China's riders have big fences to clear－in and out of the saddle－at pandemic-hit Olympics

Editor's Note: In the second installment of China Daily's Tokyo Olympics preview series, we take an in-depth look at the Chinese equestrian squad, including an exclusive interview with star rider Alex Hua Tian.

Despite facing sizable logistical difficulties during the pandemic－particularly in transporting their horses－China's elite equestrian riders remain confident of making major breakthroughs at the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics.

The Chinese Equestrian Association last month named an eight-strong team for Tokyo, led by eventing star Alex Hua Tian and show jumping veteran Li Zhenqiang. The remainder of the squad is comprised of young riders making their Olympic debuts.

"As many people know, this is the first time the Chinese equestrian eventing team has qualified for the Olympic Games. This is a huge achievement and a milestone for Chinese equestrian sports," British-based Hua told China Daily in an exclusive interview before flying to Tokyo.

"It's been a tremendous challenge for all of us, for myself, my teammates and also for the Chinese Equestrian Association. It's the first time that they are coordinating a team in the sport to go to the Olympic Games. In the past, it has just been supporting me as an individual. This time we have four riders and four horses."

In May 2019, Hua helped Team China qualify for the team eventing competition before booking his own individual ticket for Tokyo two months later. Hua became China's first equestrian Olympian at the 2008 Beijing Games at the age of 18, and remains the youngest eventer in Olympic history.

After missing out on London 2012, Hua bounced back to reach Rio 2016. Now at the pandemic-affected Tokyo Games, an even tougher challenge awaits for Hua and his eventing teammates, Bao Yingfeng, Sun Huadong and Liang Ruiji.

"It's very difficult to have any set expectations about what the Games will be like. It's gonna be a very different experience for athletes, spectators, and the global audience," Hua said.

"In terms of goals, we're in the final push, and so many things can go wrong at this stage. And there are so many different factors to the Games beyond the normal unknown factors. You have the COVID-19 pandemic, and how that's going to affect our training, our preparation and our competition once we get there, with all the measures in place.

"The long flight, the heat and humidity, all of these factors are considerable and bring about so many unknowns. So it's very difficult at this stage to have a defined goal. I just hope that the horses and the team arrive fit, healthy and happy. And all of us riders for the Chinese team feel like we've done our best and we'll leave nothing out there on the field of play.

"This is our first time as a team, as the Chinese eventing team, at the Olympic Games. We are inexperienced, but I really hope we can deliver a performance that people can be proud of and that we can build on in the future."

Quarantine conundrum

One of the biggest headaches for all Olympic riders is arriving safely in Tokyo and then completing quarantine, for both themselves and their horses. Hua's own quarantine itinerary illustrates just how complicated the process is.

"Before going the horses have to do seven-day pre-export quarantine. That's always been the rule even before the pandemic. The original plan was for the whole team to be quarantined together in the large quarantine base in Germany before traveling to the airport in Belgium and flying to the Games," Hua explained.

"But due to the coronavirus situation in Europe, I haven't been able to join my teammates in Germany to do that. So in the end we made the decision for me to quarantine with my two horses here at home at Pinfold Stables, while my teammates all have to quarantine together in Germany.

"Those decisions are quite often made with little information. Also knowing in two days' time, the whole landscape and the whole decision-making process might be turned on its head because the rules have changed again, either from the Olympic Games or a nation in Europe.

"It's been extremely challenging, and I have to say a huge thank-you to the Chinese Equestrian Association for their support, for their hard work and their diligence in making sure we got to this stage."

The CEA says it will provide the best possible protection to its riders for their Olympic trip, vowing last month that there will be no coronavirus infections in the process of "riders' travel, and horses' shipment and quarantine".

Family affair

At 53, Li Zhenqiang is the team's oldest rider. The veteran will compete in the show jumping event with his son, Li Yaofeng.

When it comes to competing, Li Yaofeng insists he and his father will "become rivals" in Tokyo. That's an attitude his dad wholeheartedly approves of.

"I will be happier if you can manage to beat me, because that means Chinese equestrian sport has a stronger next generation of riders," Li Zhenqiang told his son.

Despite competing in different disciplines, Hua has huge respect for Li Zhenqiang and hopes the younger riders can learn from both of them.

"Mr. Li and I represented China at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, which was a wonderful experience. Mr. Li is not only a great horseman, he has had many amazing experiences throughout his life. He's also an FEI award winner, and a very inspirational person," Hua told China Daily.

"Obviously we both have been at past Games, but for our teammates, this will be their first time at the Olympics. Many of these athletes have been to the Asian Games and National Games in the past, so they have some idea of what a championship atmosphere feels like and what the logistics are like. But the Olympics are like no other."

Keeping composed

Still, Hua reckons trying to approach the Games as calmly and methodically as possible will be key for the youngsters.

"I guess, for me I would say to them that the Olympics is just another competition. That's how you have to come into it. Obviously in your preparation, you leave no stone unturned. But once you are there, most of the hard work has been done," said Hua.

"So the most important thing is to maintain your composure, and not get yourself too hyped up about all of these things going on around the edges. You are at the Olympic Games but it is just a competition."

Those are words the youngest member of the team, 20-year-old Zhang You, intends to heed.

"Honestly speaking, I'm actually a little bit nervous. Due to the pandemic I didn't have too many competitions to participate in over the past year, and the training was not ideal," said Zhang You.

"The veterans in my team are more experienced than me and they have competed with a lot more horses than I have. They have ridden all kinds of horses throughout their careers. Different horses have different characters, and the veterans know how to handle them all.

"By competing in more events, I should attain more experience. And more experience brings more confidence."