Shion Sassa's ultimate goal is to compete as an Olympic equestrian rider, hopefully as soon as the 2020 Tokyo Games. The 22-year old Waseda University student would make history if she's able to achieve that goal.
Of the three equestrian categories in the Olympic program, Japanese female riders have only competed in jumping and dressage. Thus it would be an unprecedented feat for a Japanese female if Sassa were to compete in her discipline of choice, eventing, on the Olympic stage.
"We don't have an ideal equestrian environment in this country," Sassa said, trying to explain why Japan has struggled in Olympic equestrian events during an exclusive interview with The Japan Times. "Equestrian requires large spaces for practices and competitions, which are difficult to find in Japan. Also, unless you have a riding club nearby, it's rare to have the chance to ride a horse.