On 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 an interview, he talks about 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 his top priorities.
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 shares personal insights into his passion, his values, and his connection to the Ascona Polo Cup.
What connects you to Ascona
«My friendship with Matteo Beffa and the entire organizing committee connects me to the Polo Club Ascona. Furthermore, we meet up every year with dear friends and polo players. It is, in a way, an annual gathering of the Swiss and international polo scene. Ascona is also, probably, the most beautiful arena polo tournament one can play in. The proximity to the public and the local population during the Saturday parade through Ascona is unique.»
The unique atmosphere
«The atmosphere on the playing field, in the tent, or even around the polo tournament is unique. The Ticino mountains, the mild temperatures, and the mostly sunny weather also contribute to a great environment. And even though it is a competitive tournament, a large dose of fun, socializing, and partying is always on the program. Such a varied atmosphere is not found at any other polo tournament.»
Trust between rider and horse
«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 the top priority. It is a great joy to be able to participate in this polo tournament as a team with experienced players. In particular, we are driven by teammates who play better and are encouraged to achieve our best performance. Of course, one cannot forget that precision and speed play a role. A game can be decided in the very last second – so the mind must be focused until the end.»
About the horse as the most important partner
“The horse and the game of polo form a unit, with the horse undoubtedly representing the greater part of this team. For me, a good polo horse must be easy to ride, have a beautiful gallop, and give me a sense of security during a game or training. When playing polo, it is important to be able to trust 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 consider it very important that, at the end of a game, when you dismount, you can shake hands with one another.”
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 receives a role at the beginning of a game, which they must fulfill as best as possible in attack or defense. At the same time, every player also supports their teammates – as is to be expected in a team sport.”
Unforgettable moments
“In my polo career, I have been able to experience countless unforgettable moments. Certainly, the victory at the Ascona Polo Tournament last year counts among them. Likewise, the two victories at the Polo Picnic in Münster and at the German Polo Masters in Sylt remain in the best of memories. Another highlight is undoubtedly the victory at the Swiss Low Goal Championship last year. At every polo tournament, we always meet interesting and fascinating people, so I would not want to single out anyone in particular.”
The audience in Ascona
“The audience in Ascona is unique and is, in a way, right behind you or symbolically at your back. It is a pleasure when the audience is at the edge of the field and applauds. The situation at the polo picnic in Münster is very impressive, when about 5000 spectators are present on Sunday afternoon during the final match. It is also always exciting when spectators approach you after a game to observe the ponies up close and exchange a few words with the players. These are always beautiful moments.”
Your advice for everyone who does not yet know polo
«For those who have only experienced Polo from the outside so far, I would recommend sitting on a polo pony. There are certainly some prejudices regarding the sport. However, most can be refuted very quickly. Polo remains the fastest team sport. A few years ago, I coined the phrase: ‹If you got infected, we aPOLOgize.› The chance of being infected by this polo virus is therefore enormous.»
«It is definitely worth seeing polo up close. There is something magical about smelling the sweat, horses, and tension in the air. This experience and the proximity to the sport, as one can experience in Ascona, are not possible to experience on television.»
A final reflection
«Anyone who misses this unique tournament is a fool. 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 you to the Ascona Polo Cup?
What connects him is the 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 probably the most beautiful arena polo tournament one can play.
Why is polo called the sport of gentlemen?
Because in polo, respect and decency are fundamental values. For Dr. Locher, this also includes the players shaking hands with each other at the end of a game.
What makes a good polo horse?
A good polo horse must be easy to ride, have a beautiful gallop, and convey safety both in the game and in training. For Dr. Locher, the horse constitutes the largest part of the team – it is, so to speak, his life insurance.
What advice do you give to people who are not yet familiar with polo?
Ride a polo pony and experience the sport up close. Many prejudices can be quickly refuted – and the risk of being infected by the 'polo virus' is enormous.