Ashish Lamaye wins individual gold for India at the FEI Asian Championships. Photo: FEI / Yong Teck Lim
The Thai Polo & Equestrian Club stadium arena hosted the final test for the eventing discipline, the CCI3* show jumping, at the FEI Asian Championships 2025 Pattaya this past weekend. With the last five to go at less than a rail’s penalty apart and afternoon temperatures hitting 34°C (93°F), all present could feel the heat literally and figuratively.
Entering the arena in the penultimate position, Ashish Limaye (IND) and Willy Be Dun mastered the questions asked without fault, keeping their penalty point total at 29.4 and putting the pressure on the last to go, Thailand’s Korntawat Samran and B.Grimm Billy Elmy.
Lowering the height of one jump on course caused Samran to add four penalty points, and finish with a score of 32.8 for the bronze. Rising into the silver spot on the podium were Patrick Lam and Jockey Club Highdown March. Lam rode the track fault free and remained on a score of 30.1 penalty points, moving up from fourth to second overall.
The Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER) designed course asked riders to negotiate several related distances, as well as a double combination, a triple bar and a triple combination. Inviting but not easy, rails fell throughout the 14 effort track. Only four championship competitors finished without jumping or time faults.
Ashish Lamaye and Willy Be Dun. Photo: FEI / Yong Teck Lim
With the pressure on as he entered the arena, Limaye stayed focused on the ride. “I was only thinking about going clear, not winning a medal,” he admitted. “But after being clear, then, yes, I was hoping for gold.”
Winning India’s first gold at an Asian Championship, Limaye was knocking at the podium door in each phase, finishing third in dressage, then moving into second after cross country and ultimately finishing first after his fault free ride in show jumping.
The gold medalist was on his way to a medal position in 2023 when he missed a fence on cross country. “It feels like I’ve redeemed myself,” he admitted and then credited his horse. “He is one that gives you 100%. I can trust him. With the relationship we’ve developed over the last three years, I know I can count on him.”
Silver medalist Lam, who is also competing in the show jumping discipline at the Championships that started today, spoke highly of both the event organizers and his owners.
“A massive thank you to all the organizers. The facility is amazing. And to my owners, a big thanks to them. Let’s hope we come back in two years!”
Team Gold Goes to host country Thailand
Team Thailand wins gold! Photo: FEI / Yong Teck Lim
With a cumulative score of 117.6 penalties, Team Thailand secured gold on home turf. India came in a close second, winning silver with a total of 121.8, narrowly beating Hong Kong, China, who finished with 122.9, earning bronze.
Even with incurring a single rail, Samran’s performance with B. Grimm Billy Elmy was top notch. The twenty-eight year old’s overall achievement of team gold and an individual bronze is admirable.
“My horse was amazing today. He gave me his best in dressage and cross country and even today he jumped well. I missed one jump because I was a bit too open and that is why we had one down. I am very thankful to the owners and the groom and everyone behind us.”
Teammate Weerapat Pitakanonda, who finished with 37.3 penalties, praised his horse, Billy Grimm Carnival March, as well as his supporters and the team.
“I am so proud – the longer we are together the more we understand each other. Thank you for the support from the owner and also my family. Without them it would not be possible to have this medal. The atmosphere is great and I was very happy to compete at home. The team spirit is amazing, we know each other well.”
The FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2025 were hosted at B.Grimm Country Club, also known as Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya, with the support of B.Grimm.
FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2025 (Thailand): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]
