Great Britain’s Harry Meade has usurped USA’s Boyd Martin to become world number one in the FEI eventing rankings for the first time in his career.   

The 41-year-old from Wiltshire has produced a string of impressive results at CCI5* level recently to help him ascend from third place in the rankings last month to take the top spot. 

“It’s a great honour to be world number one, and a real milestone,” said Harry. 

“It’s particularly rewarding for the wider team behind me – they are so invested, and their hard work and support has led to this. I’m proud of all of them. I think my 11-year-old son is most excited about it though – he’s been following the rankings over the past year and was the first to call it!”

Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal finished fourth at Mars Badminton Horse Trials last month.

Consistent performances

Harry’s recent strong run of form at the highest level of the sport included finishing third aboard Et Hop du Matz and fourth with Graffenacht at Lexington, and piloting Cavalier Crystal and Superstition into fourth and sixth places respectively at Badminton. At Burghley last year he was third with Cavalier Crystal and fourth aboard Annaghmore Valoner. 

“It’s about producing horses in a “softly-softly” way and making sure they [the horses] enjoy their job. My focus is always on each horse’s development, both mentally and physically, with their longevity in mind. I’m always learning, and the key to ongoing success is being able to do it with all kinds of horses,” said Harry.

“Our owners and sponsors have fully bought into our way of doing things. They have faith that it works and are in it for the long term. My aim is to do them justice.”

Harry leads the rankings on 588 points just ahead of compatriots Tom McEwen (577) and Mars Badminton Horse Trials champion Ros Canter (560). Last month’s world number one, Boyd Martin, has dropped to fifth while New Zealander Tim Price occupies fourth. 

“I’ve followed Eventing since before I could walk – it’s the sport I love. There are still mountains in front of me that I want to climb, but for a brief moment in a life where you rarely stand still, we’ll take a moment to pause, look back, and feel some pride in what everyone has achieved,” said Harry.

The full rankings can be viewed here.

Images © Tim Wilkinson/Your Horse.

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