The equestrian world is witnessing a unique fusion of disciplines in Switzerland. We talked with Annette Fetscherin, who, alongside Adrian Fuchs, is the driving force behind the Polo Masters—a tournament that brings show jumpers and polo players together on the same field.
The Vision Behind the Game
How did the idea for this tournament first come to life?
The concept originated three years ago in Dielsdorf, near Zurich, as a brainchild of Adrian Fuchs. The idea was as unique as it is exciting: each team pairs a professional polo player with a show jumper or dressage rider. By holding the event within the setting of a show jumping competition, we offer a playful way to introduce polo to an audience that is already passionate about horses but might be new to the sport of polo.
How many years has this event been running?
This year marks our third edition of the Polo Masters. Our long-term vision is to grow this into a series held at various show jumping venues across Switzerland. We are already looking ahead to expanding and developing the experience as early as next year.
The Challenge of the Arena
What makes this tournament special compared to other Arena Polo events?
The “X-factor” is definitely seeing elite riders from other disciplines step out of their comfort zone. While they are excellent riders, polo is a completely new world for them. The only requirement is that they take a polo lesson beforehand to understand mallet handling and the basic rules. Using an arena polo ball makes it more accessible, allowing show jumpers to actively participate and create moments of genuine surprise and joy for the crowd.
How do you prepare for an event of this scale?
The heaviest lifting involves securing and managing sponsors. Beyond the logistics, we focus on assembling balanced teams to ensure the exhibition matches are spectacular and competitive. We also work closely with our partner, Black Forest Polo, on the custom design of the team jerseys.
A Celebration of Equestrian Spirit
What kind of feedback have you received from the public?
The response has been incredible. Audiences love the sense of fun. It bridges the gap for many spectators who have never experienced a polo event before. There is a unique atmosphere of sportsmanship and shared passion. We’ve even had Olympic participants like Martin Fuchs and Simone Pearce compete, which adds a high level of prestige to the celebration.
As the tournament continues to grow, it remains a true celebration of the equestrian spirit, proving that when horse lovers come together, the result is unmistakable excitement and laughter.
Source: PoloHUB Read More