Under the timeless allure of Newport’s Clarke Cooke House, a sold-out celebration welcomed players, benefactors and devotees for Newport Polo’s annual Players’ Dinner and the prestigious Westchester Polo Club Awards.

With enthusiasm running high, guests gathered to toast a season of unforgettable achievements, recognizing outstanding contributions, camaraderie and traditions among the ranks of America’s First Polo Club, perched over the Newport waterfront.

"It is our pleasure to bring together leading figures of our unique community for an end-of-season ovation, to recognize our collective achievements and salute those individuals who went above and beyond over the course of the season," explains Newport Polo Founder and President, Dan Keating.

The night kicked off with a vibrant cocktail hour in the Skybar, followed by a sumptuous three-course seated dinner on the scenic Porch, the establishment's penultimate and timeless fine dining experience with harbor views from pillowed banquettes.

As the menu creciendo'd with the Snowball in Hell presented to each guest, Newport Polo founder Dan Keating and Club Manager Dave Markell recanted the contributions of all who made the season extraordinary, raising glasses to toast our loyal sponsors, dedicated staff and devoted stakeholders who propelled Newport Polo’s success. The night continued in high spirits, honoring 2024’s Best Playing Ponies, saluting international rivals, and applauding those who leaned in to contribute to the International Polo Charity Ball fundraising goals, namely Gala Ambassadors Meg & Jeremy Stow, and Auction Committee Members that were present - Alessandra Dolnier, Stacie Mills and Agnes Keating, drumming up over $50,000 for Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice to fund optimal health and care for newborns

Glasses were raised to toast our private lodging hosts who opened their homes to the international teams, and then to 2024 Newport International Polo Series Sponsors including Brenton Hotel, BD, TD Bank, Turkish Airlines, Modern Luxury Boston, Herb Chambers Exotics, Vanderbilt International Properties, Hotel Viking, Hammetts Hotel, Newport Harbor Island Resort, Forty 1° North, Newport Life, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Providence Business News, Clarke Cooke House among others. 

For the Club's awards, Coaches Dan and Minnie Keating distinguished the Rookie of the Year, Michael Kearney, while former Sportsmanship Award winner Oscar Monzon announced Chris Fragomeni as the 2024 Sportsman of the Year, and former winner Touba Ghadessi passed the torch to this year's Most Improved Player Dan Kinsella (see all past award winners) and Club Manager Dave Markell gave a standing ovation to the game’s true heroes—the 2024 Best Playing Ponies—before receiving a special commendation himself, honoring his two decades of dedicated service.

To close the night with spirited flair, the floor went to Minnie Keating for her Minnie Awards, dishing out lighthearted player superlatives and roasts before the dance floor lit up with DJ Drew’s irrisistable playlist until bewitching hour. For the 14th consecutive year, Clarke Cooke House reigned as the Polo Series’ Restaurant of the Year, once again proving why it’s the heart of Newport’s social scene and the crown jewel of polo hospitality.

The traditions unfolded in the continuum of America's First Polo Club as it approaches its 150 year sesquicentennial jubillee in 2026, when it will also mark the Polo Series' 35th anniversary. 

Named the Polo Series’ Restaurant of the Year for the 14th consecutive year for innovative cuisine and legendary ambiance as the place to see and be seen, the Clarke Cooke House is a quintessential Newport experience and polo players’ entertainment headquarters in downtown Newport (historical details).

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 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 including beginners!  Newport Polo is also home to the Brown University Polo Team, and the Newport Varsity & JV Interscholastic Teams. Newport Polo also hosts the Newport International Polo Series, a popular summer exhibition series held annually on Saturdays, June - September.