Alex Hua Tian (CHN) and Manjushri compete during the Eventing dressage competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games © Yusuke Nakanishi Photography

22.09.2026

Defending individual Asian Games champion Alex Hua Tian made a strong start to his title defence as Eventing got under way at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with the equestrian competition taking place in Tokyo (JPN), on Tuesday.

The Chinese Athlete and Manjushri lead after dressage on 26.9 penalties, giving them a 2.8-penalty advantage over Thailand’s Korntawat Samran and Billy Elmy on 29.7. Japan’s Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma D’Allou are third on 29.9.

Manjushri, Hua Tian’s ride in Tokyo, finished fourth at the FEI Asian Championships in Pattaya (THA) last year and, most recently, won the CCI3*-S at Alnwick in July on his dressage score.

“I've brought a very competitive horse,” said Hua Tian. “He's only nine years old, but he's already competing at four-star level and he's always been very reliable.

“I'm here to win an individual medal. Whether it's gold, silver or bronze depends on what happens, but I hope we do a good job.”

Host nation Japan placed all four of its combinations inside the top eight. Behind Tanaka in third, Ryo Murata and Brookpark Vikenti are fifth on 30.4, with Yoshiaki Oiwa and Ottawa des Desig in seventh on 31.3 and Kazuma Tomoto and Fer de Lance eighth on 31.6.

Japan leads the team standings on 91.6 penalties, 3.5 ahead of Thailand on 95.1, with Hong Kong, China third on 97.0. China, the defending Asian Games team champion, is fourth on 103.7. Following the withdrawal of Huadong Sun and Cadorico, China has only three combinations remaining and therefore no discard score.

The competition timetable has been reshaped after Typhoon Dujuan brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Tokyo region. By Tuesday morning, the conditions had changed dramatically, with bright sunshine and high temperatures at the Equestrian Park.

The jumping phase will follow dressage later on Tuesday, while cross-country has been moved to Wednesday to allow more time to prepare the rain-affected course. The change means cross-country will now be the final phase, reversing the order more commonly seen at major Eventing championships, where jumping concludes the competition.

The 3,640-metre course designed by Poland’s Marcin Konarski features 24 obstacles and 30 jumping efforts, with an optimum time of seven minutes.

“I think Marcin has done an excellent and very interesting job. The time and technicality are going to be influential, and I think the ground could be very influential,” said Hua Tian.

“All of those things coming together will put a lot of pressure on the Athletes, especially the ones who want to win. I think it's an open competition and it will be interesting and exciting all the way to the end.”

With just 3.5 penalties separating the top five after dressage, Alex Hua Tian’s 2.8-penalty lead is less than one jumping rail ahead of Tuesday’s second phase.

FULL RESULTS