Bucolic Luncheon for the “Whips” at Greenvale Vineyards: a Regal Coaching Ball at The Breakers

Coaching at Chateau-sur-Mer

Newport was transported back to the l9th century, the nostalgic best of it, as coaches and teams of four rolled down Bellevue Avenue, along the beaches, through Middletown and Portsmouth, to the delight of passers-by. The Third Triennial Coaching Weekend had begun, and a Newport tradition was being recreated.

The favored transport of The Wetmores, the Bells, the Vanderbilts and the Belmonts, the coaches, their owners, whips, and passengers took place in a thrilling historical pageant.

Walter and India Eayrs at Greenvale

As the coaches rumbled down the country lane to the beautiful waterfront of Greenvale Vineyards, hosts Nancy Parker, and Nancy and William Wilson, he of the Preservation Society Board, made sure that all were welcomed, and that the tent was in readiness. The sun shone, the hats were superb, the costumes delightful. The best comment came from Whip Walter Aeyrs, who asked his groom to ”fetch the bottle of chilled Taittinger from the boot.” It was that sort of afternoon.

Trudy Coxe and Diana Slocum

John Richards, former President of The Coaching Society of England, drove Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt’s coach, the Venture explaining that the British revere Mr. Vanderbilt. Louis Piancone, President of the Coaching Society of America, gave the welcome to all the aficionados of coaching. Under the tent, a lovely seated luncheon was served.

John Richmond, Diana Slocum, Pierre Irving

Oatsie Charles arrived late, Diana Slocum spoke with Preservation Society President Trudy Coxe. Pierre Irving moved around, Frolic Weymouth chatted, Vivian Spencer, assistant to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, arrived with daughter Andrea Ahorn, and Ridgely Beck spoke with Bill Wilson.

Coach arriving at Chateau-sur-Mer

The Coaching Ball at The Breakers Honors Tradition and Decorum of the Horse-Drawn Conveyance

A single white wave arose at dusk behind the Breakers, rolling majestically toward Cliff Walk, towering and mysterious, just as guests were arriving for the Coaching Ball, given by the Preservation Society of Newport County. The wave hinted at enchantment, a dislocation of time and space, a journey to a mystical world.

Donald Tofias, Frolic Weymouth, Kimberly Skeen Jones at Greenvale

And the Ball became that world, as 540 guests attended the distinguished dinner party in the fabled rooms of Cornelius Vanderbilt’s former home, recreating the Gilded Age grandeur of receptions and galas past.

Countess Gladys Szápáry appeared in a wine-colored gown, looking to see that everything was perfect. The footman, Corporal Brandon Aglio, of the Newport Artillery Company, in an authentic livery, stood at the welcoming table. And the whips, grooms, and officers of the Coaching Clubs of England and America came in tails and tuxedos, their ladies in exquisite creations.

Misdee Miller

Chairman of The Coaching Club of England, William Ginns, escorted Martha Hunnewell, as past chairman John Richards spoke with guests about the weekend’s activities. Present were President of the American Coaching Club Louis Piancone, Mr. and Mrs. George Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Gewirz, and the Honorable Esmond Harmsworth, who sat at Countess Szápáry’s table. Chairman of the Board Pierre Dupont Irving attended with his wife Kathy Irving, while Ambassador John L. Loeb spoke with Mrs. John Winslow. Ms. Fernanda Kellogg and Shannon Donnelly of the Palm Beach Shiny Sheet, were there in lovely gowns. Veteran New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham grouped guests for photos, as the interior rooms swelled to capacity, and guest Lisette Princefloated onto the terrace. Linda Lindh, Diana Prince, and Gladys Szápáry served as Ball Co-Chairman, and Chairman of the entire weekend was David E.P. Lindh.

Richard Crisson, Jae French, and Rod O'Hanley

The mysterious wave had subsided by the time dinner was served in the lighted tent, but its spell continued throughout the evening, as guests danced to music of the Bob Hardwick Orchestra. A nostalgic guest program recreated the menu card from the first run of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt’s Venture coach in Brighton, England, on May 4, 1908. John Richards drove the Venture this year through the streets of Newport Rhode island.