In this exclusive interview eventer Harry Meade talks frankly about his career, his family and the love of his sport.
Harry is one of Britain’s leading event riders. He was a member of the silver medal-winning team at the 2014 World Championships and earlier that year came third at Badminton Horse Trials. He has completed a total of 16 four star events and came sixth at Burghley in 2018.
Eventing is in Harry’s blood as his late father, Richard Meade, won a number of medals includes three Olympic golds, two golds at the World championships and three European golds. He also claimed Badminton twice and Burghley once.
Harry was the National Pony Club eventing champion and the following year a member of the British Junior team.
While at Bristol University Harry was stable jockey to William Fox-Pitt, where he took on the ride on Midnight Dazzler, a notoriously difficult horse. The 20-year-old Harry put everything into overcoming the challenges and developed a partnership, which saw the pair become one of the most consistent four-star combinations on the international circuit.
Harry credits his time with William as shaping him as a rider, learning to give his horses time and focussing on their long-term development. For three consecutive years he won the prize for the best placed rider under the age of 25 at Burghley, he also remains the youngest rider to have ever received an Armada dish for five Badminton completions.
In August 2013 Harry suffered a rotational fall, that nearly ended his career. In this exclusive interview he talks about how he made it back into the saddle and recovered both physically and mentally, to come third at Badminton, just a few months later.
· Following in his father’s footsteps and why his success has made him push himself to reach the very top of his sport.
· Passing down his father’s legacy to his children – and the importance of letting children learn to ride and find their own balance through self- exploration.
· Delivering his son at home, with his broken arms still in braces, when his wife clearly wasn’t going to make it to hospital! And why he needed a ruler…
· Tragically losing his top horse, and best friend, Wild Lone at the World Championships.
· His ‘deep sense of satisfaction’ from bringing on young horses – and the importance of having patience and taking things slowly.
· His five top tips on being an amazing rider!
We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed making it.
To find out more about the helmets Harry loves – visit https://www.charlesowen.com/.