Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian was among the 63 eventers who survived a 6,000-meter taxing course of cross-country in Haras du Pin, North France, on Saturday as William Fox-Pitt of Britain led the rankings after two phrases at the Alltech World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

The 24-year-old Hua, who was born to a Chinese father and a British mother, and his stallion Harbour Pilot C stopped the clock on 12 minutes and 26 seconds, 1:54 over the 10:30 optimum, and ranks 44th temporarily before the third and last action of show jumping on Sunday.

"I was so happy that we finished and so proud of Harbour Pilot C since it's so horrible a course, from the start to the finish," said Hua, who has raised China's enthusiasm on horsemanship since the 2008 Olympic Games, especially eventing, a sport with minimal Chinese involvement.

"From the first step we took, I had just this one thought that I should go slowly as I can," he added.

"My horse was very very tired at the last two minutes," commented Hua on his and Pilot C's performance. "I just want to take my time and don't care anything about the time. I'm just happy to get round."

With 63 riders survived the cross-country, only 37 of them got clear round.

Considered an icon and a leader for China's equestrian team, Hua, once an Eton schoolboy before going to Imperial College, made the country's first Olympic appearance in eventing in Hong Kong before he fell from his horse during the cross-country competition.

Briton Fox-Pitt and the stallion Chilli Morning remain on top of the individual eventing, followed by Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo in the second place and fellow German Michael Jung an Fischerroncana. However, the top five were so close after dressage and cross country.

The course was design so tough that twice Olympic champion Mark Todd fell during Saturday's cross-country competition. Endi

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