SILVER SEASON
Newport
Rhode Island club celebrates its 25th year
Polo, home of the Westchester Polo Club, Howe and Stefanie Boyer tied for the 2016 Sportsmanship celebrated the conclusion of its 25th anniversary season on Award. Nearly a dozen mustache-clad nominees in each November 1 and recognized honorees category were on hand in anticipation, with special awards. until the winners were announced. Glasses were raised in appreciation Captain Dan Keating expressed of its 2016 sponsors including NBC10, unanimous appreciation to polo BMW Centers of RI, ALEX AND ANI; manager Dave Markell for his 13th Cox, Newport Daily News, Veuve season with the club. Clicquot Champagne, Vanderbilt The presentation culminated in an International Properties, Forty 1° induction into the Newport Polo Hall North; Hyatt Regency Newport, Hotel of Fame: none more deserving than Viking, NAVSTA Newport, RISD, the beloved voice of Newport Polo, Stella Artois, Rockstar Limo, Clarke commentator William Crisp, who has Cooke House, Lufthansa, Shreve been part of the polo series since its Crump & Low, Atria, Greengear inaugural year, captaining the first Global, WaterRower and McGrath English team in 1992, and then Clambakes. becoming a U.S. citizen and playing Shiney 25th anniversary medallions for USA, then serving as polo series were presented to the private lodging umpire until starting his assent in hosts of international teams. 2006 as the legendary commentator, Heather Souto was voted as Most Improved Player by her peers. International Polo Charity Ball arguably one of the best in the world ovations were expressed to 2016 Gala today. During his address, Keating Ambassadors Heather and Roger Souto and newportFILM explained, “William has been instrumental in advancing founder and artistic director Andrea van Beuren, and to the the sport of polo, even more so in his career as a auction committee members present, commentator and soon to be published Lynn Kaye, Stacie Mills, Ann Clemens author.” and Agnes Keating for their time and The Newport Polo Hall of Fame was energy in supporting beneficiary officially inaugurated in August 2016, newportFILM, and to all 400-plus with the retirement of legendary generous attendees this year, without mount, Ginger, a 27-year-old whom the results would not have been Thoroughbred owned by Dan Keating so successful. and ridden by most of the club’s Also acknowledged were the 2016 members as they learned to play, and Best Playing Ponies: Persia loaned to favored among international teams as Mexico and Jamaica; Skyfall loaned to the most-named Best Playing Pony. Australia; Missy loaned to Italy; Raton Marking his 25-year milestone of loaned to Ireland; Jack loaned to contributions to the polo series and France; Negrita loaned to England; forthcoming book on polo and Arnold loaned to Morocco by commentating, Crisp was named as the Minnie and Dan Keating. first human inductee. Presentations of this year's “The awards dinner is an manager Dave Markell presents Laurel Sportsmanship Award and Most Polo opportunity to express appreciation for Howe the Sportsmanship Award, an honor Improved Player Award were conveyed the leading figures that make the polo she shared with Stefanie Boyer. by previous recipients Sam Clemens series a great tradition,” said Newport and Alexander King. Chosen by their peers, the perpetual Polo president, Dan Keating. “After celebrating the trophies were awarded to Heather Souto, voted Most successful 25th anniversary season, plans are already Improved Player this season (also in 2009), while Laurel underway to make exciting improvements for 2017.”
20 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N