Alex Hua Tian and ESB Irish Fiddle during the cross-country phase of Burghley Horse Trials 2010.
© Henry Bucklow/Lazy Photography
By Equestrian Life
China has never had an Olympic eventing team, but with the sport exploding in popularity over the past decade this could be all set to change as we approach the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
London-born Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian, familiar to many in eventing circles, is at the forefront of China’s Olympic tilt. Making his Olympic debut in 2008 at Beijing when he was just 18 years of age, Alex became the youngest eventer in Olympic history – thus became something of a household name in a country that previously had very limited knowledge of eventing. He has greatly influenced the popularity of equestrianism in China, and since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing the nation’s equestrian industry has grown to be the third largest leisure pursuit among the elite in China.
Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro in the CCI3* at Tattersalls.
© Tattersalls International Horse Trials
Besides helping to develop the sport of eventing in China, Alex has also further promoted the sport with friend Philip Wong. The pair have founded a charity, The Horsemanship Movement, which aims to improve the lives of migrant kids in China by helping them learn key skills through interaction with horses. In November 2018, the charity won the Solidarity Award from equestrianism’s world governing body the FEI; Alex previously won the FEI Rising Star Award in 2009. The Horsemanship Movement be officially launched in Shanghai on Jan 9.
Although born in London, Alex’s family lived in Beijing when he was young before moving to Hong Kong. He began riding at age four, however it wasn’t until he was 11 that he found himself back in England where he lives and competes today. In 2006 he renounced his British citizenship and joined Chinese nationality, paving the way for him to compete for China at the Beijing Olympics.
Alex Hua Tian and Harbour Pilot C at WEG 2014.
© EQ Life/Sporthorsesonpics
Following Beijing, Alex narrowly missed out on competing at the 2012 London Olympics before finishing a very credible eighth in Rio in 2016. Last year proved to be a big year: he won a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Indonesia with the relatively green 9-year-old Spike (adding to the silver he won at the previous Games in South Korea), and at the recent World Equestrian Games in Tryon he finished 45th of 84 aboard another inexperienced 9-year-old by the name of Boris. Although the pair did finish last in the dressage phase, they were strong on cross country and in the showjumping, and although the final result wasn’t as good as he hoped, Alex believes the horse gained invaluable experience at the event and will be better for it.
Looking ahead to Tokyo, Alex is hopeful. The 29-year-old has a team of four horses based in England and is focusing on keeping them all fit and sound in the lead up to qualification events. Previously, Alex has been the sole Chinese candidate for eventing at international level, however now there are a number of riders who are preparing for Tokyo in the hope they can form a team. Following the establishment of the China National Equestrian Team in 2012 and a rise in the sport’s popularity amongst China’s elite over the last decade, there’s no doubt the country has the potential to produce a quality team – if not in time for Tokyo, then for subsequent Games.
Alex Hua Tian in action.
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