Harry Meade’s Meteoric Rise: From Recovery to World Number One in Equestrian Eventing
Rising to the Top of World Eventing
British eventer Harry Meade has achieved a remarkable milestone in his career by claiming the world number one position in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings for the first time, surpassing American Boyd Martin. The 41-year-old’s ascent saw him leap two places in the latest rankings update, overtaking both Martin and fellow Briton Tom McEwen.
Recent Championship Success
Meade’s rise to the top has been powered by exceptional performances at prestigious eventing competitions. His standout achievement came at the CCI5* in Lexington, where he secured third place with Et Hop du Matz and fourth with Grafennacht. He followed this with another impressive showing at the Badminton Horse Trials in May, finishing fourth with Cavalier Crystal and sixth with Superstition.
Most recently at the Burghley Horse Trials 2025, Meade continued his exceptional form by securing third, fourth, and ninth places with his horses Cavalier Crystal, Annaghmore Valoner, and Et Hop Du Matz respectively. Cavalier Crystal, a 15-year-old mare owned by Charlotte and Peter Opperman, demonstrated particular excellence, marking her third consecutive third-place finish at Burghley.
Philosophy and Approach
When asked about the secret to his recent success, Meade attributed it to his long-term philosophy. He emphasizes a ‘softly-softly’ approach to horse training, ensuring his horses enjoy their work while focusing on their mental and physical development with longevity in mind.
Known for his quiet and sympathetic style of riding, Meade maintains a relatively small string of horses, allowing him to develop close working relationships with each animal.
Looking to the Future
‘It’s a great honour to be world number one, and a real milestone,’ Meade commented on his achievement. He credited his success to his wider team’s hard work and support, while noting that his eleven-year-old son, who had been following the rankings throughout the past year, was particularly excited about the achievement.
