Beijing, China, August 18, 2026: Hangzhou Asian Games champion Alex Hua Tian produced the best World Championship result by a Chinese rider with a 12th-place finish aboard Chicko at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen, Germany, on Sunday, August 16, Xinhua News reports.
Alex and the 16-year-old gelding finished on 37.3 penalties, improving significantly over the three disciplines after sitting 37th following the opening dressage competition.
The pair scored 32.5 penalties in dressage before climbing 15 places in the cross-country phase, completing the course without jumping penalties and adding only 4.8 time penalties.
A clear round in showjumping on Sunday lifted Alex another 10 places to 12th overall.
"I've had a big grin on my face since about 3:30 this afternoon. I'm so, so happy," Alex told Xinhua while traveling back to Britain.
Referring to Chicko, Hua added: "He just knows his job, loves the sport and loves to compete. He has so much heart.
"To fly the flag for China on this international stage always makes you and your team very proud."
The Aachen result continued a strong summer for Hua and Chicko, who recently won a four-star event at Aston-le-Walls in Britain.
Hua also won a three-star short-format event aboard Manjushri - the horse he plans to ride at this year's Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, although the equestrian competition will take place in Tokyo.
Alex, 36, will head to the Asian Games seeking to defend the individual and team titles he won in three-day eventing at Hangzhou 2022.
"Winning individual and team gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in front of a home crowd felt like the right thing at the right time. I was under pressure to win gold there, so winning it was a huge relief.
"Manjushri is very exciting. His dressage is very strong, which is crucial at the Asian Games level.”
Manjushri is scheduled to enter quarantine in Aachen on September 4 before flying from Liege, Belgium, to Tokyo on September 14.
"Flying a horse from Europe to Asia is a huge operation," Alex said. "Stable management and the horse's welfare and mental well-being are key. I hope to be as competitive as possible."
Beyond the Asian Games, Alex is targeting a fifth Olympic appearance at Los Angeles 2028.
(Xinhua)