HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana will lead the Thai equestrian team at the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana and her teammates. pawat Laopaisantaksin
The Thailand Equestrian Federation (TEF) yesterday unveiled the 11 athletes who will compete at the tournament, to be staged Sept 19-Oct 4.
The squad will compete in three disciplines: dressage, eventing and show jumping.
The other riders include TEF secretary-general Fuangvich Aniruth-Deva and sisters Siangso and Sailab Lertrattanachai.
The Princess, who made her international debut at last year's SEA Games, will ride Prince Charming and take part in dressage.
"I am well-prepared for the Asian Games,'' she said.
"I have trained hard since the end of the SEA Games with the aim of representing Thailand again at the Incheon Games.
"It will be tougher than the SEA Games and I will do my best.''
The rules of equestrian can be hard for the general public to understand but the Princess said viewers should tune in nonetheless.
"Those who do not understand the rules can watch my fashion style, be it clothes, face or hair,'' she said.
Princess Sirivannavari urged Thais to cheer their athletes in every sport.
Fuangvich, a former SEA Games gold medallist said riders' most formidable opponents when competing can sometimes be themselves.
"If you and your horse are ready, and you want to bring happiness to Thais, then nothing can stand in your way,'' he said.
Promthorn Kingwan, a silver medallist at the 2010 Asian Games, said all members of the Thai team were skilful and ready for the challenge.
Siengsaw, one of Thailand's brightest young stars, will compete in show jumping. It will be the first time in 16 years that Thailand will participate in show jumping at the quadrennial event.
The 18-year-old, who won a bronze at the 2013 SEA Games, said she aimed to reach the final 40 in the individual event.
Sailab, Siengsaw's older sister, admitted she wanted to win a medal but it would be very difficult for her to secure a podium finish.
At the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Thailand finished with 11 gold medals: four in sepak trakraw, three in sailing, two in taekwondo and one each in boxing and athletics.
This time, they want to win at least 11 titles to match the Guangzhou feat.
There will be 517 Thai athletes (243 men and 274 women) competing in 33 sports at the Incheon Games.
Thai Olympic chief Yutthasak Sasiprabha said the Thais should take home at least 11 gold medals.
However, some Thai officials believe their athletes are good enough to win more than that number.
They will be pinning their hopes on sepak takraw, taekwondo, boxing, weightlifting and sailing.