Thailand's national equestrian riders have grown in strength at global events, thanks in part to visionaries such as Harald Link, president of Thailand Equestrian Federation and his team.
Their successes have included the likes of Thai talent Nina Lamsam Ligon who qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games, becoming the first Asian female rider and the youngest overall to compete in the Olympics. Dual Endurance riders Wipawan Pawitayalarp and Prutirut R. Serireongrit also made their presence felt at the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Equestrian Games 2014. They gave their competitors a run for their money at both the SEA Games and Asian Games.
The 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, scheduled to be held from Aug 18 to Sept 2, will probably be no different.
"Our 20-year vision is to make riding sports so enjoyable, so accessible and so affordable so that we can have 100,000 riders in the future. Currently there are over 1,000 sports riders and few thousand that are not registered. This is a long process and does not happen overnight," said Link, also an avid polo rider and CEO of B.Grimm Group.
"There are about 90 clubs all over the country. By making it enjoyable and accessible there is a higher probability for them to join. A vision for the nearer future is to become a top contender in Asia, which we aim to start by becoming one of the best in Southeast Asia."
Link said that to reach their goals, it is imperative to concentrate on the development of the sport because during competitions people largely concentrate on the final results, forgetting that development is equally important.
Broadening the base number of riders is crucial to the future development of the equestrian movement in Thailand, he said.
"Besides building a larger number of skilled riders we have to improve their competitive skills. To do this my deputies and I have been investing in horses for those riders who are very capable but have no money. This is needed so when the two-to-three riders who have invested a lot of money and who train all the time leave the whole team doesn't collapse.
"Before riders with parents with money were able to compete but now we have riders that are capable to compete on their own merit. This way we have a much bigger base and better opportunity for them to compete in more tournaments, helping us to have a better pool of riders to compete at the SEA Games and Asian Games."
To help national Thai riders reach this standard, Link said a number of things have to first be put in place as the discipline is dependent on many professions. Some that come to mind include veterinarians/assistants, physiotherapists, grooms, coaches, riders and more. To top this off, one needs to have riders who are truly passionate about horses. Equally imperative is the need to develop local equestrian officials, Link said, and then of course designers. Adding that "perseverance is the mother of all success".
On challenges, Link said in order to train you have to be on the horse for many hours, and with the stifling weather in Thailand it becomes a challenge to ride a horse for as many hours as you would in Europe.
To overcome this challenge, riders require intelligence and high level of perseverance.
One also needs to keep in mind that Thailand is not a horse-riding country, and that their federation has not been around for long as in other countries where they have been developing the sport for hundreds of years.
Link had this to say about the Thai national squad: "In Southeast Asia, the Thailand team is really good, in some of the events like eventing we are excellent. I believe that in the region they have a chance for the gold medal for the upcoming SEA Games next year in the Philippines."
For the top equestrian official it is not all about bringing home medals, as he explained: "The point is not about making the gold medal because every country can produce one rider who is so outstanding because much money was spent on the rider to become No.1.
"For us it is more about creating a process where you have a number of riders that are really good and are improving all the time that could possibly one day have a gold medal. That is our aim."
On their coaching staff, Link said they have a mix of both local and foreign coaches, who continue to improve their skills through ongoing coaching courses in tandem with the riders.
Link said youngsters interested in riding should contact the nearest horse-riding club where they reside or contact the Thailand Equestrian Federation.
Wipawan Pawitayalarp.
At the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club he said children of club staff and residents from surrounding areas were encouraged to join riding camps. They also observe how tournaments are organised and horses looked after so that the animals have a longer life expectancy. From personal experience, Link said that when animals are looked after well the cost of their maintenance goes down by itself.
FEI president Ingmar De Vos, left, and his Thai counterpart Harald Link. Photo courtesy of Thailand Equestrian Federation
On a personal note, Link said his family has had a passion for horses for several generations. His grandfather from his mother's side was keen on the equestrian sport, so it was inevitable that he would follow suit.
"The riding camps I was sent to as a child taught me to appreciate horses," said Link. "It was here I was taught everything one needs to know about looking after a horse. To be able to do this one needs to be passionate. It is not just about riding but what goes behind maintaining this graceful creature."
Link's love for polo began when he was 43. "It was during the financial crisis Thailand was experiencing at the time, so it took my mind of all the problems I had [as a businessman]. I think it kept my sanity. When I am on the horse I feel good.
"[Winston] Churchill put it rightfully when he said there is something in the inside of a horse that improves the outside of the human."
Competing in the Polo League, comprised of Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, has always produced fond memories. Largely, he explains, because the 12-year-old tournament is played in a super competitive yet super friendly atmosphere. The Thai team has taken top accolades in the last four years.
"You can be highly competitive yet be friendly with your competition. The B.Grimm motto is to do business with compassion, and this is what we abide by when we organise tournaments. So while competing you give it your all and still remain on good terms whatever the results."