The clock is ticking down until the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, and Chinese-born British equestrian rider A. Hua Tian has been making every effort to train for what he calls “the most important event” he will be attending in the near future.
Many possible introductions to the 32-year-old rider and his equestrian career exist. The 18-year-old competed in the equestrian triathlon for China at the Beijing Olympics for the first time in 2008.
A. Hua Tian Equestrian Career In Olympics
A. Hua Tian is the youngest Olympian in the sport of equestrian triathlon and the first Chinese Olympic participant in this category.
A. Hua Tian, the son of a Chinese father and a British mother, attended Eton College before taking time off to train for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A. Hua Tian’s dedication to the preservation of ancient Chinese culture is evident in the Chinese names he chooses for each of his horses. His horse, Monkey King, is called after the well-known figure from the classic Journey to the West, and his name, Wu Song, comes from the renowned hero of the Chinese classic novel Water Margin.
With his eighth-place finish in the finals of the equestrian triathlon event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hua set a new record for the best Olympic performance by a Chinese equestrian.
Since his early days, Hua has been a leading advocate for equestrian sports in China.
A. Hua Tian, an expert in this field of competition, claims to have witnessed its explosive growth in China since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A. Hua Tian sees the growing number of professional Chinese riders as evidence that China is becoming more competitive on international platforms like the Olympics since the sport has become increasingly popular among Chinese children.
Hua thinks things are looking well for Chinese equestrians, but he’s still pushing for up-and-coming riders on the Chinese mainland to travel abroad for more “European experiences.”
A. Hua Tian noted that “China’s top riders have begun to recognise that what they need is to stay in Europe for a long time to train and live” if they want to compete in and even win at the Olympic Games.
The veteran rider also urged his Chinese compatriots to observe and absorb the expertise of elite riders at international competitions. To compete with the world’s greatest riders, he said, “you need more experience in global competition.”
A. Hua Tian has stated that he considers mentoring up-and-coming Chinese cyclists to be an integral part of his professional obligations.
He has been offering Rao Jiayi, an ambitious female dressage rider, with use of his British stable for training purposes.
Hua stated, “I have always backed her since she has potential and she loves riding.”
A. Hua Tian Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Once all 63 riders and horses have completed the dressage portion of the Tokyo Olympics eventing competition, China’s A. Hua Tian does not expect to maintain his current position as the event’s runner-up.
However, after having completed the work of over half the field on Friday, the mainland pioneer’s standing remained unchanged with 21 riders still to go on Saturday.
However, Thomas Heffernan Ho, who racked up 46.70 penalty points in his bout with Tayberry, said it was a dream come true to represent Hong Kong at the Olympics.