Hahn was an extremely accomplished equestrian, earning many awards and championships on the national and international stage. He represented Canada at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, placing sixth individually riding Warden and a Silver team medal, and competed in three Olympic Games, making his debut back in Mexico City in 1968 with Taffy before competing at Munich 1972 aboard Lord Jim. At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, he was the team captain partnered with L’Esprit.
Hahn competed until age 79, show jumping at Spruce Meadows with his last mount, Casey.
In addition to being an athlete, Hahn, a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 3 Certified Eventing and Jumping Coach, helped train horses at the highest levels of sport, including show jumper Branch Country, who won a silver medal with Michel Vaillancourt at the Montreal Olympics. He helped create EC’s NCCP coaching certification program, served as a FEI and Canadian horse show judge and was a director at the Canadian Equestrian Federation.
Originally form Regina, SK, Hahn was inducted to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 in recognition of his many accomplishments. In 1986, he met his partner Christine Kelly Law, who helped Hahn fulfill his lifelong dream of buying an equestrian farm, which they called Longhouse. The couple spent 31 years training, showing and hosting events and clinics on the farm for hundreds of riders.
Hahn will always be remembered for his love of all animals, calming voice and incredible knowledge of both horse and rider.
“Canada is indebted to Robin for his contributions to the development of the sport of eventing across the country,” said Fleur Tipton, EC Manager, Eventing. “Throughout his equestrian career he provided instruction and education to up-and-coming riders and coaches. His contributions to equestrian sport will be forever recognized and he will be missed.”
Hahn is survived by his longtime partner Christine, children Apryl, September and Jaysen, brother Alan Palmer Hahn, three grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Christine Kelly Law