MARLBOROUGH-based Jonelle Price and Jock Paget were this week named in New Zealand’s four-strong eventing team for Rio.

They are joined by two-time individual gold medallist Sir Mark Todd, who will be appearing at his eighth Olympic Games, and Clarke Johnstone, who will be appearing at his first Games.

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

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

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

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

“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.”

Jonelle Price has to choose between Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo for Rio while Todd has the choice of Leonidas II and Campino and Tim Price has to select from Bango and Ringwood Sky Boy by July 16.

Jonelle, who was part of the New Zealand team that won bronze in 2012, and is pleased to have the options at her disposal.

“I was obviously confident but you still have those last minute nerves so it is nice to have the official nod and have the two horses named and hopefully a good month between now and then and we’ll be really happy,” she said.

“I’ll have them both ready. My preference is probably Fairie Dianimo at this stage and if that was the case then Classic Moet would go to Burghley and the preparation isn’t too dissimilar.”

Burbage-based Paget was also part of the team in London, alongside Todd, and believes both he and his horse, Clifton Lush, have the experience to be an asset to the team in Rio.

“You always like the confirmation,” he said. “It is easy to justify to yourself why you think you should be in the team and that you have done enough but it is not you that needs to feel like that, it is the selectors.

“I have had a good season with Clifton Lush, who is very experienced and consistent so I knew I had a good chance but we have got such a good team to choose from.

“There is a lot of depth so I didn’t know that I was going to be in the team but I knew I had a good chance.”