Newport Polo celebrated a milestone 150 years in the making on Saturday as the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup honored the founding of America’s First Polo Club. During its 150th Diamond Jubilee season, in partnership with Aston Martin Boston and presented by Turkish Airlines, Glen Farm welcomed two of the Northeast’s premier polo teams for a match that paid tribute to the sport’s rich history while celebrating the traditions that continue to define Newport Polo today.
Inspired by the theme American Decades, guests arrived dressed in styles spanning generations of American fashion, from Gilded Age elegance and Roaring Twenties glamour to classic Americana and retro summer style. Tailgates reflected each era with creativity and flair as friends and families gathered to celebrate an afternoon that honored both Newport Polo’s storied past and its vibrant present.
Throughout the grounds, Aston Martin Boston showcased its latest luxury vehicles while guests explored the Pro Shop, enjoyed the Behind the Scenes Tour presented by TD Bank, and sampled offerings from Simply Chickie, Cluck Truck, The Weiner Wagon, Brie & Honey, Sweet B’s Donuts, Jai Coffee, and Ben & Jerry’s. Dillon’s Patio Bar served the day’s signature cocktail alongside Stella Artois, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, boutique wines, and specialty cocktails, while Barbados Tourism returned with its popular Divot Stomp getaway giveaway.
The afternoon also continued Newport Polo’s tradition of recognizing style through the Stella Artois Best in Show competition, where guests embraced the American Decades theme with imaginative attire and beautifully decorated tailgates.
The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup featured Team Ngapui—Peter Jenkins, Marcus Murphy, Stuart Odell, and Musa Khan—against The Avery, represented by Touba Ghadessi, Chris Fragomeni, Minnie Keating, and Oscar Monzon. Before the opening throw-in, John Olinger, President and CEO of Rockstar Limo, joined players for the ceremonial coin toss, officially opening one of the season’s most anticipated matches.
The match opened with both teams exchanging early opportunities before Minnie Keating found the first goal for The Avery. Musa Khan answered moments later for Team Ngapui, but Oscar Monzon struck twice to give The Avery an early advantage before Khan closed the opening chukker with his second goal, keeping the match within reach.
Momentum continued to swing in the second chukker. Marcus Murphy put Team Ngapui back on the board before Chris Fragomeni answered for The Avery. Oscar Monzon continued his impressive afternoon with another goal, extending The Avery’s lead heading into halftime.
At halftime, Newport Polo President Dan Keating dropped a specially marked cork onto the field for the Visit Barbados Divot Stomp giveaway. As guests crossed the field replacing divots, one lucky participant found the cork and won a luxurious vacation to Barbados, courtesy of Barbados Tourism.
Following the break, Musa Khan sparked a comeback effort with the lone goal of the third chukker, narrowing the margin and setting the stage for a highly competitive second half.
The fourth chukker produced the afternoon’s fastest stretch of play. Khan struck first before Monzon responded immediately. The teams traded goals throughout the period as Khan twice pulled Team Ngapui closer, while Monzon continued to answer each challenge, maintaining The Avery’s advantage entering the fifth.
With the match still hanging in the balance, Musa Khan once again found the goal early in the fifth chukker, refusing to let Team Ngapui fall away. Both sides continued to battle for possession, with neither willing to surrender momentum as the championship approached its final minutes.
The deciding sixth chukker delivered a thrilling finish worthy of the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. Musa Khan continued his outstanding performance, while Oscar Monzon answered with two more goals of his own in a dramatic exchange that kept spectators on edge until the final horn. When play concluded, The Avery secured the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup with a victory, closing an afternoon that showcased the depth of talent and competitive spirit found throughout Newport Polo.
Oscar Monzon finished with an exceptional scoring performance, while Musa Khan answered throughout the afternoon with an equally determined offensive effort, producing one of the season’s most compelling individual matchups.
During the trophy presentation, hosted by Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Governor Dan McKee and Karen Kranenburg of Barbados Tourism joined both teams in celebrating another memorable chapter in Newport Polo’s 150-year history.
One lucky fan from Narragansett, RI also received the week’s Veuve Clicquot Door Prize, earning automatic entry into the season-long grand prize drawing for two business-class tickets from Turkish Airlines to any destination in the world and a vacation to Barbados, sponsored by Visit Barbados.
As players, sponsors, and spectators gathered afterward for the customary champagne toast at Dillon’s Patio Bar, the afternoon served as a fitting celebration of Newport Polo’s remarkable legacy. One hundred fifty years after the club’s founding, the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup honored the traditions that shaped America’s First Polo Club while looking confidently toward the next generation of the sport.