“Where Eventing Lives”

Welcome back to Go Eventing, the podcast where the heart, soul, and stories of the eventing world come to life. As the eventing season winds down, this penultimate episode takes a deep look into what it truly means to compete and succeed at the highest level of the sport — offering a rare glimpse into the mindset and methodology of a 5* rider at the very top of the sport plans their seasons, balances horse development with competition schedules, and maintains excellence in an increasingly competitive global field. 

If you’re a technical nerd when it comes to the nitty-gritty of the eventing sport, or if you’ve ever wondered how 5* riders choose their partners, manage the pressures and politics of team competition, or adapt their training philosophies across their string of horses, this episode is for you. It’s a reminder that eventing is as much about mindset as it is about skill — and that even at the top, an athlete’s success depends on trust, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the horse.

🔎What’s Inside Episode 19?

Host Sally Spickard sits down with World Number One Harry Meade, dissecting the art of producing and selecting horses for 5* competition, the strategic challenges of events like Pau, and the evolving landscape of international eventing. They dive deep into the sport’s direction, the future of horse production, and the enduring passion that keeps eventers pushing forward year after year. From the nuances of conditioning and fitness — a talent Harry is renowned for — to the balance between competition frequency and quality, this discussion offers both inspiration and education for riders and fans alike.

Harry is first and foremost an eventing nerd at heart, and provides that methodical inside perspective while balancing a trust in the heart of elite eventing — a sport built on patience, precision, and partnership. How has he gotten such a talented string that he’s able to aim a healthy handful at each and every 5*? Bring your notepad and several pencils, because the answers are complex but fascinating.

🔥 In This Episode, We Cover…

• 01:55 – News & Notes: 2025’s Final 5* at Pau

A shakeup finish at Pau ends with Tim Price and Jarillo on top. This is our final 5* of 2025, so Harry and Sally immediately dive in to discuss the significance and intricacies of European 5*s.

• 13:48 – One Big Thing: 5* Entries and the Future

The conversation centers on the idea of “horses for courses” — exploring Harry Meade’s philosophy on matching horses to the right level, and how that shapes his business model and long-term goals. He shares why his focus has always been on producing 5* horses rather than chasing championship teams, describing 5*s like Badminton and Burghley as the pinnacle of the sport he’s always held dreams of, rather than the Olympics or European Championships. The conversation also dives into what makes an ideal event horse, how Harry maintains his horses’ peak fitness, and what the recent decline in 5* entries might signal about the evolving landscape of eventing’s future.

[Read Sally’s article “Horses for Courses on MARS Maryland 5 Star Cross Country Day”]

• 1:09:54 – You Ask, We Answer: 5*s in Europe, XC Breakfasts, and KY3DE 2026

Sally aims the more thought-provoking and controversial questions at Harry, pressing for answers on his 5* choices and future aims for international competition. Also — do you eat breakfast on cross-country day or keep an empty stomach? Does Harry raid the riders’ tent while waiting for his next ride, or wait it out till he’s run all three courses?

[Submit your question for our co-hosts here]

• 1:16:39 – Finish Flags

Next up: Our most frequently-requested co-host will be joining us on November 18th for our Season 1 Finale of the Go Eventing Podcast — the one and only Boyd Martin!

🎧 Want to learn more about Harry’s recent 5* success across the globe?

Head over to EventingNation.com to read all the latest from 5*s and eventing across the globe — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the Go Eventing Podcast to help grow our community! Connect with us @goeventing, or you can reach us anytime at [email protected]. 

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Go Eventing wherever you get your podcasts! Let’s make this our favorite tack room listen.

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