SWINDON-based Sir Mark Todd is set to appear at his eighth Olympic Games after he was named in New Zealand’s eventing team for Rio this morning.

The two-time individual gold medallist will be part of a four-strong team that includes Marlborough-based riders Jonelle Price and Jock Paget, while Clarke Johnstone will be appearing at his first Games as he makes up the quartet.

Meanwhile, Tim Price, husband to Jonelle, missed out on a place in the quartet after his number one horse Wesko was ruled out for the season earlier this year but he will still be going to Brazil as New Zealand’s reserve rider.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand Eventing high performance coach Erik Duvander said: “It’s been the toughest selection for as long as I have been part of the New Zealand team.

“You feel sorry for Tim (Price) because he has worked as hard as anyone else and has had the performances.

“The Prices are a very good couple and if one is down then the other is there to support and Tim is coming out to Rio with us as a travelling reserve.

“I couldn’t think of anyone better to have in that space because he needs to be ready to pounce if anything happens but he also needs to be fully supportive to the others.

“I think when we went into London we were thinking higher than bronze but on reflection, that was about the level we were at, at that time.

“I think the team has improved and the quality of the horses has continued to improve, so I think that everyone is pitching for higher.

“However, at the Olympic Games there are a lot of uncertainties and everyone has to get it right on the day for us to win a medal.”

Todd will have to choose between Leonidas II and Campino for the horse he takes with him to Rio, while Jonelle Price has to choose between Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo and Tim Price has to select from Bango and Ringwood Sky Boy, with a decision to be made by July 16.

l Cricklade-based showjumper Johnathan Bowman claimed a win in the Magnus Deo 1.25m Open Championship at Hickstead last Friday.

Bowman rode his own seasoned campaigner Marcel Des Rosiers, setting a blistering pace to jump clear with more than three seconds in hand over his closest rivals.