MARLBOROUGH-BASED rider Tim Price has received an 11th-hour call-up to the New Zealand team for the Olympic eventing, which gets under way in Rio tomorrow.

Price joins his wife Jonelle, Badgerstown-based Sir Mark Todd and Clarke Johnstone in the team after an unlucky stable accident that saw Clifton Lush, the mount of another Marlborough-based rider, Jock Paget, cut his cheek.

Clifton Lush cut his cheek on a pipe outside the stable that had somehow become exposed during the night. The cut required suturing with vets happy with his progress. However, it was decided that the horse should be given further time to heal to make a full recovery.

“Obviously it is very disappointing for me and Clifton Lush’s owners but we’ve decided this is best for the horse,” said Paget.

“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.”

Price, who had been selected as reserve, will start on Ringwood Sky Boy, who has had strong recent four-star form.

“I am really proud to make the team, but it’s disappointing that it comes off the back of the misfortune of my team-mate Jock and his connections,” he said.

He will trail-blaze for the team, followed by Todd aboard Leonidas II, Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation and Jonelle Price aboard Faerie Dianimo.

“This is a very strong team who we are confident will do us all proud,” said Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Dalziell-Clout.

All five horses passed the first inspection this morning.

The eventing competition gets underway with two days of dressage, starting tomorrow.