China's first foray into Olympic equestrian events came at the 2008 Beijing Games, when the host country was automatically allocated six berths: One each in eventing and dressage and four in show jumping.

Liu Lina, a 33-year-old dressage rider from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, performed well at an Olympic qualifier in Spain, and became the first Chinese equestrian to qualify for the Olympics.

Born into an ethnic Russian family in Urumqi, Liu has been riding since she was 14, after joining the regional equestrian team. She spent several years training in Denmark and Germany, two of the world's leading equestrian nations, and was placed 40th in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Hua Tian, 23, China's first Olympic eventer, is the country's best-known equestrian, having become the youngest eventer in Olympic history at the age of 18.

Born in the United Kingdom, Hua discovered riding at a club in the suburbs of Beijing at the age of 5.

As a star student at Eton College, one of Britain's most expensive private schools, he aced most of his subjects while also becoming more serious about riding.

At 15, he won the Queen's Plate at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, where he was awarded his prize by Queen Elizabeth II.

(China Daily 09/05/2012 page6)