Hua Tian claims record Chinese finish at eventing worlds in Germany

AACHEN, Germany — Alex Hua Tian produced the best World Championship result by a Chinese rider with a 12th-place finish aboard Chicko at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen, Germany, on Sunday.

Hua and the 16-year-old gelding finished on 37.3 penalties, improving significantly over the three disciplines after sitting 37th following the opening dressage competition.

The pair scored 32.5 penalties in dressage before climbing 15 places in the cross-country phase, completing the course without jumping penalties and adding only 4.8 time penalties.

A clear show jumping round on Sunday lifted Hua another 10 places to 12th overall.

"I've had a big grin on my face since about 3:30 this afternoon. I'm so, so happy," Hua told Xinhua while traveling back to Britain.

Hua credited Chicko and the team behind the pair for the result.

"I'm really thankful to the Willis family who own Chicko, to the Chinese Equestrian Association, and most of all I'm just so thankful and proud of my horse," he said.

Hua said Chicko's competitive temperament had been crucial to their success.

"He just knows his job, loves the sport and loves to compete. He has so much heart," Hua said. "To fly the flag for China on this international stage always makes the team and I very proud."

The Aachen result continued a strong summer for Hua and Chicko, who recently won a four-star event at Aston-le-Walls in Britain.

Hua also won a three-star short-format event aboard Manjushri, the horse he plans to ride at this year's Asian Games.

The 36-year-old will head to the Games seeking to defend the individual and team titles he won at Hangzhou 2023.

"Winning individual and team gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in front of a home crowd felt like the right thing at the right time," Hua said. "I was under pressure to win gold there, so winning it was a huge relief."

Chicko will remain in Europe, with Hua instead planning to ride the younger Manjushri, owned by Yi Tianru. Cooley On Ice is his second choice.

"Manjushri is very exciting. His dressage is very strong, which is crucial at the Asian Games level," Hua said.

Manjushri is scheduled to enter quarantine in Aachen on Sept 4 before flying from Liege in Belgium to Tokyo on Sept 14.

"Flying a horse from Europe to Asia is a huge operation," Hua said. "Stable management and the horse's welfare and mental well-being are key. I hope to be as competitive as possible."

China is set to field a partly new eventing team at the Asian Games. Hua said Hangzhou teammate Sun Huadong will return alongside two younger riders.

"It's an exciting stage for Chinese equestrian sport," Hua said. "This will be a great opportunity for them to show their development and composure under pressure."

Beyond the Asian Games, Hua is targeting a fifth Olympic appearance at Los Angeles 2028.

He said individual qualification would become a key focus from 2027, while China would also assess its chances of securing a team place. Hua acknowledged that the team qualification route would be difficult, with Australia and New Zealand among China's regional rivals.

"But regardless, I will aim for individual qualification," he said.

Despite having competed at four World Championships/World Equestrian Games and four Olympic Games, Hua believes he can continue improving.

"I think my career is only just getting started, really," he said. "I now have a world-class team of horses and support network, allowing me to compete consistently at the highest level.

"I hope to continue progressing over the next few Olympic cycles."