Rio 2016: Minal's Tim Price joins New Zealand's eventing team after injury to Jock Paget's horse
Tim and Jonelle Price - in their Olympic stripMinal based event rider Tim Price, in Rio with Ringwood Sky Boy as travelling reserve, has been drafted into the New Zealand team - it will be his first Olympic appearance.
Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Dalziell-Clout says they are an exciting and experienced combination and Ringwood Sky Boy - known at the yard as Oz - has good eventing form at the highest levels.
This last minute change in the team follows a freak injury to Marlborough based Jock Paget's horse Clifton Lush. The horse cut his cheek on a pipe that had come loose outside his stable.
The cut was healing well and Clifton Lush passed his trot up examination, but it was decided the horse needed more time to make a full recovery.
Tim Price checks the depth of the water on the Rio cross country courseA New Zealand website quoted Jock Paget: “Obviously it is very disappointing for me and Clifton Lush’s owners, but we’ve decided this is best for the horse."
"It’s been a real team effort from the Rio 2016 Veterinary Hospital and our own vet Christiana Ober – they have all given Lush exceptional care and attention.”
Tim now joins his wife Jonelle in the team along with Olympic veteran Sir mark Todd (based at Badgerstown) and Clarke Johnstone.
Tim Price will go out first for the New Zealand team. He will be followed by Sir Mark Todd on Leonidas II and Clarke Johnstone with Balmoral Sensation.
Jonelle Price and her feisty grey mare Faerie Dianimo will go last - a spot usually held for those with a good chance of an individual medal.