Last weekend, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup once again brought high drama and sporting elegance to the Saanen airfield. In the final, Team Gstaad Palace defeated Albinati Aeronautics 7:4. A decisive role was played by Swiss captain Markus Graeff and his son Thommy: while the seasoned strategist led with tactical precision, the younger Graeff struck a crucial goal that sealed the team’s victory.
 

Polo: A sport of aesthetics and glamour
Polo blends technique, tactics, speed, and teamwork with a strong emphasis on fairness and horse welfare. Often dubbed the “royal game,” the Hublot Polo Gold Cup is renowned for its top-ranked players, gladiatorial duels, and battles for coveted world-ranking points.

The tournament attracts an international audience and, increasingly, a local one too. The appeal lies in the full experience: the thrill of the horses, the glamour of the crowd, the chance to peek inside a private jet parked at the nearby airstrip, or simply the atmosphere of “see and be seen.”

For newcomers, the rules may be complex, but the spectacle is universal: ponies galloping at 60 km/h, stopping abruptly, turning on a dime, and engaging in shoulder-to-shoulder contests. Even without knowing every detail of handicaps, tactics, or foul play, spectators are swept up in the intensity.

The decisive final
In the final, Team Gstaad Palace — with Markus and Thommy Graeff alongside Argentine professionals Martin Podestá Jr. and Francisco Fucci — prevailed against Albinati Aeronautics (Luca Meier, Patricio Gaynor, Santiago Cernadas, and Fabian Bolanterio). After more than an hour of fast-paced play, the scoreboard read 7:4. The Palace team was always ahead, but needed every ounce of skill and experience from its Argentine stars. The highlight for local fans was Thommy Graeff’s goal, which tipped the balance and underlined the family triumph.

A Captain’s passion
For captain Markus Graeff, polo has always been an extension of a lifelong bond with horses. “Equestrian sport was and is my passion,” he explained ahead of the semifinals. Having raced as a jockey in more than 500 races earlier in life, Graeff knows the physical and mental demands of the game. Even now, in his later career, he commits to twice-weekly fitness sessions to keep pace with a sport that pushes both rider and horse to their limits.

That dedication paid off. In the semifinal, Gstaad Palace edged Kielder Agro Group 6:5, and in the final, Graeff’s leadership combined seamlessly with Podestá’s brilliance and his son’s decisive strike to bring the trophy home

Captain Markus Graeff, in his own words: “Equestrian sport was and is my passion.”

How did you discover polo?
I’ve lived with horses since childhood. Who first introduced me to polo, I can’t recall — but equestrian sport has always fascinated me.

Were you already a rider before you started playing polo?
Yes. I grew up working with horses on our farm. Later, I became a jockey in flat racing. As an amateur, I rode in over 500 races and won more than 100.

What excites you about polo?
First and foremost, working with the horses. Then the camaraderie of the team, and of course, the beauty of playing outdoors in nature.

How demanding is the sport?
Extremely. It requires total physical and mental commitment. People often think it’s just galloping around, but it takes every ounce of strength and focus.

How do you keep fit for it?
At my age, it takes effort. I train twice a week in the gym to build core, shoulder, and arm strength — and I don’t neglect cardio. In a match, my pulse can hit 180 beats per minute, while the horse’s heart is racing at around 160.

After the applause
The glamour, the cheers, and the champagne toasts have now faded. As the last tents from the polo village are cleared from the airfield, the Saanen valley returns to its late-summer rhythm — until next year, when the hooves will thunder once more across the alpine turf.
 

by Eugen Dornbierer-Hauswirth | AvS | edited by Jeanette Wichmann