Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
When Shane Rose cantered down centerline for his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris last week, he had already overcome incredible odds to even be in contention for his spot representing Australia.
Shane epitomizes the term “grit”, coming back from multiple egregious injuries that would have rendered many other careers obsolete. Before 2024, Shane had come back from a bout with thyroid cancer and multiple broken bones, including those sustained from a kick to the face from an unruly young racehorse in 2006 that left him in a medically induced coma for a week.
After winning the Adelaide CCI5* with his longtime partner, Virgil, in 2023, all systems were go for Shane to make another trip to the Olympics. The pair won their first CCI4*-S at Hastings together on March 7.
A few days later, disaster struck.
Shane was out for a routine cross country school on March 14 when his horse hung a leg, sending him to the ground with the horse landing on top of him (the horse was uninjured in the accident). He was rushed to the ICU with a severe concussion, a broken pelvis, femur, and ribs — in total, 19 fractured bones. During one subsequent surgery, a steel rod was placed to stabilize his broken femur.
At this point, the Olympic Games were just over four months away, and in that moment the biggest concern became Shane’s physical recovery first, riding second. But the Olympic dream stayed in his mind. Thus begun a determined journey of recovery, assisted by a team of doctors and physios, as well as Shane’s family and colleagues on the yard who kept his horses, including Virgil, ticking away.
Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
By the end of April, Shane was walking with assistance. In June, Shane returned to riding. On July 3, Australia announced its team traveling to Paris. Shane and Virgil were on the list.
Once he was back in the saddle, Shane was of one mind: the job he had to do in Paris. “I’m not thinking of the journey I’ve been on,” he told us after his dressage test in Paris. “I’m here to produce a performance here the Games. The fact that I was injured is irrelevant now. I’m here to do a job. My job is to do the best job I can for the team. I feel like I’m in a good position to do that. I feel as strong as I need to be. Stronger than I’ve probably been. I have done a lot of rehab.”
Australia wouldn’t quite catch a medal in Paris, though Chris Burton made a successful, if temporary, return to eventing to clinch individual silver with Shadow Man. Shane and Virgil finished in 20th individually with some time in both jumping phases as well as one pole down in the team final of show jumping.
If you ask Shane, he feels the most pride in his horse rather than himself. Virgil, who is 19 this year, is likely doing his last Championship or major event for Shane. It’s been an illustrious career, with a team silver medal earned in Tokyo, two World Championship appearances, four CCI5* podiums with one victory to their names.
Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
“I’m really proud of my horse,” Shane reflected after his final show jump round in Paris. “He’s done an amazing job. 19 years old, not too bad. He’s an amazing horse. He’s done a lot. This is his sixth occasion in Europe and back to Australia. So for the miles that he’s done and the soundness that he’s had throughout his whole career.”
How does one maintain soundness at the top levels over a career that spans over 13 years?
Shane noted that Virgil has dealt with some small bouts of tendonitis but has otherwise never missed work throughout his career. “We’ve looked after him. I think that’s probably why he hasn’t missed any work in his whole career. He’s stayed in work pretty much. He’d have a couple of weeks off at the most. The longest spell he’s had since he’s been a five year old is quarantine, which is about four or five weeks, getting back to Australia.”
Prioritizing championships also means less wear and tear and more intentional selection of competitions. “We’ve prepared for championships. He’s come over to Europe and done five-stars like Pau and Burghley and Luhmühlen trying to get to championships, but I haven’t needed to try and back him up at multiple three-day events throughout his career in a year. And I think that’s probably helped. He’s a beautiful type of horse, he’s put together well, he’s got good feet. I think he’s always done things within himself. So I think that’s helped his career, but you know, there’s not many horses that can be a four-star horse for 13 years.”
Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
As for his own journey to Paris, Shane’s quick to wave off any praise or admiration. For him, it’s always been about the horse. “I felt like every day I’ve improved incredibly, even since arriving here,” he said. “I think I’ve improved in the week I’ve been here. Now look, I’m 100 percent. I’ve had a lot of people supporting me to get here. I certainly couldn’t have done it without all their help. If you want to do something, there’s a way to do it.”
Shane Rose and Virgil. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
We may yet see Shane returning to another Games, as he’s got some younger horses in the pipeline and hasn’t ruled out a campaign for Los Angeles in 2028 or Brisbane in 2032. “I have been thinking about Los Angeles and Brisbane for a long time,” he said. “I’ve got horses that are young enough to be in Brisbane, if I’m still riding in four years. So I don’t know. Like I haven’t got a plan. I like riding and whilst I’m competitive and have the horses to do it, then I can’t see myself stopping. I don’t have an end date.”
Shane summed himself up succinctly, after displaying visible emotion when asked about Virgil and what it meant to get him to this final Olympics for his veteran partner: “I guess I’m pretty determined.”
