Alex Hua Tian, China’s Olympic event rider, was delighted to achieve his qualification for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Saumur last weekend.
Sadly Alex was not able to compete at the last World Championships in Kentucky 2010 due to budgeting issues, even though he and his horse, Magenta, were in excellent form winning his last warm-up competition, the Advanced at Aston-Le Walls. This time he has had the challenge of qualifying on a new mount, 14 year old Irish Sport Horse Harbour Pilot C, who he purchased from British rider Joy Dawes, one of the few amateur riders to compete at 4* level, only recently
"The first time I qualified was easier as I had built a two year relationship with my horses, Magenta and Jeans so I was able to qualify early. This time it has been a real challenge. We only found my horse Harbour Pilot C (Pye) in March. He has had a very successful career with Joy Dawes, who has done a marvellous job with him. We only had our first competition together 7 weeks ago at Belton. Two weeks later we went to our first qualifier at Burnham Market CIC***, where although we were still getting to know each other we achieved a qualifying result."
"However, I knew that the CCI*** in Saumur France would be a big challenge. The course designer, Pierre Michelet, who will be building the World Equestrian Games course, is well known for building big demanding courses. When I arrived in France, I found it was certainly up to maximum height and width cleverly using the terrain to test the horses. 50% of horse/rider combinations before me had one problem or another, so it was a major test for our new partnership. However, we went all the difficult routes and he was a super star."
"Unfortunately although he finished well, Pye kicked himself on the hind-leg while warming down, so was quite stiff and sore for the final showjumping on the third day. In the end we had 3 poles down, which was very worrying, as 5 poles would have negated our qualification. However, he really tried his best. I am so thrilled with him."
"During the qualification period and also because our relationship is so new, we have had to compete quite conservatively, to avoid making mistakes. Now that the pressure of qualification is over, we can work towards become more competitive."
"I would like to thank all my sponsors: Pure Feed, without whom Pye would not be in such amazing condition; Gieves and Hawkes who made my beautiful bespoke jackets, Prestige for the special saddle, fitted to Pye's unique shape; Equestrian Surfaces, who provide such consistent riding surfaces and reliable support and Catlin Insurance, for their unwavering support. Above all, I would like to thank Pye's owner, Edwina Qu Ye, for giving me the opportunity to ride this stunning horse. I am also preparing her young horse, Temujin, for the Asian Games with will take place 4 weeks after the World Equestrian Games in Korea."
