Three-time Olympic medallist banned from showjumping after wearing mankini on a horse but says ‘it was just bit of fun’

AN Olympic medallist showjumper has been “stood down from competition” after wearing a mankini while riding his horse.

Shane Rose, 50, pulled on three different outfits at an event in Wallaby Hill near Sydney, Australia last weekend where competitors were encouraged to wear fancy dress.

Shane Rose wore this bright orange mankini while show jumping in AustraliaInstagram @shane.rose.eventing

He also pulled on a gorilla costume with the mankini over the topInstagram @shane.rose.eventing

A Simpsons-inspired Duffman beer outfit was another worn by RoseInstagram @shane.rose.eventing

And the most eye-catching of Rose’s looks was the bright orange mankini he displayed.

He also wore a gorilla costume and a Simpsons-themed Duffman beer outfit.

But Equestrian Australia have since confirmed that “concerns were raised” about his choice of outfit and that the organisation now “has an obligation to address these concerns and is currently reviewing the matter”.

Rose, who could see his hopes of qualifying for this year’s Paris Olympics hampered by the matter, initially took to Facebook to address the controversy in a post that has since been deleted.

He said: “If my costume offended anyone, I am truly sorry as this was never my intention.”

Rose won silver medals in the team eventing at the Olympic Games’ in Beijing and Tokyo – while he picked up bronze in Rio.

A petition has been created on Change.org in an attempt to have Rose’s ban lifted – with the number of signatures fast-approaching 9,000.

And Rose remains positive the situation will be resolved.

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Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, he said: “With a bit of luck this will all be a bit of a laugh in a few days and we can all move on.

“I wore a costume which you could see at a theme park or a beach. Potentially no-one has done it on [a] horse, but there you go.

“I think I am a good person and I do a lot for the sport, and for people in different situations. I don’t feel like I have done anything particularly bad.

“In hindsight, I should have re-thought what I did, but at the time I thought it was just a bit of fun.”

Equestrian Australia chief executive Darren Gocher, who confirmed a complaint had been made about the Olympian’s choice of clothing, said: “Whether it is one [complaint] or 1,000, we have an obligation to review it.”

Gocher was also quick to stress that children were present at the event.

A statement from Equestrian Australia insisted Rose has not been suspended but that he has been “stood down from competition”.

They said: “To be clear, Shane has not been suspended or sanctioned.

“As is usual in these circumstances for all high performance athletes, he has been stood down from competition for several days while the review is carried out.

“This does not affect his ability to train or otherwise participate in the sport. Equestrian Australia has also encouraged Shane to provide an account of the events if he wishes to do so.”