Alex Hua Tian from China rides Chico during the equestrian eventing dressage competition at the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 in Hong Kong August 9, 2008.[Agencies]

HONG KONG-- Chinese rider Hua Tian, who saddled with hopes of the host nation at Beijing Olympic Games, said here that he was disappointed with himself after falling from his horse Monday, adding that his horse Chico's performance was "perfect".

Both Hua and his horse were not injured in the accident that occurred when he tried to clear hurdles during the the cross-country phase of the Olympic eventing at the Beas River equestrian arena.

"I am so disappointed with myself. It was completely my fault. I completely missed the stride, the horse was perfect. I completely messed it up", the 18-year-old talent boy told reporters.

Hua said that he did not believe it had all ended with a fall. For his party, Hua's Australian coach Clayton Fredericks said, "You can't take anything away from him. He's going to be a real star in the future. He qualified four horses which I think most riders here haven't had a chance to do."

According to the new rules, Hua was disqualified after falling.

In a related development, American Amy Tryon and New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson also fell from their horses and were disqualified.

On Monday, 69 riders participated in the cross-country competition while eight riders were eliminated and one withdrew from the competition.

In an early dressage competition, Hua ranked 31st with 49.60 penalty points. After the dressage section of the Eventing competition, he was asked to comment on his horse's performance.

"I had a tough job keeping him going. He wasn't keen on the (video)screen. He keeps choosing new things. He was very nervous and inexperienced. He hasn't competed in front of such a big crowd before," said Hua.

For the first time, China has fielded riders for the Olympic Equestrian Events here on August 9.

The six riders representing China come from five provinces and autonomous regions, namely Xinjiang, Guangdong, Tibet, Shanghai and Jiangsu.

Among them, Hua Tian, an 18-year-old from Guangdong, has received the most media attention. With Chinese heritage from his father and a horsy background from his British mother, the Eton College student gained his berth of the Olympics at an eventing competition held in Poland at the end of April.

He was the first Chinese rider registered by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to compete in three-day eventing at an international equestrian event, which includes dressage, jumping and cross-country competitions.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced new rules on June 6, saying that any rider falling at a jump in the cross-country or show jumping phases will be eliminated.

The rule was enforced at all FEI events from August 1, including the 2008 Olympic.

FEI spokesman Malina Gueorguiev said earlier that the adoption of the rules is aimed at protecting riders from injury.

"It is purely to do with medical safety", said the spokesman.

"You may have concussion and, if you carry on to the next jump, you could have a serious accident."
At the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, 2006, South Korean rider Kim Hyung Chil, 47, was killed after his horse Bundaberg Black was caught on an obstacle in wet and difficult conditions and fell onto him during the cross-country event.