If you’re looking for a Thoroughbred that demonstrates versatility, soundness and longevity then none fit the bill more than Merran Hain’s Untouchable (Warsaw Pact x Melting Point).

At 23 years old, the brown gelding is still competing at the top level and is entered for 14 classes at the Land Rover Horse of The Year Show in early March.

Monty has found his niche in the hunter classes and competes in Working Hunter (A showing class based on conformation, jumping technique and how they gallop), Hunter Jumping (judged on jumping and gallop) and Show Hunter (A round of jumps judged on technique and style).

A legend in equestrian circles Hain has represented the country in show jumping, eventing and dressage. A feat unlikely to be replicated again. 

Hain, who turns 80 in March, has handed Untouchable’s reins to talented young rider Hollie Falloon (19) for this year’s Horse of the Year.

Though not competing (equestrians will know this is a fairly recent development), Hain will be ringside to take in the action and is also a key part of the team, driving the horse truck for the four or so hours from Gisborne to Hastings.

The opportunity to ride ‘Monty’ is one that Masterton-based Falloon is appreciative of and takes pride in being able to ride the top performing veteran.

“Long story short, mum used to work for Merran and they were on the phone one day and Merran asked if I would ride him,” Falloon said. “That was it really. I was lucky enough to have a few shows last season on him and a few this season. Last year he came to our place for a bit though year he has stayed with Merran and I have gone up and ridden him.

“He is one of the most experienced horses around and he is incredibly well-schooled. If you know how to push the buttons they are there. 

“You don’t see a lot of Thoroughbreds in the working hunter and hunter jumping. You see them more out eventing. Monty is quite a solid, big-boned type for a Thoroughbred.

“He is a pretty genuine, good-natured old fellow. He is full of talent but then again Merran has done a very good job. When I went to the Gisborne Show and did the hunter jumping he hit this rhythm and I nearly cried. He has been doing it for probably over 15 years but for me it was amazing.”

Hain has sat astride several talented Thoroughbreds during her illustrious career – Grand Prix dressage champion Smiley John, top eventer Onassis, and top show jumpers Momento and Justice to name a few – so when it came to purchasing Untouchable she knew exactly what she was looking for and it wasn’t complicated.

“I went and looked at him at Mark Todd’s place when he was four,” she explained. “I put a jump up, he hadn’t jumped before. I thought ‘I’m watching the rider of the century on this horse’ and I just wanted to see what his action was like behind. It was quite good, so I bought him.”

It was a sale Todd would later regret and was among those who tried to purchase Monty from Hain once his talent shone through.

“I think Monty would have been a very good eventer,” Hain said. “Toddy tried to buy him back at one stage and I did get offered huge money along the way but I didn’t want to sell him.

You don’t get that many chances and I was getting older and he was a nice horse.”

The pair were a formidable combination, winning numerous accolades in showing, show jumping and show hunter. Among their achievements are several Working Hunter of the Year titles as well as Best Thoroughbred of Show Awards.

In terms of the NZTR-sponsored TiES series, Untouchable has won the Show Hunter section on an incredible seven occasions, placed second in another and is currently second in this season’s standings.

When queried as to why Monty has been so consistent for such a long period of time, Hain puts it down to conformation and temperament.

“Monty has very good legs, there isn’t a mark on him,” Hain explained. “They need to have good conformation. All the horses I have had, they have all had very good conformation.

“He has a good temperament, he has never bucked in his life with a rider on him. If he does get a bit fiery you can ride through it.

“I think Thoroughbreds are very honest. They try hard for you and they last a long time. Smiley John was with me till he was 25.

“The interesting thing that I have found, is that if Thoroughbreds race as two-year-olds they seem to keep going longer. They don’t need to do a lot but if they are in training and do a bit, it seems they last longer. You get warmbloods and they don’t last that long.

“There are breeds within Thoroughbreds that jump and I believe there is a place for Thoroughbreds at the top in showjumping if they are well trained. They aren’t that fashionable at all in show jumping and I think people forget about them. Icelandic or Zabeel, they are some of the good jumping bloodlines in Thoroughbreds.”

With less than a week to go till equestrian’s mecca, Horse of the Year, the final touches are being put on Monty’s preparation. With a track record of consistent performances, he will surely step into the ring as one of the hot favourites to lead the field during the victory lap.