Sponsor Kubota Swings In To Support Besieged Olympian

Equestrian sponsor Bowral Kubota has swung in to support Olympic eventer Shane Rose after he was stood down from competition due to wearing a Borat-inspired mankini during a charity showjumping event.

Rose, a three-time and medal wining Olympian, now faces disciplinary investigations as the revealing costume led to a complaint to the sport’s governing bodies, Equestrian Australia and Sports Integrity Australia (SIA). If the complaint against Shane is upheld, it could jeopardise his campaign and selection for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The incident which took place on February 11, has garnered global media attention and generated widespread support for Rose, a highly respected and beloved figure in the sports community worldwide. 

Shane Rose showjumping in his mankini.

This morning, Bowral Kubota, a major sponsor of the Wallaby Hill event where the mankini incident occurred, swiftly stepped in to back Rose and the event.

“As a key sponsor of the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza, we want to express our support for your amazing event and Shane Rose for his dedication to the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza. Next year at the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza, embracing Shane’s sense of humour, we will be donating a MANKINI to all spectators. Additionally, to support men’s health, we will contribute $100 for each spectator who displays a sense of humour and attempts to outdo Shane.”

“I hope all spectators rally behind this fantastic event and represent the #ROSEPOSE ‘MANKINI’ at next year’s Extravaganza,” stated Bowral Kubota Director Christopher Pennells in a Facebook post.

This gesture has received strong support from the equestrian community. Commenting on the announcement, Sarah Coote exclaimed, “This is a great show of support. Can’t love this enough.” Matthew Patterson added, “Everyone needs a Kubota now,” and Celia Gander praised the move as “Fantastic, what legends.”  “I so love this – almost as much as @shaneroseeventings sense of humour. When I’m looking for a tractor, it will be a Kubota,” Jill Karena said. “This is the best eve! So buying my next Kubota from Bowral Kubota,” Ali Foye wrote.

In an interview on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program today, Rose apologised for the “light-hearted” incident. Program co-host and former Olympian Matt Shirvington informed the show’s sizable audience that if officials prevented Shane from participating in the Olympics, they would initiate a campaign to support him.  “If you are banned from the Olympics, we’re going to start a campaign. Former Olympians, current Olympians are going to start wearing mankinis. We’ve got to take a stand here, Shane,” Shirvington said.