On Saturday, July 18, Newport and Pittsburgh renewed one of the Newport International Polo Series’ most storied rivalries in the 11th annual Vanderbilt-Carnegie Cup. Held during Newport Polo’s 150th Diamond Jubilee season, in partnership with Aston Martin Boston and presented by Turkish Airlines, the match celebrated the enduring legacies of two Gilded Age dynasties whose ambition, influence and innovation helped shape both Newport and industrial America.
With the historic rivalry providing a fitting backdrop, the afternoon brought the elegance of the Gilded Age to life across the grounds of Glen Farm. Guests arrived in classic tailoring, lace, linen and period-inspired fashion, transforming the sidelines into a scene reminiscent of Newport’s grandest social era. Stella Artois sponsored the Best in Show competition, recognizing the guests who most fully embraced the afternoon’s theme, while Dillon’s Patio Bar served the Gilded Age Cobbler as the Drink of the Match.
Jillian Smith of Moët Hennessy and Veuve Clicquot welcomed the teams to the field with the ceremonial coin toss, officially beginning the latest chapter in the rivalry between Newport and Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s Alex Burkland struck first in the opening chukker, but Newport answered quickly as Caleb Bryden found the goal to level the match at 1–1. Bryden continued to command the field in the second period, scoring twice to give the home team an early 3–1 advantage.
The pace intensified in the third chukker as both teams settled into an increasingly competitive rhythm. Bryden added two more goals for Newport, extending his remarkable first-half performance, while Jerome Kennedy and Jim DeAngelis responded for Pittsburgh. Newport entered halftime holding a 5–3 lead, with Bryden responsible for all five of the home team’s goals.
At halftime, guests stepped onto the field for the traditional divot stomp, mingling at centerfield before returning to their tailgates and viewing areas. Across the West Lawn, Amano Pizza, Newport Chowder Company, Brie & Honey, La Costa Lobster Tacos, Sweet B’s Donuts, Jai Coffee and Ben & Jerry’s offered a lively selection of match-day favorites, adding to the festive atmosphere surrounding the field.
Following a scoreless fourth chukker, Pittsburgh began steadily working its way back into contention. Burkland scored his second goal of the afternoon in the fifth period, narrowing Newport’s advantage to a single goal and setting the stage for a decisive final chukker.
Chris Fragomeni opened the sixth with a goal for Newport, restoring the home team’s two-goal lead at 6–4. Pittsburgh, however, refused to let the match slip away. Burkland completed his hat trick before Kennedy scored his second goal of the afternoon, erasing Newport’s advantage and tying the match at 6–6 as the final horn sounded.
With the Vanderbilt-Carnegie Cup still undecided, the teams returned to the field for sudden-death overtime. The tension carried across the grounds as each possession presented an opportunity to end the match. Pittsburgh ultimately broke through with the decisive goal, completing its comeback and securing a dramatic 7–6 victory.
Rory Torrey and Minnie Keating officiated the closely contested match, which remained competitive from the opening throw-in through the final overtime goal.
This week’s Veuve Clicquot Door Prize was awarded to a guest visiting from Scottsdale, Arizona. The winner also earned a place in the season-long Turkish Airlines Grand Prize Drawing for round-trip business-class airfare for two to any destination served by the airline.
As the afternoon drew to a close, players and guests gathered for the Vanderbilt-Carnegie Cup trophy presentation and a celebratory Veuve Clicquot Champagne toast. Against the timeless setting of Glen Farm, the ceremony offered a fitting conclusion to a day that blended Gilded Age tradition, spirited competition and the unmistakable excitement of overtime polo.
Pittsburgh departed Newport with the Cup, but not before both teams delivered a match worthy of the historic names it represents. Defined by shifting momentum, individual brilliance and a determined second-half comeback, the 11th Vanderbilt-Carnegie Cup added another memorable chapter to one of Newport Polo’s most distinguished rivalries.
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.