The 50-year-old Australian, who hopes to represent his country at the Paris Games later this year, has apologised for any offence caused by his outfit choice at Wallaby Hill near Sydney last weekend.

Equestrian Australia is reviewing the matter after concerns were raised about Rose’s attire, but insisted he had not been suspended.

Riders were encouraged to wear fancy dress for the event.

Rose sported three outfits — a gorilla suit, a Duffman outfit from the Simpsons and the mankini, a skimpy swimwear item popularised by Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy character Borat.

“I took part in this fancy dress competition with the aim of providing light-hearted entertainment for those in attendance,” Rose wrote in a Facebook post, which was later deleted.

“If my costume/s offended anyone I am truly sorry as this was never my intention. I would like to apologise to anyone that I offended.”

Rose won team eventing silver at the 2008 and 2020 Olympics and bronze in 2016.

He said he hoped the incident would not affect his Olympic preparation, while expressing a desire for the situation to be resolved quickly.

“With a bit of luck this will all be a bit of a laugh in a few days and we can all move on,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.