Chinese Equestrian Team Sets Its Record at Asian Games

For Chinese equestrian sports, October 2, 2023 marked a momentous occasion. After over 40 years since equestrian sport was officially introduced at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, the Chinese equestrian team has finally achieved a breakthrough with gold medals. On October 2, the Chinese equestrian team, competing on their home turf at the Hangzhou Asian Games, clinched two gold medals in both the team and individual eventing competitions.

Chinese Equestrian Team, photo by Shan Jiaming

On that day, the final event of the Hangzhou Asian Games eventing competition, the showjumping phase, took place at the Tonglu Equestrian Center. The Chinese team, comprised of Alex Hua Tian, Bao Yingfeng, Sun Huadong and Liang Ruiji, finished the event with a total score of 86.80 penalty points, securing the team eventing championship. Alex Hua Tian, riding “Poseidons Admiral,” earned the individual eventing championship with a mere 27 penalty points.

Additionally, the Japanese team claimed the team runner-up position, while Team Thailand won the team third place. The individual runner-up title went to Thailand’s rider Korntawat Samran riding “Billy Elmy,” and the individual third place was secured by Japan’s rider Kazuhiro Yoshizawa with “Penny Grans.” Team China’s rider Sun Huadong, riding “Lady Chin V’t Moerven Z,” achieved fourth place in the individual rankings, and Bao Yingfeng, partnering with “Newmarket Ritz,” secured the fifth position.

Alex Hua Tian, photo by Shan Jiaming

Bao Yingfeng and “Newmarket Ritz” were the first duo to represent Team China in the eventing showjumping phase, delivering a flawless performance with zero penalty points and finishing with a total score of 30.20. Sun Huadong, who started in the 13^th position, rode alongside “Lady Chin V’t Moerven Z” and also achieved a faultless round with an overall score of 29.6. Alex Hua Tian, riding "Poseidons Admiral” and appearing as the final rider with a commanding lead, finished the event without any penalties, securing an overall score of 27 penalty points.