South Africa Defends Victory

           On Saturday, September 13^th at 4pm, the Newport International Polo Series will host the return of its fiercest competitors to date, South Africa, one of world’s polo powerhouses.  .

            Playing for South African will be some of their highest rated players including Captain Selby Williamson from Jurassic Park Polo Club.

            South Africa has become an international polo powerhouse in recent years, producing some of the world's top players.  Polo was introduced to South Africa by British cavalry regiments garrisoned there in the late 19th century. The first recorded tournament took place at King Williamstown in 1885. The South African Polo Association was formed in 1905 and there are about 38 clubs in South Africa and about 400 players, several of whom are world-class professionals.

            USA team captain Dan Keating states "We are thrilled to have the South African team return to our lineup again this year..  Our die-hard fans will enjoy a challenging match,” and adds “Polo is truly an international sport, played in over 80 countries around the globe, and we are honored to have teams traveling such great distances to play in Newport," adds Keating.

           The match will be followed by a trophy presentation of the inaugural USA vs. South Africa cup and the naming of the Best Playing Pony.

           Newport International Polo Series is nearing the end of the ’07 season, with matches every Saturday through September at Glen Farm in Portsmouth, RI.   Visiting teams this season have come from as far away as Egypt, Scotland, France, Ireland, Canada, Jamaica, England and South Africa, as well as teams from the NE circuit of polo clubs.  Tickets to the matches are sold at the gate on the day of the match.  Tailgate picnics on the lawn are welcome with field-side admission of $10.00 for adults, and children 15 & under are free.  Box seating in the Subscribers Enclosure is also available at the gate.

            The Polo Series takes place on the polo grounds of Glen Farm, 715 East Main Road (Route 138) in Portsmouth, RI, six miles north of downtown Newport.   Glen Farm is a historic property owned by the Town of Portsmouth comprising the last 100 picturesque acres of what was once a vast manorial farm from the Gilded Age whose colonial settlement dates back to the 1600's!

This is the 17^th season of the Newport International Polo Series, which is sponsored by the Carnegie Abbey Club, WCRB Classical Radio, NBC Channel 10, the Newport Daily News,  Lufthansa, Continental Airlines, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Shreve Crump and Low Jewelers, Jake Kaplans Ltd, and Bose.  For more information about partnering with the Polo Series, click here.

            Glen Farm is the remaining 100 acres of  a 700-acre manorial farm whose history dates back to the 1600's.  Its classical stone barns from the Gilded Age and its park-like grounds were rescued from ruins and rehabilitated by the Newport Polo Club's founder in the early 90's and thrive today as a vital equestrian and community recreational property and jewel of Portsmouth.  Read about its fascinating history!