Equestrian Shane Rose, who began riding at age five in Terrey Hills, has become the oldest member of Team Australia at 51, securing his spot in the Paris Olympics despite suffering 19 bone fractures in a horrific training accident just four months ago.
In March, Rose was schooling a young horse over jumps at his property in Werombi, southwest of Sydney. The 550kg horse clipped a hurdle, causing Rose to fall and the animal to land on top of him. He was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries, including fractures to his elbow, pelvis, ribs, and spine.
Road to Recovery
Despite the severity of his injuries, Rose never wavered in his determination to compete in Paris. Within days of the accident, he began working on a 100-day rehabilitation plan. After a month of being confined to bed and a wheelchair, Rose moved to Canberra to undergo treatment at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Rose expressed his unwavering positivity to the press, noting that he had only experienced two or three brief moments of doubt during his rehabilitation. He explained that these fleeting concerns about his recovery were quickly replaced by renewed determination, often by the very next day.
Controversial Costume Incident
Prior to this incident, Rose made headlines for a different reason when he rode a horse wearing only boots, a helmet, and a bright orange G-string at a fancy dress show-jumping event. This led to a brief investigation by Equestrian Australia, with Rose temporarily barred from competition.
He explained that his intention was simply to make people laugh. Ultimately, Rose was cleared of any wrongdoing, with Equestrian Australia finding he had not violated any rules. The incident sparked public support for Rose, with some riders posting pictures of themselves in mankinis in solidarity.
Return to Competition
In early June, just 85 days after his accident, Rose made a triumphant return to competition at the Melbourne international three-day event in Werribee. A month later, he was named to the Australian team for Paris.
Rose’s resilience has impressed medical professionals. He recounted his initial discussion with one of his surgeons, who estimated it would take 10 to 12 weeks before Rose could walk again. Rose admitted that upon hearing this prognosis, he briefly considered seeking a different doctor, highlighting his determination to recover more quickly.
Olympic Aspirations
With two silver medals and one bronze from three previous Olympic Games, Rose remains driven by the pursuit of gold. He acknowledged his competitive nature and his desire to be the best in the world. Rose expressed his hope that Paris would finally bring the elusive gold medal that has so far eluded him and the Australian equestrian team.
Published 14-July-2024
