Clarke Johnstone went clear in the showjumping phase on Balmoral Sensation to give New Zealand a chance at a first team eventing gold.
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It rested on his shoulders and that of his horse Leonidas II but unlike yesterday Sir Mark Todd couldn’t bring it home.
Germany lead on 122 points with France just 0.20 points behind in second.
New Zealand looks poised for a medal in equestrian’s three day teams event tomorrow.
Despite a attractive double clear ride from Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation, both Mark Todd (16 penalty points) and Jonelle Price (eight penalty points) failed to do enough to move themselves inside the top three.
Todd said the course was very challenging but he didn’t really have a moment’s worry.
New Zealand’s eventers had surged from sixth into second on Monday, 4.5 points behind Australia in the team standings after an outstanding cross-country performance.
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Double Olympic champion Todd is the best placed individual in 17th, ahead of Johnstone (23rd), Tim Price (29th=) and his wife Jonelle is 43rd.
