Newport Polo gets OK to host 29th season

Two days before its season opener on June 6, the Newport International Polo Series received the official OK to proceed with the start of its 29th season.

Instead of USA vs. Switzerland, the match featured the home team against a rival squad of players based in Tiverton before a reduced crowd. Newport Polo made a proposal to Gov. Gina Raimondo with restrictions set in place for the season.

Newport Polo said it received strong guidance from the U.S. Polo Association and state leaders, including Julietta Georgakis with the state Departemtn of Business Regulation, John Riendeau with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, state Rep. Terri Cortvriend, Portsmouth Town Administrator Richard Rainer and Discover Newport CEO Evan Smith.

"In working with the State agencies to get the approval, we definitely felt that they were dedicated to finding solutions to help us open,” Dan Keating, president of Newport Polo, said in a prepared statement. "Our players and staff have made intensive preparations over the past weeks to deliver the Newport Polo experience that many have come to love."

According to the Newport Polo proposal, ticket sales can only be purchased online, The Daily News previously reported.

Tailgating spectators are separated by 10-foot “buffer zones” that are clearly marked. Security at the venue is on patrol and enforcing social-distancing rules. Pavilion seating is sold online in tables of four, six or eight, and tables are separated by 10-foot buffer zones. The large video scoreboard reminds attendees of the social-distancing requirements.

“The uniqueness of our venue and the program we’ve developed over the past few years, it allows us to switch on social-distancing programming and keep people in controlled numbers with plenty of space in between them,” Agnes Keating told The Daily News in late April. “They don’t need to be shoulder to shoulder.”

On Friday night, the polo field hosted the Portsmouth High School graduation ceremony.

The polo series is scheduled for the next 16 weeks each Saturday. The schedule of teams is subject to change because of state restrictions on international travel. Tickets can be purchased at nptpolo.com, where there is also additional details on safety measures.