Olympic equestrian Hua Tian: Representing China defines me

BEIJING - Chinese eventing rider Alex Hua Tian is set to compete on home soil for only the second time, 15 years after his Olympic debut at Beijing 2008 in the Hong Kong SAR.

The delayed Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games are scheduled for Sept 23 through Oct 8 in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province. Hua Tian described these games as "incredibly important" during a recent interview with Xinhua.

In 2008, then 18-year-old Hua Tian, born to a Chinese father and a British mother, made history as China's first Olympic athlete in equestrian sport and the youngest Olympian eventer worldwide.

"When I initially decided to ride and compete professionally, I resolved to represent China on the international circuit," the 33-year-old reflected.

"However, this meant that I've had limited opportunities to return to China with any of my horses and compete on home soil in front of friends, family, and fans.

"It's challenging to maintain two teams of horses, one in China and another in Europe," added Hua Tian, who keeps his horses in a stable on the outskirts of Manchester.

"The Hangzhou Asian Games provides this rare opportunity, and I cannot overstate its significance to me."

The star equestrian introduced his new slogan, "Rider in Red," at a press conference held in Beijing on June 14, ahead of the 100-day countdown to the 19th Asian Games.

Explaining his slogan, Hua Tian said it symbolizes the profound connection between horse and rider, which lies at the heart of horsemanship, and embodies his steadfast dedication to representing China.

"Representing China on the global stage defines me. Whether that's the appropriate thing to say or not, it describes me," he stated.

Hua Tian, along with teammates Sun Huadong, Bao Yingfeng, and Liang Ruiji, secured China's Olympic berth for Paris 2024 by finishing second at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup in Millstreet, Ireland on June 4.

Reflecting on that achievement, Hua Tian said they were elated since China, as newcomers to the sport, had only a theoretical chance before the competition began.

"At the qualification competition in Ireland at Millstreet, we, the Chinese eventing team, were somewhat underdogs. Not too far off the pace, but Australia and Japan, with their extensive experience in the sport and superior horsepower, were the favorites."

When the Japanese rider had his fence down, Hua Tian said, "We all stood there... I think our jaws hit the floor. We just couldn't believe it."

He considered this qualification "even more important" than the one for the Tokyo Olympics when China qualified for an Olympic Games as a team for the first time.

"China had never qualified as a team before (Tokyo 2020) in the sport, and that qualification was historic and thrilling," he said. "But examining it closely, the door was open for us."

"This year, however, it was a completely different scenario. We had two very competitive teams, and we had to beat one of them to secure our place.

"We managed it, which for me is a confirmation that China is starting to take our place at the Olympic level of equestrian sports, which is really exciting."

He also lauded his teammates, stating he's "really proud of them."

"We are still quite far behind the top nations in terms of experience and depth, but as riders, I believe we have reached a crucial level of maturity," commented Hua Tian, who competed twice at the Asian Games as part of a team.

Speaking about the Asiad in three months, Hua Tian said he visited the "extraordinary" Tonglu Equestrian Park in 2021 and eagerly anticipates his team's performance at the Games.

"The goal remains the same as always. It's to perform as well as my horse and I possibly can on that day."

Having played a key role in developing the sport in the country, Hua Tian is passionate about China becoming a global player in equestrian sports in the future, "not just at a high level, at the Olympics or Asian Games, but as a global influence on how this industry evolves."

"I'm a firm believer in the sport. I'm a firm believer in China. And I'm a firm believer in this sport in China," he declared.