Rio 2016 Olympics - The New Zealand equestrian team is in second place in the eventing competition - though they have lost Tim Price and his horse Ringwood Sky Boy.
The four member team of Sir Mark Todd, Clarke Johnstone and Jonelle and Tim Price moved up from sixth place to overall after the cross-country phase of the three-day event.
Tim Price was eliminated after his horse Ringwood Sky Boy fell. Photo: AFP
Australia lead the competition as it goes into the show jumping final round.
Todd said New Zealand was sitting in "a nice position" going into the show jumping tomorrow, with first placed Australia ahead by only "a smidgen".
Tim Price was eliminated from the team and individual competitions after his horse fell.
"You walk the course so many times, you make so many plans and then you go out and fall over," he said.
"But that is the nature of the game.
"I had planned the long route from the beginning and upon the first turn it happened. I am so gutted."
Price said his horse was absolutely fine.
"It was a gracious fall. We were on a slope and slided. We were only eight minutes in this exercise. He is absolutely fine."
Todd said the course was the toughest since the 1984 LA Games when he won on Charisma.
"I had instructions for the team to stay safe and clear. Fence six had me worried but it was mostly a perfect round. The horse was brilliant all the way through."
"I was told to take one long route and briefly thought 'do I disregard the order?' But then I thought I should better behave myself."
"It was a three-star track in regards to dimensions but with a four-star technicality," said Todd.
"I had a super ride, then Clarke [Johnstone] came out and did a great job and by that stage we knew that the other teams were falling to pieces. Because we didn't have Tim's clear round to count on Jonelle [Price] had to go clear so she took a couple of other safer options but she did a great job as well."
An elated Johnstone said after his ride that he knew he would have to go flat out and his horse, Balmoral Sensation, did not disappoint.
"It's such an in-your-face course, but he was amazing. He's a brave horse, put a jump in front of him and he'll jump it," he said.
The New Zealand team can continue in the eventing competition with three riders - the minimum number allowed.
In the individual competition, Todd and Leonidas II are the best placed of the New Zealanders, sitting fourth overall.
Johnstone is seventh equal and Jonelle Price 13th.
Jonelle Price on Faerie Dianimo competes in the Eventing's Individual Cross Country. Photo: AFP
