When you think of Thailand, Polo and Equestrian Sports don’t readily come to mind, but they should. In 2005 the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club opened with an outstanding facility that has made Thailand an international
centre for equestrian & polo in Southeast Asia.
Set on more than 2,000 rai (or about 250 hectares) of picturesque grounds to the east of Pattaya and just a 90-minute drive from the capital, Bangkok, the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club is arguably the most unique facility of its kind in all of Asia.
Boasting three full-sized, international standard polo playing fields as well as two practice grounds, and stabling for more than 250 horses, the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club was initially called, simply, the Thai Polo Club. This
changed a few years after opening when equestrian facilities were added to the mix.
The brainchild of polo enthusiasts Harald Link (President of the Southeast Asian Equestrian Federation) and Mrs Nunthinee Tanner, considered the first female polo player in Thailand.
The number of enthusiasts have grown steadily since the clubs opening and they now have around 80 horses available for members and guests. The clubhouses were designed by Nunthinee Tanner, while the Chukka Bar is an exact replica of the famed polo bar in the Langham Hotel in London.
In 2007, renowned Australian designer Wayne Copping was given the task of establishing an international standard cross-country course which would be suitable as a venue for international events, such as the Southeast Asian Games.
An eventing course was designed by New Zealander John Nicholson, and this was used to host the inaugural Asia Eventing Championships.
With the addition of an endurance course and an international Derby facility, the club is now recognized as the largest multi-functional polo and equestrian operation in all Asia.
The veterinary and quarantine facilities are second-to-none in the region, with a leading Argentinian vet acting as general manager of the complex, overseeing Argentinian, French and British as well as local farriers, trainers, and stable staff.
Over the years the club has attracted many local and international players. The Thai Polo Open, sponsored jointly by BMW and the B. Grimm company takes place every January and attracts between six and eight teams. Other big tournaments include the Princess’s Cup Thai Polo Open every January and the Queen’s Cup Pink Polo tournament for the ladies. Every year in April the Thai Polo Club’s players decend on Hua Hin for the Princess Pa’s Asian Beach Polo Championship played on the beach in front of the InterContinental Hotel.
The noted American-based polo coach Rege Ludwig hosts a polo school at the club. His clinics cater to all skill levels and age groups. Rege Ludwig spends more than six months a year at the club, imparting his renowned knowledge to a new generation of polo enthusiasts.
In addition to its monthly tournaments, the Club is part of a unique polo league of Thai, Malaysian and Singaporean clubs, with each club taking turns to host a round-robin. Thailand’s polo season runs from November to April. Equestrian season runs almost all year round.
On October 15 to the 18th at the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club the the King’s Cup Thailand Championship 2015 took place. The Thailand Equestrian Federation together with the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club, Pattaya led by Mr. Harald Link and Mrs.Nunthinee Tanner hosted the prestigious event.
The annual crowd pleaser attracted more than 200 riders and 500 spectators. The 3-day competition inclued 6 disciplines; Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, Endurance, Reining and the newest discipline Barrel Racing.
The King’s Cup Winners included; Dhewin Manathanya for Show Jumping, Cunaporn Wattanasarn for Dresaage, Arinadtha Chavatanont for Eventing and Prutirat R. Serireongrith for Endurance.