Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari "Siri" Nariratana Vajiralongkorn from Thailand has increased her odds for 2018 Asian Games participation with a new acquisition, the 8-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Franchise, following her purchase of Grand Prix schoolmaster Lord Lichtenstein.
Princess Siri has been an active dressage rider on the Western European scene. After completing a formative training at the French National Equestrian Centre(ENE) in Saumur, Siri continues to train in France with Grand Prix rider Jean Philippe Siat.
At the end of 2017 Siri purchased schoolmaster Lord Lichtenstein, a 13-year old Dutch warmblood gelding by Lord Loxley x Gribaldi which Alexandra Stadelmayer has competed at international Grand Prix level.
In order to have a second iron in the fire, the Thai Princess has invested in a younger FEI level horse, the 8-year old Franchise (by Sergio Rossi x Olivi), as a second 2018 Asian Games hopeful. The black gelding spent the last year in training with Norwegian Grand Prix rider Anne Lene Holmen in Germany.
"Franchise is a beautiful, expressive horse who really catches the eye in the show ring," said German horse dealer Jochen Arl who brokered the sale of Franchise to Thailand. "The two make a wonderful combination and I wish them much success in the future."
The 31-year old Siri is a highly active sport athlete. She initially played badminton at top sport level and won team gold at the 2005 South East Asian Games and also competed at the 2006 Asian Games, before switching to dressage. She participated in her first intercontinental dressage championship in 2013 when she represented Thailand at the South East Asian Games in Myanmar.
Sirivannavari splits her time between France and Thailand, where she designs a high end fashion line.
Photos © Astrid Appels
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