Alex HuaTian poses for photos with his horse Don Geniro in Manchester, Britain, on July 26, 2016. [Photo by Wang Jingyuan/Provided to China Daily]

He moved together with his parents to Beijing at an early age, where he was briefly introduced to riding, then to Hong Kong. He went back to Britain in 2010 to continue schooling, and since then has received more systematic riding training.

HuaTian competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 at the age of 18. By doing so, he became the youngest competitor ever to compete at an Olympics, and was also China's first ever equestrian Olympian.

He missed out on a spot at the London Games in 2012.

He has had a successful Olympic qualification campaign in 2015, winning one qualifier and coming second in another.

HuaTian will compete in Rio from August 6-9, when dressage, jumping and eventing will be held.