Merran Hain’s equestrian career untouchable

Gisborne rider Merran Hain is celebrated as a true legend in the equestrian world. Diana Dobson takes a look at some of the secrets of Merran’s success . . .

There’s a name that has been a constant in the world of equestrian for more than six decades as a rider, supporter, official, volunteer and more. She’s accomplished more than most even dream of and while she’s the fiercest competitor in the ring, she’s appreciative of every single win — no matter how big or small.

Merran Hain is a Gisborne horsewoman, cattle breeder and farmer . . . she’s also a history-maker.

She’s never ready to give up what she loves so much, but she does concede there comes a time to take half a step back. It has been a career well spent. Merran is the only rider to have represented New Zealand at senior level across the three Olympic disciplines of showjumping, eventing and dressage, and her name is etched on every major trophy in the country with plenty of successes on both sides of the Tasman.

Her accolades have come in waves . . . big waves. From the Queen’s Service Medal for community service she was awarded in 2003, to her induction into the Horse of the Year Show Hall of Fame in 2010, a life membership of Equestrian Sports New Zealand, and having been awarded the Pilmer Plate in 2017 in recognition of a lifetime of volunteer work within equestrian. Her tenacity, drive and passion for equestrian is unmatched and evidenced by her rich legacy of contribution at every level in and out of the arena.

She’s ridden at top level on the national show circuit for nigh on 70 years and is believed to have ridden more horses in more competitions than any other rider.

In short, she is celebrated as a true legend in equestrian.

She’s now handed the reins of her exceedingly well-performed horse Untouchable on to another rider, but don’t mention the word retirement . . . ever!

Over the years she has been incredibly generous with her time, knowledge and support of so many in equestrian but there’s never any sugar-coating from this Manutuke granny of eight.

She remembers well her first Poverty Bay A&P Show when she finished second to Peggy Milligan in the girl rider under nine. Both girls were on horses and Merran’s little legs barely stretched below the saddle flaps. She’d ridden all the way from Manutuke to the show on her own . . . as she did for all sports days, gymkhanas, Pony Club and shows.

Merran remembers fondly so many fantastic fellow riders and coaches from what was arguably the heyday of jumping. “Things are quite different these days,” she says.

She attended Turanganui Pony Club — one of many across the Gisborne region, which now falls under the umbrella of Hawke’s Bay. “We had some great instructors,” says Merran as she rattles off the likes of Bridget Burke, Phil Matthews, Warrick Spence, Dot Dodgshun and Val Bruce, among others.

Those were the days of the rather special Ruatoria Show, which had a flavour all of its own but was hugely popular with many.

At the age of 24, Merran headed across to Australia where she spent a year with Karl Jurenak, where she rode every day on a different horse under the watchful eye of the former Hungarian military man.

To make ends meet, she shot guinea fowl and sold them to the local butcher so she could supplement the vegetables she grew.

She figures basing with Karl laid the foundation for her success. “I rode there every day on all sorts of horses,” she says.

“That really did make the difference. So much is about flat work. It really is critical.”

Merran casts a critical eye on all sorts of classes both here and offshore and says all too often that flat training is clearly missing. “You look at the best coaches in the world, like Ludger Beerbaum and all he has produced. He and other top trainers are right into flat training and you can see the difference.”

Back in the day, Merran was part of a push to bring the likes of George Sanna, Thomas Fuchs and Jen Hamilton, who trained national squad riders and others who were interested in learning from the best.

“We just don’t have that depth now and most riders haven’t done a solid lot of training with a top trainer for a while.”

Merran’s first big win came in 1968 when she was a surprise winner of the Lady Rider of the Year crown, heading home a hugely competitive field to take the much coveted title. It was a decade when the region was home to many top riders, including the likes of 1964 Olympians Graeme and Bruce Hansen and Charlie Matthews, as well as Stuart Mitchell, Pete Sherriff and others.

That was followed by many top victories including the Olympic Cup as Showjumper of the year twice, four times the Lady Rider of the Year, the Norwood Gold Cup, supreme champion hack of the year five times, the Rutherford Cup as national showjumping champ, twice the Burkner Medal for the New Zealand dressage championship, national eventing titles and so many more. No one will ever be able to repeat her achievements.

At the Horse of the Year Show she was the first to win three championships at a single show and was believed to be the oldest when she secured her second Olympic Cup in 2003 — both top gongs were won aboard Tregonning.

She has had a slew of very successful horses too, but asking her to pick a favourite is akin to naming your favourite child. From those she rode — Justice, Chief, Tregonning, Trooper, Momento, Smiley John, on some of whom she represented New Zealand —through to those she loaned to others to star on, including Sir Mark Todd who rode her Bago into the final round of the Seoul Olympic Games with Merran there as groom. “I was happy to be there as groom. You go there and you realise just how good they are,” she says. Bago also won the Olympic Cup as Showjumper of the Year, with multi Olympian Bruce Goodin.

Merran is quick to credit her handful of grooms who do so much in the background, including Kelly Bibby, Mel Cooper, Daniella Steed, Leonie Belk, Wendy Lofler and Amy Spence.

So, what is the secret to her success?

“Don’t muck around with horses that aren’t up to it. I have probably had a few that I have sold because I didn’t think they would get to the top.”

However, it’s not easy to make that call. “Unless people have sat on a good horse and know the feeling, they are happy with what they have got and just keep plodding on.”

She has allowed many aspiring riders to ride her horses both in training and competitively.Merran encourages people not to buy a ready-made horse, but rather start with a young one and take it up through the grades.

She encourages anyone keen to go far with their riding to get out of their comfort zone and train with the best they can.

For Merran, the best part about the sport isn’t the accolades and the winning, but the people. “The friends you make,” she says, remembering the likes of Maurice Beatson, John Cottle and Anne and Harvey Wilson who were all so competitive on the circuit.

None of her eight grandchildren are following either her or their parents into the world of equestrian, although (Rachel’s daughter) Anna-Bell did dabble for a while.

“Sam bought a pony for Lilla and she gave up not long after. That was his main aim — to get her not to ride!”

Over the years, Merran has been involved with so much locally including the RDA Indoor Arena, and she and husband Sid have been huge supporters of the Poverty Bay A&P Show, volunteering many hours to help in the lead-up to the very popular annual event.

“I am very lucky to have a husband who paid the bills which enabled me to ride,” says Merran.

And the world of equestrian is all the more richer for having a rider like Merran.