He started riding at the age of four while living in Beijing and later in Hong Kong.

In the country, it is said that boys typically prefer football, handball and badminton while girls generally prefer gymnastics, riding, handball and swimming.

In addition to the new BMX and marathon swimming events, women' s events have been added to the existing men' s events in both equestrian and fencing competitions.

His father, Hua Shan, said Alex was unique in a country where equestrianism is a minority sport.

Organizers of the Olympics moved the equestrian competition here because Beijing and other mainland Chinese cities could not guarantee disease-free zones for the horses.