Three weeks ago Kevin McNab was not even a travelling reserve for Australia's equestrian eventing team at the Olympics.
But he will return from the Games with a silver medal after joining serial medallists Andrew Hoy and Shane Rose on the Tokyo podium.
One man's misfortune is another's lucky break and Olympic debutant McNab made the most of his shock opportunity.
Sydney 2000 gold medallist Stuart Tinney's horse Leporis was deemed unfit to compete on the eve of the event and McNab was perfect when the showjumping heat was on.
"It's absolutely amazing," said McNab, 43, who along with his horse Don Quidam was only promoted to the team last Thursday.
"I was settled into the role I was in and really surprised to be on the team.
"I felt for Stuart and he left big shoes to fill.
"There was a bit of pressure to try and step up to do his job."
Australia had started the final day in second spot 17.90 points behind Great Britain and just 0.90 ahead of France.
The gap over France had been extended to 1.30 points before Australia's final ride, but veteran Hoy knew there was no margin for error.
The 62-year-old, competing at a record eighth Olympic Games, responded with a faultless round in 74.93 seconds - more than four seconds inside the time limit - on Vassily de Lassos.
Asked if his response under such severe pressure was a sign of his experience, the 62-year-old said: "Age, I think."
"The support team we have with the horses gave us the opportunity to focus on what we had to.
"It's given us the time to have discussions on what we needed to do, allowed us to work incredibly well as a team."
Hoy now has three golds and two silvers in an incredible Olympic career, which began at Los Angeles in 1984.
Rose had previously picked up silver and bronze in the team event, and knew better than most the emotions that Tinney had felt.
"I had to move out of the Olympic Village in 2012 when my horse went lame," Rose said.
"I've been in Stuart's situation and it feels like the world is coming down.
"But Stuart has been amazing supporting us. He's been a part of this team, although he's not with us up on stage."
Hoy then returned for another dazzling display aboard Vassily de Lassos to win the bronze medal in the individual eventing final at Tokyo.
He had improved his individual position from seventh to fourth following his clear round aboard Vassily de Lassos in the jumping team final to secure team silver alongside Kevin McNab and Shane Rose at Equestrian Park.
The 62-year-old moved up another place following another faultless performance in the individual final to finish on 29.60 points, claiming a sixth medal at his eighth Olympic Games.
Germany's Julia Krajewski claimed gold on 26.00 points, with Great Britain's Tom McEwen taking silver on 29.30.