Usman finished 19th among 31 riders in the dressage competition with 36.70 penalty points.

Pakistan’s premier eventer Usman Khan made his Asian Games debut in Japan on Tuesday, finishing 19th in dressage and 20th in showjumping.

Usman finished 19th among 31 riders in the dressage competition with 36.70 penalty points.

China’s Tian Hua topped the standings with 26.90 penalty points. Thailand’s Korntawat Samran finished second with 29.70 points, while Japan’s Toshiyuki Tanaka took third place with 29.90 points.

In showjumping, Usman finished 20th among 32 riders with 44.70 penalty points.

Tian Hua also led the showjumping standings with 26.90 points. Thailand’s Woraphat Sihiju was second with 30.10 points, followed by Japan’s Ryo Murata with 30.40 points.

The cross-country competition will be held on Wednesday, with Usman set to complete the eventing competition.

This is Usman’s first appearance at the Asian Games. He had qualified for the previous three editions but was unable to compete due to financial issues.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Usman said the dressage judges had scored them harshly before the pair dropped two rails in showjumping.

“It’s part of the game. We were scored hardly by the judges in dressage. Then dropped two rails,” Usman said.

He added that his horse, Mirage, appeared tired after travelling but still performed strongly in the jumping event.

“Mirage looked a bit tired because of travelling. But he jumped his heart out. Big scope jumps. Tomorrow we try cross country, InshaAllah,” he said.

Usman also explained that both rails were knocked down by the horse’s back feet rather than its front legs.

“Both rails came from the back feet of the horse and not the front. He tried,” he added.