HAVING suffered a horror fall at the end of last season which saw both his elbows shattered, Harry Meade’s future as an event rider was hanging in the balance, wites Nikki Strong.

Seven months down the line, he’s not only back eventing but arguably looking better than ever.

Meade revealed he did have some worries, however, saying: “I was told at Christmas I may never sit on a horse again, so of course it was a concern.

“It’s been a pretty stressful winter, in fact. It felt really good to be back and I was pleased that I’ve been able to make a good start to the season.”

With a few events under his belt, including some brilliant results at Gatcombe when all five of his horses recorded double clears with dressage tests in the 20s, Meade is feeling confident about the season ahead.

He said: “If I had any doubts at all, there was no better way to put those to rest than the great weekend at Gatcombe. It was one of those rare events where everything just went right start to finish – it was a real confidence boost and now I feel I can put the fall behind me and look forward.”

Wild Lone, who heads to Badminton for the third year, came third at Gatcombe with his best dressage mark to date on March 22, following on from another good dressage at Aldon.

Meade has said previously that the flatwork would be the horse's weakest phase but he is pleased with the progress.

“I’m a little hesitant to get over excited until they’ve proven they can do it on the big stage but I do feel we’ve turned a bit of a corner and he’s working better than ever before. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“He’s been a very consistent four star horse and his dressage is improving all the time, so I’m feeling positive. This will be my ninth Badminton and I know well what we’re capable of in each phase so I’m confident but equally realistic. “You just have to get on and do your job and if everything goes to plan you’ll do well, and if you don’t you won’t. There’s no point worrying what others are doing, I think that’s what makes the sport a friendly one with good camaraderie, because you don’t get the same rivalries. Essentially you’re competing against the course.

“I think what makes my horse special is that he’s very, very honest. I’ve produced him from a four-year-old and knew from about five that he would be a good four-star horse.

“He’s ultra consistent and has done very little wrong in his career. He can be a bit of a twit in his brain but you forgive him for that because the good four-star horses do have something else about them in terms of temperament.

“He’s always busy in his brain but that’s what makes him good and on the ball, he’s always looking for the next fence. In his attitude he’s very honest and extremely trusting. I just don’t think he ever questions anything and that’s the result of a long term way of producing a horse, accumulating that trust.”

“I’m quite excited about a lovely seven-year-old called Away Cruising. I think he will be a very good horse. Some you are not so sure about and they surprise you but some of them you can be pretty sure they’re special early on. He’s another I’ve had since he was a four-year-old.”

Meade has around nine horses ready to compete this season and he has also been selected as part of the FEI Nations Cup squad representing Team GB.

He said of the achievement: “It’s great to be selected so I’m looking forward to competing at some of those legs. Otherwise, we will be heading to Belton next weekend then onto Tattersalls for the end of May.”