# Interview Swiss Polo Association Locher **Source:** https://en.poloclubascona.ch/da/interview-swiss-polo-association-locher **Language:** English --- - Ascona Polo Cup - About Us & History - APC TV & Photos - APC26 - APC-newspaper - News & Press - Contact & Crew - Become a sponsor - Ascona Polo Cup - About Us & History - APC TV & Photos - APC26 - APC-newspaper - News & Press - Contact & Crew - Become a sponsor © 2026 Polo Club Ascona # «The horse is life» – Dr. Stefan A. Locher, President of the Swiss Polo Association APC editorial team - August 4, 2026 - 8:12 ## On trust, horsemanship, and the gentleman's sport of polo **Dr. Stefan A. Locher is the president of the Swiss Polo Association and an active polo player. In this conversation, he shares what connects him to the Ascona Polo Cup, why polo is considered a gentleman's sport, and why unconditional trust between rider and horse, as well as horsemanship, are at the top of his list.** 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 this conversation, he provides personal insights into his passion, his values, and his connection to the Ascona Polo Cup. ### What connects him to Ascona > I am connected to the Polo Club Ascona through my friendship with Matteo Beffa and the entire organizing committee. Furthermore, every year you meet dear friends and polo players again. It is, in a way, an annual rendezvous for the Swiss and international polo scene. Ascona is also arguably 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 even around the polo tournament is unique. The Ticimountains, the pleasant temperatures, and the mostly sunny weather also contribute to a super vibe. And even though it is a competitive tournament, a large portion of fun, socializing, and partying is always on the agenda. You won't find such a varied atmosphere 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 horse's well-being are at the top of the agenda. It is a huge pleasure to participate in this polo tournament together with experienced players on the team. You are especially carried away by better-playing teammates and encouraged to achieve top performances. One must, of course, not forget that precision and speed play a role in this context. Furthermore, a game can only be decided in the last second – so your head must be in the game all the way to the end.” ### *About the horse as the most important partner* > “Horse and polo game form a unit, where the horse certainly makes up the vast majority of this team. For me, a good polo horse must be easy to ride, have a good gallop, and give me security in the game or during training. When playing polo, it is important that I can fully trust my horse – it is, so to speak, my life insurance.” ### Respect, decency – the gentleman's sport > «For me, respect and decency count among the most important values in the sport of polo. It is not without reason that polo is called the gentleman's sport. I also think it is very important that you can shake hands when you get off the horse after a match.» ### Team spirit and communication > «The success of a good polo team is undoubtedly based on good communication. Without clear and tactical agreements within the team, you are lost in this sport. At the start of a match, everyone is assigned a role that they must perform as well as possible in attack or defense. At the same time, every player also supports their teammates – exactly as it should be in a team sport.» ### Unforgettable moments > In my polo career, I have been able to experience countless unforgettable moments. This certainly includes the victory at the Ascona polo tournament last year. Likewise, the two victories at the polo picnic in Münster and at the German Polo Masters on Sylt remain in good memory. Another highlight is certainly the victory at the Swiss Low Goal Championship last year. At all polo tournaments, you always meet exciting and interesting people, so I would not want to single anyone out. ### The audience in Ascona > «The audience in Ascona is unique and sits in a way right on your neck or symbolically on the back of the pony. It is a joy when the audience stands along the sidelines and cheers. The situation at the polo picnic in Münster is very impressive when about 5000 spectators are present at the final match on Sunday afternoon. It is also always exciting when the spectators come up to you after a match to see the ponies up close and exchange a few words with the players. These are always some lovely moments.» ### His advice to everyone who does not yet know about polo > «To people who have only experienced polo from the outside so far, I would recommend that they try getting on a polo pony themselves. There are certainly some prejudices one has towards the sport. Most of them, however, can be quickly disproven. Polo is still considered the fastest team sport. A few years ago, I created the expression: ‹If you got infected, we aPOLOgize.› The chance of being infected with this polo virus is therefore enormous.» > “It is definitely worth seeing the sport of polo up close. There is something magical about sensing the smell of sweat, horses, and excitement in the air. This experience and the proximity to the sport, which one can experience in Ascona, cannot be experienced via television.” ### A final thought > “Whoever misses this unique tournament has only themselves to blame. See you in Ticino.” --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Who is Dr. Stefan A. Locher? Dr. Stefan A. Locher is the 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? He is connected through his friendship with Matteo Beffa and the organizing committee, as well as the annual reunion with the Swiss and international polo scene. For him, Ascona is likely the most beautiful arena polo tournament one can play. ### Why is polo called the gentleman's sport? Because respect and decency count among the most important values in the sport of polo. For Dr. Locher, this also means that the players shake hands after a match. ### What characterizes a good polo horse? A good polo horse should be easy to ride, have a good gallop, and provide security both in games and training. For Dr. Locher, the horse makes up the largest part of the team – it is, so to speak, his life insurance. ### What does he advise people who do not yet know polo? To try getting on a polo pony yourself and experience the sport up close. Many prejudices can be quickly dispelled – and the danger of being infected with the "polo virus" is enormous. ## In conversation: Dr. Stefan A. 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