2024 WPC Thanksgiving Cup

The 2024 Autumn Arena Polo Season galloped to a riveting finish with 25 players entering the 12th annual Thanksgiving Cup, showcasing exhilarating matches amidst crisp autumn air and scenic views of the Sakonnet River on Nov. 27-30 at Newport Polo's outdoor polo arena and training center. Under the lights, the competition expanded this year to include three teams showcasing emerging talent in a B Flight, and five A Flight squads fiercely battling for the prestigious Wish Bone Cup. Friends and family supported in the stands for one last hurrah of the season, cheering on this spirited, competitive tournament that has solidified its place as a cherished holiday tradition in Newport Polo's calendar.

B Flight (-2-0 goal) Round Robin

The B Flight tournament featured a round-robin format with thrilling matchups under the lights on Nov. 27. In the opener, Newport Red triumphed over Newport Blue, thanks to Agresta’s hat trick and Russell’s late goal to keep ahead of Dent's pair of goals, for a 4-2 finish. Blue bounced back, with Dent, Belgrave, and Fisher each scoring to secure a shutout against Newport White’s all-female lineup. The final clash saw Red and White deadlocked until a tense overtime penalty shootout, where Wright’s decisive strike clinched the win for White. With all 3 teams tied in wins, Newport Blue claimed 1st place via net goals, followed by Red and White. The jubilent playlers enjoyed chili dogs and a bonfire of camaraderie after their first tournament experience, while organizers conducted the official draw for the A Flight semi finals.

 

The tournament's Semi-Final matches began at Noon on Friday, Nov. 29 under clear, sunny skies and not a turkey in sight. A random draw was held earlier in the week to determine opponents in the opening round's 4 chukker game, followed by a round-robin with the 3 remaining teams.

Semi-Final I rutted the team in blue, The Firm's Todd Plummer, Jair Zenteno and Chris Fragomeni against Los Chicos Andrew Biafore, Gus Reed and Oscar Monzon clad in white/powder blue. The teams were neck and neck through the first half, with Fragomeni's goal plus handicap point standing up to Monzon's 2 field goals in the first chukker, followed by Monzon's 3 back-to-back fieldgoals anwered equally by Fragomeni's 2-pointer and penalty conversion shot to end the first half tied at 5 - 5. Monzon added a 2-point penalty 4 conversion but Zenteno's hat trick gave The Firm the edge in the 3rd chukker, 8 - 7. In the final period, The Firm's defensive strategy neutralized Monzon while Zentena and Fragomeni each contributed field goals for the 10 - 7 win to advance to the Championship.

Semi Final II 's first two chuckers pitted The Avery's Touba Ghadessi and Minnie Keating in gold jerseys against Newport's Leslie Streuli, Tim Day and Dan Keating in white jerseys. Though both teams scored 3 fieldgoals in the opening chukker, by M Keating (2) and Ghadessi for The Avery, and Day (2) and D Keating for Newport, The Avery also earned an extra .5 goal on handicap, to lead 3.5 - 3. M Keating added another fieldgoal in the next period but Newport's D Keating added 2 fieldgoals to take the win, 5 - 4.5. The next matchup in the round robin brought The Avery back to face Newport IS for 2 chukkers of competition. Dwyer, Richard and Strueli all scored for Newport IS, plus had a .5 handicap point to lead 3.5 - 0. In the next chukker, Newport struck first, awaking M Keating on a 4 point rampage that included a 2-point penalty 4 conversion goal, but Newport IS earned a pony goal and fieldgoals by Dwyer (2) and Richard, for a decisive 8.5 - 4 win. The last pairing was Newport against Newport IS for a high scoring duel that opened with back and forth scoring by each side, with D Keating drawing first and last blood in the scoring spree, answered with H Streuli's goal, then a point for Newport by Day, but a hat trick from Dwyer earned Newport IS a 5-3 lead. Newport started the next chukker giving up a costly penalty 1 point to Newpot IS before going on to score 2 fieldgoals, but it was the penalty goal that gave Newport IS the 6-5 semi final win (on Win/Loss record) to earn the second berth in the championship, while Newport and The Avery will play against Los Chicos for 3rd place in the Consolation.

After a superb Fall afternoon of arena polo action; players, ponies, and attendees retired to the fire pit to revel the accomplishments of the afternoon, sharing libations and refreshments into the night.

The Final rounds on Saturday began with a Consolation round robin 6 chukkers in which Los Chicos pulled ahead of The Avery 6 - 3 in the first heat, to earn a rest during the next 2 chukkers while The Avery's explosive come-from-behind scoring drive handed Newport a 6 - 3.5 loss in the second heat. The third heat of the round robin brought Los Chicos back to give Newport a run as Monzon racked up a hat trick in each chukker to earn Los Chicos the 3rd place overall finish in the tournament. 

The highly anticipated Championship stage was set for a barn burner with The Firm returning to the forum, challenged by the young Newport IS players. The Firm quickly revealed its strategy of getting off to an early lead to wied the upper hand, with 3 quick goals by Plummer and Fragomeni (2) before Dwyer could answer with a goal for Newport IS, then both teams converted penalty 2 free hit opportunities from the 15 yard line to end the chukker 4 - 2 in favor of The Firm. Richard narrowed the gap for Newport IS to open the second chukker, but Zenteno converted another Penalty 2 and Fragomeni added 2 more goals to exted The Firm's lead, 7 - 3 at halftime. Streuli's second goal came in the 3rd chukker for Newport IS who held The Firm to a single goal by its captain, Fragomeni for a tally of 8 - 4. The final chukker was an all-out spree as Streuli and company delivered 3 points to come within a goal of its rival, but then gave up the next 3 points on penalty shots by Zenteno and Fragomeni who blasted a 2-pointer from a center hit, then Streuli's final effort was answered by 2 more goals for The Firm, to capture 1st Place in the 13 - 8 victory, to claim the Wish Bone!

Winners Trophies and the golden Wish Bone were presented to The FIrm on the podium. MVP honors went to Jair Zenteno for his unrelenting effort, and the Best Playing Pony was Tarzan ridden by Ava Richard. The day concluded with both teams sharing stories and comradery with fireside hospitality as Jupiter and the night stars rose over the serene waters of the Sakonnet River.

The Spring and Autumn arena seasons mark the pulse of New England polo, where players of all levels converge for action-packed competition. It’s the breeding ground for youth and collegiate polo, the proving ground for emerging talent, and the stage for the Northeast’s highest-handicapped women’s tournament each year. Enthusiastic teens, seasoned pros, and fresh faces alike take to the arena with unrelenting passion, extending their polo opportunities far beyond the traditional grass season. After the thrill of the grass sesason ends, the region’s crisp, invigorating Autumn weather sets a perfect scene for fierce rivalries and camaraderie, making it a must-play period for any rated player seeking high-octane thrills in an idyllic environment.

Photo: JR Richard

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About Newport Polo:  Newport Polo is the home of the Westchester Polo Club, America’s first polo club est. 1876, and a charter member of the United States Polo Association, offering public exhibition matches, polo club membership, and polo instruction year-round. The founding members, who hailed mostly from Westchester County, NY, established the club's summer headquarters and polo grounds in Newport, RI where its members annually convened for summer recreation. The original club, based in Newport, is credited for organizing the world's first international polo competition, the Westchester Cup, and remained active until 1929. The Westchester Polo Club was revived in 1992 by current President and USPA Delegate, Dan Keating. Known today as Newport Polo, the Club supports a vibrant polo training program, developing players in weekly polo lessons with open enrollment for new players, as well as membership for club chukkers and tournaments in spring, summer, and autumn. Click Here to read & subscribe for the weekly polo schedule with opportunities to play for all levels!  Newport Polo is also home to the Brown University Polo Team, and the Newport Varsity & JV Interscholastic Teams. The polo club provides the infrastructure to host the Newport International Polo Series, a popular summer exhibition series held annually on Saturdays, June - September.