struck first, with Roger Souto finding the goal early to give the home side the opening advantage. Yet the visitors from Nantucket answered swiftly. Ariadne Dogani equalized the score at the end of the first chukker, signaling that this would be a competitive match.
What followed was one of the most dramatic stretches of the afternoon. Caleb Bryden restored Newport’s lead, but Nantucket then mounted an extraordinary scoring surge that would shift the momentum dramatically. Inaki Wulff answered, followed by Ariadne Dogani extending the visitors’ advantage. The crowd leaned forward as Inaki Wulff struck again, and then, in a moment that electrified the field, Federico Wulff extended Nantucket’s lead to three goals. For a moment, it appeared Nantucket might run away with the match—a commanding performance from the island visitors.
But Newport was not to be denied so easily. The home side, sensing the moment slipping away, mounted a determined rally. Oscar Monzon scored twice in quick succession, while Caleb Bryden added another, erasing Nantucket’s three-goal advantage and bringing the score level by the end of the third chukker. The fourth chukker saw the match intensify into a back-and-forth battle. Federico Wulff gave Nantucket the lead once more. Roger Souto answered for Newport, bringing them level. Then came a sequence that showcased the brilliance of Caleb Bryden, who scored twice in succession, giving Newport a two-goal lead. But Inaki Wulff answered with a crucial goal, keeping the match alive and competitive.
The fifth chukker belonged to Newport’s middle of the field. Caleb Bryden struck again, extending the lead to two. Federico Wulff answered once more for Nantucket, but Oscar Monzon closed the chukker with a critical goal, maintaining Newport’s narrow advantage heading into the final period. During the sixth chukker, Amelia Calhisch scored for Nantucket, closing the gap to one. Federico Wulff equalized, drawing the teams level once more. Caleb Bryden put Newport ahead, but in a stunning display of determination, Inaki Wulff answered, and then struck again, giving Nantucket the lead with the final bell approaching. In the closing moments, Minnie Keating found the goal for Newport, leveling the match at 12-12.
With the crowd holding its breath, both teams assembled at midfield for sudden death overtime, with a fresh period of play until the first team to hit the ball over the back line is deemed the winner. The ball was released, and in a few short moments, Ariadne Dogani broke free and carried the ball across the goal line to secure Nantucket a thrilling 13-12 victory.
During the trophy presentation, both teams were celebrated for an unforgettable match, with special gifts from Calista West. Guests were invited to Dillon’s Patio Bar for an apres polo mixer with the teams to celebrate not just Nantucket’s victory, but Newport Polo’s 35th season of competition.
One lucky door prize winner received a gift from Veuve Clicquot Champagne. The door prize winners from each week of the season are eligible contestants to win the season’s grand prize: two business class tickets from Turkish Airlines to any destination in the world. A trophy and a chance at a dream vacation—the perfect embodiment of Newport Polo’s blend of sport, luxury, and international adventure. Be sure to enter the contest each week for your chance at an incredible dream vacation!
Along with Aston Martin Boston, the Polo Series is proud to welcome partnerships with Brenton Hotel │ Turkish Airlines │ Foxwoods Resort Casino │ TD Bank │BD │ Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers │ Vanderbilt International Properties │ Hotel Viking │ Hammetts Hotel │ Newport Harbor Island Resort │ Forty 1° North │ Veuve Clicquot Champagne │Modern Luxury Boston │ Providence Business News │ Penelope Bourbon │ Clarke Cooke House │ RISE │The Macallan │ Brugal Rum │ Highclere Castle Gin │ Surfside │ Kadeema Rentals │ Spirit Water │ Absolut │ Codigo 1530 Tequila │ Gooseneck Vineyards Prosecco │ Chateau Sainte Marguerite Rosé │ Atria Senior Living │ Stella Artois │ A1 Roofing & Construction │ Grieco BMW │ Kinsella Building Co. │ ROCKSTAR Limo │ Classical 95.9 WCRI │ Cointreau │ Visit Jamaica │ Mt. Gay Silver Rum; and promotional partners including The Cocktail Guru │ Newport Jaguar Tours │ Sailing Yacht Tree of Life │ Island Adventure │ Cocoa & Co │ International Tennis Hall of Fame │ Newport Vineyards │ Elizabeth in Newport │ Newport Mansions │ Sea Newport │ Adventure Kiteboarding School │ Newport Kites │ Newport Classical | Discover Newport.