Alex Hua Tian will represent China in the 2018 Asian Games in just seven days, but due to a rigorous anti-doping process, he hasn't been able to train with his horse Spike as the two remain separated until testing is complete.

Hua will compete in the team and individual equestrian events this time in Jakarta, and he has chosen Spike, a horse that’s different from any other horse he owns.

“Normally, in the past, I have always had very long, tall horses that may find the dressage easier than the jumping phases. This time I really decided, when we went to find these horses, to find something that was different,” Hua told CGTN Sports Scene.

“Spike is small, he's neat, he's very quick, very careful in jumping and his dressage is good but it still needs to develop a little bit more. I think he's really suited to this championship because of the particular challenges we have to face like the hot weather, the traveling. Certainly, Spike seems to have recovered extraordinarily quickly from the traveling that they’ve had to do,” Hua said.

On August 16, Hua participated in the flag-raising ceremony of the Chinese delegation at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Riders and horses have always been tested in championships for anti-doping purposes. But this edition of the Asian Games has been very different for the Chinese athletes, as they have to go through a four-day process and be separated from their horses for eight days, just before the event starts. For equestrian, which is based on the partnership between a horse and a rider, the separation can affect their performance.

“I am very accustomed to being tested, but this time, I think the Chinese delegation wanted to be 100 percent certain. So we were all called back to Beijing for anti-doping, for testing, for education," Hua said, adding that the missed training time would inevitably affect the duo's performance during the competition. 

But when asked if the anti-doping measures are too strong, the 2014 Incheon Asian Games silver medalist gave a definite "no." Hua said that it is important that the public has confidence in the integrity of the sport; however "within that there is room for a little bit of forward thinking and understanding of the equestrian sports and understanding the importance of this partnership."

“I think there are hopefully ways that we can work together to find where we can maintain the strength of the anti-doping measures without separating the horse and rider," Hua said. "If we want the sport to continue to develop, this is something that’s very important.”

For the team event, Hua pegged Japan as the favorite. The 2020 Summer Olympics hosts have developed quickly, with consistent riders and top horses.

“They are all on very good horses and are very well prepared for the Asian Games," Hua said. Tokyo will host the Olympics in two years, making this year's Asian Games an important step in the country's preparation. "They have a lot of investment, a lot of management, a lot of focus on performance here in Jakarta and I think, for the rest of the Asian nations, we have a lot of catching up to do with them."

Performances this time might not go as well as expected, but the 28-year-old has a bigger vision than just winning medals, as he looks ahead to Tokyo 2020.

Hua said he will ride Spike during the 2018 Asian Games, but will use his other horses to give them more experience ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Leading up to 2020, Hua's focus will be on qualifying for the big event and building a connection with the horses before making a final decision on which one he will ride. 

"Next year of course, 2019, is the Olympic qualifying year. So for me it will be traveling around Europe and taking part in all of the Olympic qualifying events. Actually, next year is the busiest year before the Olympics. Then assuming I qualify, 2020 will just be about making sure these horses are best prepared for the Olympics and I make my selection.”