TIM Price says that the Olympic Games are the main objective for him and his mount Wesko after bringing their season to a perfect end.

Marlborough-based Price completed a double clear to claim a third-place finish at the CCI four-star Pau Horse Trials, in France.

Just over a year ago the duo’s season ended in disappointment when, lying sixth after the dressage stage, they retired during the cross-country stage at the World Equestrian Games in Caen.

However, the duo have put that blip behind them and a second-place finish in Kentucky, followed by a fourth-place finish at the Nations Cup and the recent success in the Pyrenees ha re-assured the Kiwi of the talent his horse has.

“Wesko has shown consistency at top level now,” Price said. “It still feels like a bit of a journey back to consistent form following the World Games last year, but I think we have finally put everything to bed now.

“This is his second four-star event post WEG that he has gone around really well and another top-three finish is awesome.

“He is the ideal type of horse for an Olympic track and the timing is coming perfectly for him to have a good go at it.

“There has been one eye on that for a while and that is why there is a little bit of personal pressure on this last performance to do well so that we can continues making positive steps, instead of having to make up a bit of ground.

“Even with him as a 12-year-old he is still reaching his optimum strength and condition to be able to do the job as well as he can.”

Price and his gelding Wesko were in fifth place after the dressage stage, but with Michael Jung having to withdraw leading horse Halunke FBW, and young Brit Emily King having a rail down the Kiwi saw himself lifted into the top three on the final day.

“From start to finish it was a good weekend,” said Price.

“On the dressage all it came down to is needing to do a bit of work on the flat, but that is something we can work on and he has got more in him in that department.

“Based on his jumping prowess that is going to be key to his future success.

“He was super smooth around the cross-country and made it feel really easy. We’re just a really good partnership now with no hairy moments and it set him up nicely for the next day.

“It is a nice result for the end of the year so we can move positively into next year.”

Meanwhile, Wanborough-based New Zealander Sir Mark Todd dropped to 10th place with two fences down in the show jumping stage and Highworth-based Paul Tapner finished 17th on Indian Mill.

Price and his second ride Lord of the Owls were further down the order in 29th, while wife Jonelle and Faerie Dianimo were forced to retire.