Biography

British-based Chinese international rider Alex Hua Tin last competed at Badminton in 2010 – he completed with Magenta. Alex is based near Knutsford in Cheshire. With Badminton entry Harbour Pilot C he competed at the 2014 WEG and the pair has qualified for Rio.

Alex’s father is Chinese and his mother is British. He was born in London but first started riding at the Beijing Shijingshan Equestrian Club in the Peoples Republic of China and later in Hong Kong. He came to the UK aged 10 when his parents relocated. He was educated at Eton

In 2008 Alex, aged 18, Alex became the youngest rider ever and first Chinese rider to compete in the Olympic three-day event but did not complete. He has become the face of equestrian sport for China and in 2009 he won the FEI inaugural ‘rising star’ award and the following year was appointed Ambassador for the Asian Games when it was held in his home city of Guangzhou. In 2013 he became an international patron for World Horse Welfare.

In 2014 he won the silver medal at the Asian Games (Temujin) becoming the first Chinese equestrian to win a medal.

With his partner Sarah Higgins he runs Pinfold Stables. Alex trains with former British dressage team member Peter Storr and trains for showjumping with his long time mentor Tracey Newman.

Harbour Pilot C, owned by Miss Edwina Qu Ye and Mr Jainkui Qu is 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. He is by the showjumper Coolcurran Cool Diamond out of a mare by the thoroughbred Hallodri. He has a full brother Coolcurran Kinsale in America who has competed at three star with American rider Mara Depuy.

Harbour Pilot was formerly produced and ridden by British rider Joy Dawes with who he completed Burghley in 2013 and was acquired by his current owners at the end of that year to support Alex and enable him to compete at the 2014 WEG.