Thailand equestrian team win gold at Asia games after a 28-year Asian Games push

On the final day of eventing at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, Thailand sits third, 12.6 penalties behind the home side. Typhoon Dujuan has already shuffled the schedule, pushing cross-country to the last phase at Tokyo Equestrian Park. Three riders then go clear around the 3,640-metre course, adding nothing to their score of 109.90, and the title is safe before Japan’s final horse even leaves the start box. The hosts settle for second on 115.20, with South Korea taking bronze on 143.50.

The winning four are Korntawat Samran on Billy Elmy, Supap Khaw-Ngam on Vinetto 3, Woraphat Sittiju on Uster de Chanay and Weerapat Pitakanonda on Carnival March. Woraphat adds individual silver on 30.10, behind China’s Alex Hua Tian, and the result gives the country its fifth gold in Japan.

Weerapat has ridden Carnival March for eight years, including at the Tokyo Olympics at the same venue, and he knows who deserves the credit. ‘I also have to thank the horses, the best part of the sport,’ he says.

Thailand’s previous win in the team event dates back to Bangkok in 1998. What follows is 28 years of building and waiting, with bronze in Jakarta and Hangzhou along the way. Getting back to the top of Asia says plenty about the persistence of the national federation, the riders, every horse and the grooms, vets and coaches behind the scenes.