About trust, horsemanship and the gentleman's sport of polo
Dr. Stefan A. Locher is President of the Swiss Polo Association and an active polo player. In conversation, he explains what connects him to the Ascona Polo Cup, why polo is considered the sport of gentlemen, and why unconditional trust between rider and horse, as well as horsemanship, are paramount to him.
As President of the Swiss Polo Association, Dr. Stefan A. Locher knows the sport of polo from every perspective – as an official and as an active player. In conversation, he offers personal insights into his passion, his values, and his connection to the Ascona Polo Cup.
What connects him to Ascona
«Friendship with Matteo Beffa and the entire organizing committee connects me to the Ascona Polo Club. Additionally, you meet dear friends and polo players again every year. It is, in a way, an annual reunion of the Swiss and international polo scene. Ascona is also probably the most beautiful arena polo tournament one can play. The proximity to the audience and the local population during the parade through Ascona on Saturday is unique.»
The unique atmosphere
«The atmosphere on the field, in the tent, or around the polo tournament is unique. The Ticino mountain world, the pleasant temperatures, and the mostly sunny weather also contribute to a great mood. And even though it is a competitive tournament, a large portion of fun, sociability, and party are always on the agenda. Such a varied atmosphere is not found at any other polo tournament.»
Trust between rider and horse
"The trust between rider and horse must be unconditional. As a rider, I must always be able to rely on my horse. At the same time, horsemanship and the well-being of the horse are of the utmost importance. It is a huge pleasure to compete in this polo tournament with a team of experienced players. In particular, one is swept along by better-playing teammates and encouraged to achieve top performances. Of course, it must not be forgotten that precision and speed play a role. Furthermore, a game can only be decided in the very last second – so your head must stay in the game until the end."
About the horse as the most important partner
«Horse and polo game form a unit, with the horse certainly making up the far larger part of this team. For me, a good polo horse must be easy to ride, have a beautiful gallop, and provide me with security during the game or training. When playing polo, it is important that I can rely on my horse completely – it is, so to speak, my life insurance.»
Respect, Decency – The Sport of Gentlemen
«For me, respect and decency are among the most important values in polo. It is not for nothing that polo is called the sport of gentlemen. I also find it very important that at the end of a game, when you dismount, you can shake hands with each other.»
Team spirit and communication
«The success of a good polo team is certainly based on good communication. Without clear and tactical agreements within the team, you are lost in this sport. Everyone is assigned a role at the beginning of a game, which they have to fulfill as best as possible in attack or defense. At the same time, every player also supports their teammates – as is fitting for a team sport.»
Unforgettable Moments
«In my polo career, I have experienced many unforgettable moments. This certainly includes winning the Ascona Polo Tournament last year. The two victories at the Polo Picnic in Münster and the German Polo Masters on Sylt also remain in fond memory. Another highlight is certainly winning the Swiss Low Goal Championship last year. At all polo tournaments, you always meet exciting and interesting people, so I don't want to single anyone out.»
The audience in Ascona
«The audience in Ascona is unique and is practically on your neck or symbolically on the back of the pony. It brings joy when the audience stands at the edge of the field and cheers. The situation at the polo picnic in Münster is very impressive, when around 5000 spectators are present on Sunday afternoon for the final match. It is also always exciting when spectators come up to you after a game to inspect the ponies up close and exchange a few words with the players. These are always beautiful moments.»
His advice to everyone who doesn't know polo yet
«People who have only experienced polo from the outside so far, I would recommend to get on a polo pony themselves. There are certainly some prejudices one has towards the sport. However, most of them can be quickly refuted. Polo remains the fastest team sport. A few years ago, I coined the phrase: ‹If you got infected, we aPOLOgize.› So the chance of being infected by this polo virus is huge.»
«It is definitely worth watching the sport of polo up close. There is something magical about smelling sweat, horses, and excitement in the air. This experience and the proximity to the sport, as you can experience it in Ascona, cannot be experienced via television.»
A concluding thought
«Anyone who misses this unique tournament is to blame themselves. See you in Ticino.»
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Stefan A. Locher?
Dr. Stefan A. Locher is President of the Swiss Polo Association and an active polo player. He is committed to the sport of polo in Switzerland and regularly participates in the Ascona Polo Cup.
What connects him to the Ascona Polo Cup?
Friendship with Matteo Beffa and the organizing committee, as well as the annual reunion with the Swiss and international polo scene, connect him. For him, Ascona is probably the most beautiful arena polo tournament one can play.
Why is polo called the sport of gentlemen?
Because respect and decency are among the most important values in polo. For Dr. Locher, this also includes players shaking hands with each other at the end of a game.
What makes a good polo pony?
A good polo horse should be easy to ride, have a beautiful gallop, and provide security in both play and training. For Dr. Locher, the horse forms the larger part of the team – it is, so to speak, his life insurance.
What advice does he have for people who are not yet familiar with polo?
To sit on a polo pony yourself once and experience the sport up close. Many prejudices could be quickly refuted – and the danger of contracting "polo fever" is huge.