| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 October 1991 Bangkok, Thailand |
Nina Ligon, Thai name Rujiraporn Lamsam Ligon (Thai: รุจิราภรณ์ ล่ำซำ ลีเกิ้น (ณีนา); born 8 October 1991) is a Thai-American equestrian, who competed for Thailand in the Individual eventing at the 2012 Summer Olympics.[1][2] She was the first female equestrian to represent an Asian country in the equestrian events at the Olympic Games.[3]
A dual US and Thai national, she is the youngest daughter of American businessman Austin Ligon and Samornmitr Lamsam (a daughter of Thai banker Kasem Lamsam).[4] After being part of the US junior eventing team, the Thailand Equestrian Association invited her to compete for Thailand.[5] At the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, she won the individual eventing event, and was part of the Thai team that won the team gold medal.[3] At the 2010 Asian Games, Ligon was part of the Thai team that won silver, finishing 4th individually.[5][6] In 2011, she was awarded the FEI Rising Star Award, which is given to equestrians aged 14-21 who demonstrate talent and determination.[5]
At the 2012 Olympic Games, she rode Butts Leon, who was previously ridden by Andres Dibowski at the 2008 Olympics.[3] The pair finished 41st out of 75.[3] Following the London Olympics, she began a degree at Stanford University.[3]
