A Change in the Saddle: Harry Meade picks up where father Richard left off (3/6)
Throughout the season, and just as it does every year, the CHIG newsletter is bringing you a series of articles on a specific theme. The focus for 2025 is jumping’s new generation of riders, the sons and daughters of, who are making it not because of who they are but because of what they can do. In this year’s third instalment, we put the spotlight on another riding dynasty: eventing champions the Meades.
To read the first issues of our series on equestrian dynasties, click here:
A chip off the old block
Harry Meade quietly moved to the top of the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings in June, following a hugely impressive and consistent run of results. The British eventer is merely continuing a proud family tradition, as he follows in the footsteps of father Richard, a multiple Olympic medallist who made his mark on the discipline.
Harry Meade took to the top of his sport last year following victory in the Bramham CCI4*-L and third- and fourth-place finishes at the ever-challenging Burghley CCI5*-L a couple of months later. The British rider has continued in the same vein in 2025, winning the CCI4*-L at Montelibretti in March, placing third and fourth at the Lexington CCI5*-L in April, and then fourth and sixth at the legendary CCI5*-L at Badminton in May. In the process, the 42-year-old Meade showed his success is down to a lot more than family ties. With his expertise, work ethic and belief in being kind to his horses, he has rightfully taken his place in eventing history.
It all started for Harry when he was a young boy growing up around and developing a passion for horses. Soon came a love of competing, with his Olympic gold-medal-winning father doing all he could to nurture his desire to live for his sport.
“When I was young, I dreamed of becoming an eventing rider and doing what my father did,” he said. Richard Meade was indeed a legend of eventing, flying the Union Jack high in a discipline in which the British excelled. As well as three Olympic golds (team at Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 and individual at Munich 1972), he won five World Championship medals (two individual silvers, two team golds and a team silver) and five European Championship medals between 1965 and 1981, not to mention, of course, his two Badminton triumphs in 1970 and 1982.
A shared passion
Nevertheless, Harry never felt under any pressure to pursue the same career as his father, who was always there for him when needed but never told his son what he had to do. “My father was very relaxed and was always there to talk about certain horses,” explained Harry. “I always loved chatting to him about the ones that were a little out of the ordinary or difficult, so we could decide on how to handle them.”
“He was a fantastic rider. He didn’t have any kind of system; just an intuition that allowed him to get the best out of every horse. I’m very grateful to have spent so much time with him. Aside from our relationship as father and son, we shared the same passion. Though he died a little over 10 years ago, he was there for the first half of my career. We had a lot of happy times together and I hope he would be proud of what I’ve achieved since then.”
On top of the world rankings since June, Harry continues to make eventing history, etching his name alongside his father’s in the annals of eventing. “It’s very rewarding to be world number one, especially for my team, who work so hard. It wasn’t something I was specifically aiming for. I’ve always focused on 5* events, but the world rankings reflect the success achieved with a depth of horses at this level. I feel honoured to be in this position. I always wanted to be valued as a competitor and to be a good rider, with more of an emphasis on the latter.”
A higher love
While competition, and 5* events and the Olympic Games in particular, continue to be important sources of motivation for Harry, it is his love of horses that guides him: “I want to continue producing happy, confident horses that are able to give their very best at the highest level. I love competing and I’ve always been a huge fan of the sport, but I love horses above all else, and in that respect I’m still the little boy I was all those years ago. It’s wonderful to have a career in something I’m so passionate about.”
With his two children both budding riders, is the story of the Meade dynasty set to continue for another generation? “Personally, I’ve never known anything else,” said Harry. “My parents never put pressure on me and were happy for me to ride, but they would probably have been just as happy if I’d done it just for fun and pursued a career in something else.”
“Like my parents, I’m delighted that my two children ride, but I don’t want to push them into pursuing a career in a sport that is not for sensitive souls. There are lots of opportunities in the world and I don’t want to be too pushy about steering them on the path I’ve taken. If they ride professionally, it will be because that’s what they really want to do, not because they think that’s what I expect of them. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future has in store for them.”
Aged 13 and 11 respectively, Lily and Charlie have plenty of time to write their own stories. In the meantime, Harry is sticking to his goals, guided as ever by his love of the sport and his close relationship with his mounts.
“The 5* events and the Olympic Games were what motivated me when I was young and that’s still the case today,” he added. “Having said that, I’m sorry I won’t be able to make it to Geneva. It would have been amazing to take part in the event and ride in the indoor cross-country. I might just make it one of my objectives for next year.”
We’ll hold you to that, Harry.
Sophie Lebeuf
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