Hua relishing Hangzhou homecoming

"I think five years makes a big difference. I'm more experienced. I have had more time to build my support structure around me. I think the quality of my horse powers has gone up a level," said Hua.

"As for competing in front of the home crowds, I'm quite good at managing my nerves. And my nerves make me a better rider. I will be very excited in Hangzhou.

"Look at our rivals at the Asian Games, Japan has a very strong team, with very strong horses. But like we've just shown a couple of weeks ago, it is possible to beat them — especially with the home support on home soil."

Hua made history at the Beijing Games in 2008 when he became China's first equestrian Olympian at the age of 18, and he remains the youngest eventer in Olympic history.

After missing out on London 2012, Hua bounced back to reach Rio 2016 where he finished eighth on board Don Geniro.

At the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Hua spearheaded the Chinese eventing team to a highly respectable ninth-place finish in its first ever appearance in the competition. In the individual competition, Hua was the only Chinese rider to reach the final in Tokyo, also on board Don Geniro.

Hua is currently working with four promising horses — Chocs, Stig, Chicko and a young mare named Jessie. On board Chocs, Hua claimed a gold medal at a level-4 event in Montelibretti, Italy in late February.

"Chocs already has his MERs (minimum eligibility requirements) for this year. He has a little bit more to do next year. Chicko has half of his MERs. And then I have Stig and young Jessie. There is a lot more work for our team to do with my horses as we head toward the Paris Olympic Games," Hua added.

For now, though, the focus is on Hangzhou, where Hua looks in great shape to do the nation proud once more.