We spoke with Sébastien Le Page, president of Polo Park Zürich, about his vision of Standing Rock and its role in the polo world.
What do you particularly appreciate about working with or interacting with Standing Rock?
I particularly like the personality of Philipp Müller. He is at the same time serious, very well organized and always joyful. He thinks about others before thinking about himself, treating polo players, grooms and professionals equally with empathy and friendliness. He is also very focused when it comes to polo, choosing the right professionals and the right horses. This is proven by the amount of wins he and his son have had in the last few years. When you win this much, it is not by chance. He is also a very charitable man, as we see with his foundation and what he has been doing for Basti Fernandez. And he’s always positive and cracking jokes. So it is a real pleasure to engage with him and the Standing Rock team.
What distinguishes Standing Rock from its competitors/polo teams in your opinion?
Attitude for sure, the attention to detail, the love of horses, and how they treat others is not so common in the polo world. I guess that’s why we at Polo Park Zürich feel so close to Standing Rock, as we share exactly the same values. Some polo teams sometimes ditch the values for the sole goal of winning. Not so with Standing Rock, values come first. I wish more teams were like this.
What values does Standing Rock convey to you?
Respect, tradition, honour, humility, dedication, charity, friendliness, care for horses and humans, and work ethics are the first ones that spring to mind. And a good deal of fun too.
Is there something that makes Standing Rock unique?
Their attachment to the Native American Indians stands out compared to other polo teams or charities. This goes back to the previous question of values. The Native Americans have a long history, are a proud nation, are well skilled with horses, have honour, humility and respect. They have a strong heritage, which polo also has, but Standing Rock has seen the bridge between polo and this cause. I very much understand why Philipp fell in love with this part of American history, still alive today. Actually, only a few days ago we were speaking together about the way the Lakota tribe was treated in the past, and how upset this makes us. This is unique in the history of polo as far as I know.
Can you see any weak spots where Standing Rock should change or improve things?
Yes, definitely. Standing Rock should play at Polo Park Zürich more often.
Do you think Standing Rock is inspiring the world of polo? If so, in what way?
It is always inspiring to see a brand upholding its values. In the case of Standing Rock, the values are clearly defined, and they are not a set of rules to follow, but a way of life to embrace. This can only come from strong and empathic leadership from the front lines. I believe this inspires many people in the polo world today.
Source: PoloHUB Read More