This was published 5 months ago
Mankini-clad star could miss Paris Olympics after fracturing pelvis
By Billie Eder
Australian equestrian star Shane Rose’s chance of attending a fourth Olympic Games have again been thrown into doubt after the 50-year-old fractured his pelvis and broke his femur from a “nasty fall” on Friday.
Rose, who was thrust into the spotlight a month ago for wearing a mankini at an event in the Southern Highlands, underwent surgery on Friday morning to stabilise his femur and pelvis.
Shane Rose has competed for Australia at three Olympic Games.Credit: Melissa Adams
A statement released on his social media page on Friday said Rose was currently recovering in the intensive care unit.
“As the saying goes peacock one day, feather duster the next! After a fantastic week in New Zealand Shane and Virgil secured their Olympic qualifications, this week Shane was brought back down to earth literally,” it read.
“During a cross country schooling session yesterday [Thursday] Shane suffered a nasty fall. Thankfully his horse was not injured in the fall. Shane is currently in ICU with a badly broken femur and a fractured pelvis and ribs.
“He also suffered a heavy concussion. Shane had surgery this morning to stabilise the femur and pelvis.”
Rose was cleared for Olympic selection three weeks ago after he was stood down by Equestrian Australia (EA) after someone filed a complaint about him wearing a mankini at the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza.
Australian equestrian rider and Olympian Shane Rose in a fancy dress event at Wallaby Hill Extravaganza.Credit: Shane Rose/Instagram
Rose escaped sanction after EA found he did not breach the sport’s code of conduct.
“The Equestrian Australia Review Panel met on Monday and found that Mr Rose did not breach the code of conduct at Wallaby Hill on 11 February,” EA said in a statement following the incident.
“The panel took into account the community event that Mr Rose was competing at and that Mr Rose had already made a public apology.”
After the verdict was handed down, a relieved Rose told this masthead that he would focus on his Olympic preparations.
“It’s a great relief to get it to happen and prepare for Paris as best I can,” Rose said.
Rose set off for New Zealand last week, where he put himself in prime position for Olympic selection by winning the four-star event at the Oceania Eventing Championship.
Despite the latest setback, the statement posted on Friday afternoon said Rose, a three-time Olympic medallist, still had his sights set on Paris.
“Shane is in good hands with a great medical team and support network. While the timing is unfortunate, we are hopeful there is adequate time for him to recover and still be able to continue his preparation schedule for the Paris Olympic Games.”