Mark Todd's bid to compete in his seventh Olympic Games has been rocked after injury ruled his top horse out of contention.
The double Olympic gold medallist's mount NZB Land Vision, on which he won Badminton last year, was sidelined with the recurrence of an old tendon injury.
The horse will be stood down from training and competition on veterinary advice for at least three months.
Todd, 56, whose chance to repeat his 2011 Badminton win this weekend was ruined after heavy rain forced its cancellation, was disappointed to be without the 11-year-old.
"He proved himself at Badminton last year as one of the best four-star horses in the world and I thought if I got him to the Olympics fit and sound he would have had a good chance at winning a medal," said Todd.
He was now looking at the less experienced NZB Campino as his leading chance to make the New Zealand equestrian team for the London Games.
"All is far from lost," he said. "Campino is very good in all phases too ... he can also be a competitive (podium) prospect."
Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris said despite Land Vision's withdrawal, Todd remained likely to be picked for the Olympics.
"Mark remains eligible for selection for London and I fully expect to see him as part of the Kiwi team in July," she said.
NZN