Der Rote Drache - People- und Polofotografie

06/06/2026

From show jumping to polo. From motherhood back onto the field.

Some stories are bigger than the picture itself.

Before polo, Tuuli Sopanen built her career in show jumping, competing successfully for Finland at international level. Today, she is writing a new chapter.

After welcoming baby Olivia into the world, Tuuli is already back where she belongs: on a polo field.

This image is not a classic polo photograph. You can barely see her face. Another player blocks most of the frame. There is no perfect swing, no clear portrait, no obvious hero shot.

But that is exactly why I love it. Because this is what polo feels like. Fast. Chaotic. Intense. Moments appear and disappear in a fraction of a second. Sometimes all you get is a glimpse of a player fighting for position, fully focused on the next play.
And somehow, that glimpse tells the whole story.

Welcome back, Tuuli. And welcome to the polo family, Olivia. ❤️

06/06/2026

03/06/2026

The pictures from May Challenge 2026 are online! Enjoy the memories! https://derrotedrachephotography.zenfoliosite.com/may-challenge-2026

02/06/2026

You don’t understand polo because you’ve watched it. You understand polo when you’ve cried for a horse you loved.

There is a difference between knowing polo and living polo.
Living polo means celebrating victories that nobody else remembers.

It means getting back on a horse after a fall.
It means riding with broken bones, aching muscles and bruises you don’t talk about.

It means friendships that span continents.
And sometimes it means standing beside a horse for the last time.

Lara taught me about love, trust and loss.
Sombrilla reminds me every day why we keep going.
And Faraona is the future.

What makes the polo community special is not the glamour, the tournaments or the trophies. It’s the people who stand beside you when your horse is injured.

The messages from around the world when your horse dies. The understanding that only comes from those who have loved a horse deeply enough to have their heart broken.

Polo is not something you watch. Polo is something you live.

❤️🐴

02/06/2026

Sometimes polo creates more than great players. It creates great stories. ❤️🏇

Many people know Manu Bereterbide as one of the most exciting young talents in polo. His skill, determination and passion for the game are already taking him far beyond Argentina.

But behind every great player is also a human story.

For the last two years, Manu and Anna have shown that love can overcome distance, cultures and borders. Argentina and Switzerland may be thousands of kilometres apart, but polo brought them together.

What inspires me most is not only their relationship, but the way they support each other while building a life between two countries and two worlds.

The polo community is often described as a family. Manu and Anna are a beautiful example of why. Through polo, people meet, friendships are formed, and sometimes those friendships become something much bigger.

Thank you both for reminding us that some of the most important connections in life begin on a polo field.

❤️🇦🇷🇨🇭🏇

01/06/2026

Sometimes the photographer becomes the subject.

For years, I have documented the people, horses, emotions and unforgettable moments of the polo world. Usually, I am behind the camera. And that means there are very few images or videos of me doing what I love most.

That is why this video is such a special gift.

A huge thank you to Laurin Merle, who captured me at work in the Polo Park Zürich with a level of professionalism, creativity and attention to detail that truly means a lot to me.

What makes this even more remarkable is that Laurin arrived as a guest in an environment that was completely new to him. Within no time, he had found friends, great conversations and his place within the polo community.

Maybe that is one of the things I love most about polo: people from different backgrounds come together through a shared passion and quickly become part of something bigger.

Thank you, Laurin, for this video, your friendship and for reminding me that sometimes the person behind the camera deserves to be seen too.

30/05/2026

The Polo Gold Cup Gstaad is more than a tournament.

It is world-class polo played at the highest level. It is breathtaking scenery. It is elegance, tradition, and passion coming together in a truly unique atmosphere.

But what makes Gstaad special goes beyond the field.

Behind every match stands a team of dedicated professionals whose commitment, excellence, and camaraderie make this event what it is. From the players and officials to the organizers, grooms, volunteers, and staff—everyone contributes to something extraordinary.

For me, it is both a privilege and a joy to be part of this event as a photographer and to capture the moments that make the Polo Gold Cup Gstaad one of the highlights of the international polo season.

Thank you for your trust, your professionalism, and your friendship .genecand

See you on the sidelines. 📸

30/05/2026

Wer Bilder klaut, begeht keinen „kleinen Fehler“ – sondern Diebstahl.

In den vergangenen Tagen musste ich feststellen, dass mehrere meiner Fotos aus dem Onlineshop des Stuttgarter Reitvereins per Screenshot entwendet wurden.

Anschließend wurden die Wasserzeichen mit Hilfe von KI entfernt und die Bilder ohne Lizenz genutzt.

Nennen wir es beim richtigen Namen:

Das ist keine kreative Abkürzung.
Das ist keine Grauzone.
Das ist Diebstahl geistigen Eigentums.

Wer in ein Geschäft geht und Ware mitnimmt, ohne zu bezahlen, begeht Ladendiebstahl. Bei Fotos gilt nichts anderes. Hinter jedem Bild stehen Zeit, Erfahrung, Investitionen, Anfahrten, Bildbearbeitung und viele Stunden Arbeit.

Alle Betroffenen haben jetzt die Möglichkeit,

• die Bilder unverzüglich zu löschen oder
• die reguläre Lizenzgebühr nachzuzahlen.

Was viele nicht wissen:

Auch Bilder, die per Screenshot gespeichert und nachträglich verändert wurden, können heute über inverse Bildsuche und spezialisierte Software identifiziert werden.

Jede unrechtmäßige Nutzung stellt einen Verstoß gegen das Urheberrecht dar und wird rechtlich verfolgt.

Aus diesem Grund habe ich mich außerdem entschieden, künftig keine Turniere mehr für den Stuttgarter Reitverein zu fotografieren.

Schade, denn ich habe die Pferde, Reiterinnen und Reiter und viele Menschen dort sehr gerne fotografiert. Respekt gegenüber kreativer Arbeit ist jedoch keine optionale Höflichkeit, sondern die Grundlage jeder Zusammenarbeit.

Fotografie hat einen Wert.
Urheberrecht gilt auch im digitalen Zeitalter.

28/05/2026

The images from Zurich Low Goal Championship 2026 are online! Enjoy the memories! https://derrotedrachephotography.zenfoliosite.com/zurich-low-goal-championship-2026

27/05/2026

Polo is competitive. But without respect and camaraderie, it is nothing.

A simple handshake — but moments like this say a lot about the spirit of polo.

After more than a year away, Facu Kelly returned to Polo Park Zürich as umpire for the Zürich Low Goal Championship. Known for his extraordinary riding style and intensity on the field, Facu represents the passion and authenticity that make this sport so special.

But beyond the games, the goals, and the competition, polo has always been about something bigger:
respect, trust, loyalty, and community.

The polo world is small.
People remember how you treat others.
And the strongest communities are built by people who support each other, stand together, and genuinely care.

This is one of those moments.