Graeme Hansen

Graeme Otto Hansen (20 March 1934 – 22 August 2007), also known as Hec Hansen, was a New Zealand equestrian.

Career Hansen was born in Gisborne in 1934 and grew up in Hexton near Gisborne. His parents were Ruie and Eva Hansen, and he had three siblings. His father was riding in the cavalry in WWI and all four children developed into skilled equestrians. His nickname "Hec" referred to the most prominent jockey of the time, Hector Gray.

Hansen started competing internationally in 1959. His uncle gave him a horse, Saba Sam, which his uncle considered not good enough for track racing, but it turned out to be an excellent show jumper. In 1964, Graeme Hansen and his elder brother Bruce Hansen made the first New Zealand equestrian team that was sent to the Tokyo Olympics. At the team jumping event captained by Bruce Hansen, they came in tenth place. In the individual jumping event he came twenty-third on Saba Sam. Graeme Hansen was New Zealand Olympian number 179.