British-based event rider Alex Hua Tian has won silver at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Held his nerve
There was less than one pole between the top four riders going into the final phase. The host nation’s Sang Wuk Song led from the off riding FRH Fantasia, Andreas Dibowski’s former European Championship ride, who won Pau in 2011.
Sang held his nerve and went clear in the showjumping to finish on his dressage score of 37.9pen and win gold.
Alex also jumped clear with Temujin and despite gaining three time penalties it was enough to secure his silver medal (41.10pen ).
Korea’s Sire Bang finished a very close third to take bronze (41.30pen).
Lovely character
Temujin was bought by Alex’s long-term owner, Edwina Qu Ye, as a five-year-old when he was a wildcard at Brightling Elite horse sales in 2011.
“Temujin is one of those horses who had to be brought on slowly,” said Alex, who is based in Cheshire. “He is lovely to ride and tries harder than any horse I have ridden. He is such a lovely character and is everyone’s favourite on the yard”.
South Korea also won the team event (133pen) ahead of Japan who took silver (142.50pen), while bronze went to Hong Kong (153.80pen).
Dressage domination
The host nation also dominated in the dressage. It was the country’s fifth consecutive gold in the team event, finishing on a final score of 71.746pen.
Japan took silver (69.842pen) ahead of Chinese Taipei in bronze medal position (67.386pen).
South Korea also won gold and silver in the Freestyle. Dongsson Kim scored 77.225 with his 13-year-old Hannoverian chestnut Finally to take the title.
Hwang, a double-gold medalist at the 2010 Asian Games in China, scored 76.575 onboard Fursteuberg to win silver. Bronze went to Indonesia’s Larasati Iris Rischka Gading, who posted a score of 74.075 riding Wallenstein.