VERSAILLES, France, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese equestrian athlete Alex Hua Tian expressed his hopes for achieving breakthroughs after the dressage phase of the Olympic eventing competition concluded at the Chateau de Versailles on Saturday.
"We have put ourselves in a good position after the dressage phase. We need to go fast and try to stay there," Hua Tian told Xinhua after securing third place with a penalty score of 22.00 in the individual standings following the dressage.
Hua praised his horse Chocs' performance, describing his partner as an "incredibly talented horse." He added that competing alongside the talented Chocs in the Olympics is a very special experience.
His fellow Chinese equestrian Sun Huadong ranked 36th with 33.60 penalty points.
Britain's Laura Collett secured the top spot with 17.50 penalty points riding London 52. Germany's Michael Jung placed him provisionally in second with his horse Chipmunk FRH with a penalty score of 17.80, while Australia's Christopher Burton tied with Hua in third place on 22.00.
The eventing competition consists of three phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The cross-country phase will take place on Sunday.
