Back in the saddle

Editor's note: With the Olympic stage set, and golden glory beckoning, Chinese athletes have been going all-out to ensure it will be a medal-laden campaign at Paris 2024.

The internet buzzword "Versailles "has been used online in recent years to describe extravagant displays of wealth, success or superiority.

By the end of this month, China's equestrian athletes will have hopefully given a new meaning to the term, as their events at the upcoming Olympics will be held at the Palace of Versailles, a grand royal residence in the suburbs of Paris. Built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV, the magnificent palace and former royal hunting lodge will provide a spectacular backdrop for the equestrian events, as Team China aims to make history, showcasing its skills and striving for Olympic success.

The Chinese Equestrian Association revealed the qualification list for the Games on July 1. The team comprises just two athletes, Alex Hua Tian and Sun Huadong, along with four horses.

Both Hua and Sun competed in the team eventing at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing ninth. At last year's Hangzhou Asian Games, they won the team eventing gold medal, with Hua also securing an individual gold. This was a historic win, marking China's first equestrian gold since the sport was included in the Asian Games in 1982.

Although the Chinese equestrian team has yet to stand on the Olympic podium, it has been one of the most rapidly improving groups within the Chinese Olympic delegation, consistently delivering impressive performances.

In 2008, Hua became the first Chinese athlete to compete in an Olympic equestrian event. Not only that, but at just 18 years old, he became the youngest eventing rider in Olympic history at the time. Unfortunately, he narrowly missed out on qualification for London in 2012, but, in Rio, he achieved an eighth-place finish in individual eventing, becoming the first Chinese athlete to reach the finals of an Olympic equestrian event. China continued to make history in Tokyo, debuting in team eventing.

Last year, however, China's equestrian team faced setbacks in its bid to qualify for Paris. In June, at the 2024 Olympic equestrian qualifiers in Millstreet, Ireland, the team, featuring Hua, Sun, Bao Yingfeng, and Liang Ruiji, secured a second-place finish after fierce competition, earning a coveted spot at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Then, in October, China's qualification for the Paris Olympics team eventing was revoked due to an adverse analytical finding for the controlled, but not banned, substance, Altrenogest (Regumate) in Chicko, the 13-year-old gelding partnered with Hua.

"Following an investigation and scientific evidence, it was proven to be a case of cross-contamination between Chicko and the mare in the competition stables next door that was permitted to compete on the substance," Hua's statement clarified at the time. "Yet, I understand the immense impact this has had on the entire team and the broader Chinese equestrian community."

The International Equestrian Federation confirmed that the incident only resulted in an administrative penalty for the rider, ensuring that Hua's individual Olympic eligibility remains intact, without any suspension or disqualification.

While the Chinese team won't compete as a group in Paris, Hua still has an opportunity to make history by reaching the podium for the first time.

Hua is set to embark on his fourth Olympic journey in Paris, and is set to compete in the eventing competition from July 27-29. The events include dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

Hua is brimming with confidence as he looks ahead to the Games.

"I'm eagerly anticipating the Paris Olympics," he remarked. "France boasts a deep equestrian heritage, and there's strong enthusiasm for eventing among spectators. The ambiance around the Palace of Versailles will be truly historic."

"As a Chinese athlete, representing my country in competition has always been a tremendous honor," he added. "From the Beijing Olympics in 2008 to the upcoming Paris Olympics, our goal has been to continually build and refine my team of horses."

Equestrian sports stand out in the Olympics for being the only discipline where athletes collaborate closely with animals, and it's also the sole event where men and women compete on an equal footing.

For Hua, the meticulous care and welfare of his horses are paramount, and knowing their condition precisely is pivotal to his performance on the Olympic stage.

In preparation for Paris, Hua has been competing across Europe since early 2023 with his four horses: Chocs, Chicko, Stig and Jessie. Chocs, Chicko, and Stig have already secured their spots for the Olympics by the International Equestrian Federation deadline, which falls on July 24.

"Each horse is treated as an individual athlete," Hua emphasized, underscoring his team's focused approach to ensure peak physical condition at the right moment.

"Regardless of the outcome, I am confident we will deliver an exciting performance this year," he said.

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn