Teenager to become China's first ever Olympic rider

9:55am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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Little Cheverell's Alex Hua Tian has stunned the equestrian world by becoming the first Chinese rider to take part in the three day event competition at this summer's Beijing Olympics.

In China, where equestrianism is almost unknown, the 18-year-old has been labelled as one in 1.3 billion'.

Hua Tian's mother Sarah Noble said her son came into contact with horses from an early age.

She said: "He's been riding since he was four whilst he was in Beijing and then joined the Hong Kong Pony Club.

"I actually used to ride until I was eight months pregnant with Alex so he even had some contact with horses before he was born.

"He is being coached by Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks who are some of best riders in the world. They are fantastic."

Hua Tian has achieved cult status in China and is set to transform a fringe sport into a national obsession with his participation this summer.

Such is the interest in the Eton schoolboy that China's state broadcaster CCTV is predicting world record viewing figures for the three-day event competition.

Noble said: "He's received a huge amount of support in China.

"There has been so much interest and Alex is so busy getting ready that he's not doing any interviews.

"He's very young for a sport where the average age is about 35. He's inexperienced so is riding eight times a day. It's a hectic schedule."

After receiving five A grades at AS level he has taken a year out from his Eton education to concentrate on the Olympics.

The commitment has paid off as Hua Tian secured the host nation's sole three day eventing place.

Noble said: "China as host nation received one entry spot in the competition at the minimum qualifying mark.

"However Alex was able to reach the standard qualifying mark so would have made it anyway even without being from the host nation."