Sports
15:23, 13-Sep-2018
Hua Tian spearheads China's challenge in rain-hit World Equestrian Games
Updated
14:37, 16-Sep-2018
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The eighth edition of World Equestrian Games kicked off at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, North Carolina, US on Wednesday.
More than 1,300 elite riders and horses in eight disciplines are expected at the competition.
China's Alex Hua Tian will compete in eventing, while Jia Hui-lin, Sui Bo, Cheng Zhao-yi and Wang Zhi-qiang will compete in the endurance event.
China's bronze medallist Alex Hua Tian celebrates during the awards ceremony for the eventing individual event at the equestrian competition at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 26, 2018. /VCG Photo
China's bronze medallist Alex Hua Tian celebrates during the awards ceremony for the eventing individual event at the equestrian competition at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 26, 2018. /VCG Photo
The WEG have existed since 1990 and are held every four years between the Summer Olympics. They feature elite competitions in eight equestrian disciplines including: jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.
However, the opening-day endurance event of the WEG was canceled by heat and humidity following heavy rain after organizers sent several riders off in the wrong direction.
The endurance race, the first event in the quadrennial equine sports festival that runs through September 23, was initially to take place over 160-kilometers.
But several riders were led the wrong way by stewards and volunteers, forcing the organizers to stop the race after 40-kilometers and plans were made to finish the competition over 120-kilometers.
China's Alex Hua Tian competes in the eventing team and individual cross country event at the equestrian competition at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 25, 2018. /VCG Photo
China's Alex Hua Tian competes in the eventing team and individual cross country event at the equestrian competition at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 25, 2018. /VCG Photo
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) said it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the misdirection of horses and riders.
The event could be hit by more heavy rain and winds from Hurricane Florence, which is scheduled to make landfall later this week on the coastal areas of the state.