Memorial service to be held for eventing legend Richard Meade
A memorial service for event rider Richard Meade is to be held next Thursday (26 March).
The service will be at Bath Abbey at 2.30pm and all are welcome to attend.
The triple Olympic gold medallist died on 9 January, aged 76. He had been suffering from cancer.
Richard, who was described by many as “the ultimate gentleman” was a member of the British eventing team for 21 years.
Known for his coolness under pressure, and his ability to get the best out of any horse — often those he hadn’t ridden for long — Richard was an inspirational equestrian figure.
He made his first Olympic appearance at Tokyo in 1964 and finished eighth — the highest placed British rider. He then secured team gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, in severe weather conditions riding Cornishman V, as well as at the 1972 Munich Games (riding Laurieston). He also won individual gold at the latter.
As well as his Olympic success he also won two gold and three silver World championship medals, and three golds and two bronzes at European championships.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
In 1970 Richard claimed Badminton for the first time with The Poacher. Twelve years later he won it again with Speculator III. He also won Burghley in 1964 with Barberry.
Richard also served on the British Horse Society’s council for more than 10 years and was the chairman of the British Horse Foundation. In 1974 Richard was awarded an OBE.
He retired from riding competitively when his son Harry was a child, but he has been highly influential in his son’s eventing career.
“The way Richard set an example for Harry was very impressive; he was a great source of strength to him,” said Mike Tucker. “He was a great example and a wonderful man.”
For full details on the memorial service visit: www.harrymeade.com
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.