Ride high at The Princess’s Cup Thailand
Not only is HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana recognised as a talented fashion designer. She also is known as an accomplished athlete in badminton and equestrian sports as she represented Thailand in badminton in 2005 at the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, winning a team gold.
As for equestrian sports, the Princess competed several times as a member of the Thai equestrian team, the latest in 2017, at the 29th Southeast Asian games in Malaysia, winning a team silver. Her accomplishments in dressage are celebrated, too, having captained the Thai equestrian team at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea in 2014; and in 2013, participated and qualified for the final round of the Dressage Individual in the 27th SEA Games in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.
And in order to promote awareness of equestrian sports among Thai people and to show the world Thailand’s ability to host such events, the Princess’s Cup Thailand was established in 2001.
Now in its sixth edition, the Princess’s Cup Thailand 2018 is back with the Princess herself chairing the Policy Committee of this year’s event, which is taking place at the Royal Stable Unit, Sanam Pao on Phahonyothin Road. The official opening ceremony will take place today at 5pm, and will be presided by HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.
Princess Sirivannavari has been an active horse-rider since childhood, though her interest in international competitions has peaked only within the last few years. She was strongly identified with her passion for horseback riding, and the country rallied behind her at each event. Recently, the Princess trained three days intensively with Christoph Hess, a world-renowned judge and trainer and former director of the training and education for the German Equestrian Federation.
The Princess’s Cup Thailand 2018 sees equestrians from Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taipei, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand and Iran competing in categories such as Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Best Farrier and Best Grooming for horses.
A variety of interesting activities are held alongside the equestrian competitions, including artistic creations concerning horses by young people, “Run With Dogs”, a flea market and food truck, an exhibition and a painting contest of acrylic horse models.
The flea market and food truck operates from Friday to Sunday, noon to midnight. Products range from food, drinks and numerous goods from more than 70 participating booths and trucks.
The exhibition is open every day during the event, with games and giveaways. Officials will give explanations in both Thai and English for visitors. As for the painting contest of acrylic horse models, there are 18 youth teams joining the contest. Visitors are encouraged to vote for the winner.
Other fun-filled activities for the whole family include cleaning of a model stable, horse feeding and pony rides. In addition, horse manure, which makes a suitable and inexpensive fertiliser for plants, will be available for visitors and home gardeners to purchase at a special price.
Lampang’s horse carriage service will help transport members of the general public to and from the venue. Lampang, in the North, is the only province in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as a means of public transport.
The Princess’s Cup Thailand 2018 is held at the Royal Stable Unit (BTS Sanam Pao), from 8am-6pm, from today until Sunday. Lifestyle vintage weekend flea market and food arena runs from Friday to Sunday 11am-11 pm. Free admission.