Harry Meade’s Rise to World No. 1: A Testament to Consistent Excellence in Equestrian Sport
Breaking New Ground in International Eventing
British eventer Harry Meade has achieved a remarkable milestone in his career by rising to the top of the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings, claiming the number one position in the world for the first time.
The rankings show Meade leading with 588 points, followed by fellow Briton Tom McEwen in second place with 577 points, and Rosalind Canter in third with 560 points. New Zealand’s Tim Price holds fourth position, while American Boyd Martin sits in fifth.
Recent Competition Success
Meade’s ascent to the top spot has been backed by impressive performances, including a notable showing at the CCI5* in Lexington with third and fourth place finishes, followed by strong results at the Badminton Horse Trials, where he placed fourth with Cavalier Crystal and sixth with Superstition.
Most recently, Meade demonstrated his exceptional skill at the Burghley Horse Trials, securing three positions in the top 10 – third with Cavalier Crystal, fourth with Annaghmore Valoner, and ninth with Et Hop Du Matz, replicating his success from the previous year.
A Legacy of Excellence
Meade’s journey in equestrian sports began early, being born into an eventing family – his father, Richard, was a triple Olympic gold medallist and double Badminton winner. His childhood was spent developing natural feel and instinct in the saddle, with his father believing in the value of untaught experience.
When asked about the secret to his recent success, Meade attributes it to his long-term philosophy: “It’s about producing horses in a ‘softly-softly’ way and making sure they enjoy their job.” His focus remains on each horse’s development, both mentally and physically, with their longevity in mind.
Looking to the Future
Widely respected in the equestrian world for his quiet and sympathetic style of riding, Meade operates a relatively small yard at Church Farm, emphasizing high standards and individual treatment for each horse. His proven ability to produce young horses into top-level stars has consistently placed him among the world’s best competitors.