Three-time Olympic medalist banned from jumping because he wore a mankini

An Olympic medal-winning show jumper has been “removed from competition” after wearing a mankini while riding his horse.

Shane Rose, 50, donned three different outfits at the event at Wallaby Hill near Sydney, Australia, last weekend, where participants were encouraged to wear fancy dress.

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And Rose's most eye-catching look was the bright orange mankini he showcased.

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

But Equestrian Australia has since confirmed that “concerns have been raised” about his choice of outfit and that the organization now “has a duty to address these concerns and is currently reviewing the matter”.

Rose, who saw his hopes of qualifying for this year's Paris Olympics hampered by the case, initially turned to Facebook to address the controversy in a post that has since been deleted.

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

Rose won silver medals in the team events at the Beijing and Tokyo Olympics, while taking bronze in Rio.

A petition has been created at Change.org in an effort to lift Rose's ban – with the number of signatures quickly approaching 9,000.

And Rose remains confident the situation will be resolved.

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

“I wore a costume that you could see at an amusement park or on a beach. Possibly no one has ever done it.” [a] horse, but there you go.

“I think I'm a good person and I do a lot for the sport and for people in different situations. I don't feel like I've done anything particularly bad.

“In retrospect I should have reconsidered what I did, but at the time I just kind of enjoyed it.”

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

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

A statement from Equestrian Australia said Rose has not been suspended, but has been “retired from competition”.

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

“As is normal in these circumstances for all elite athletes, he has been withdrawn from competition for a number of days while the assessment is carried out.

“This will not affect his ability to train or otherwise participate in the sport. Equestrian Australia has also encouraged Shane to report on the events if he wishes.”