Alex Hua Tian wins FEI Solidarity Award for the second time
2018-11-21
Alex Hua Tian, riding Don Geniro, competes in the equestrian eventing show jumping phase at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio 2016 at Olympic Equestrian Centre, on Aug 9, 2016. [Photo/IC]
Chinese Olympic rider Alex Hua Tian and Philip Wong were honored with the FEI Solidarity Award at the FEI Awards Gala 2018 on Tuesday evening in Bahrain.
This makes Hua the only person to have won the FEI annual award twice. In 2009, he was awarded the HSBC Rising Star Award of FEI.
"I am so excited about tonight's award for our Horsemanship Movement! Thank you to the FEI for recognizing the Horsemanship Team's vision and hard work," Hua said at the ceremony.
The Horsemanship Movement, co-founded by Hua and his friend Philip Wong, took the Solidarity Award, with five winners being selected from 20 nominees via a public vote and an exclusive panel of judges presented by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Family.
Hua and Wong founded Horsemanship Movement in 2017. This program gives children from all backgrounds the chance to get their first experience with horses in a two and a half hour one-off program focusing on the partnership, stable management and the values of horsemanship.
"I believe that the best way to learn is to enjoy the experience and then develop your own understanding with time and space. The Horsemanship Movement provides such an opportunity to all kids," Wong said "We've started our program in Shanghai but our ambition has always been to get this program to as many kids in China as possible," he added.
Alex Hua Tian delivers a speech at the International Horse Welfare Conference in London, on Nov 14, 2013. [Photo/IC]
Zhang Xiaoning, Chairman of the Chinese Equestrian Association, congratulated Hua in receiving the award. "We are grateful to the FEI for rewarding an equestrian charity project from China," Zhang said.
"We have a rich history of equestrian sportsmanship in China, and it is an integral part of our culture. It is our hope that Alex Hua Tian's 'Horsemanship Movement' will inspire more children to be interested and participate in equestrian athletics," he added.
Known as the "one in 1.3 billion" in the Chinese media in the lead-up the 2008 Olympic Games, 29-year-old Hua is China's first international eventing rider. He represented his country under tremendous press scrutiny and pressure.
"Our hope is that through demonstrating the values of horsemanship, we will change perceptions and help the wider community appreciate what is really at the heart of what we do: the partnership between horse and rider," Hua said.
Alex Hua Tian competes in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Aug 26, 2018. [Photo/VCG]
