Richard Meade's son Harry (right) has followed in his father's footsteps and was recently part of the British silver medal winning team in Normandy
Triple Olympic gold medallist Richard Meade OBE, the first British rider to have won an individual Olympic title, has died at the age of 76
On the 4th January a statement was issued on the website of his son Harry saying
“He was diagnosed with cancer in October. Having had six weeks of treatment, he was taken into hospital on Boxing Day after a lovely Christmas at home with all his family. Sadly he has deteriorated very quickly and his body is unable to withstand further treatment.
He is being a tower of strength for his family who are all with him; despite the prognosis he is being typically calm and positive and remains an example to us all”
Monmouth-born Meade was in the British teams that won gold at the Games in Mexico 1968 and Munich in 1972 and also won the individual gold in Munich as well as being a member of the British teams that won the World Championship in 1970 and 1982 and three European titles. As an individual rider he won at Badminton in 1970 riding The Poacher and 1982 riding Speculator III and the Burghley Horse Trials in 1964 on Barberry
The well respected eventing rider was a dedicated contributor to the equestrian world during his career and following his retirement from the sport. He served on the British Horse Society’s Council and was Chairman of the British Horse Foundation. He was also formerly President of the British Equestrian Federation, a member of the International Equestrian Federation’s (FEI) Eventing Committee and then a Bureau Member and Chairman of its Northern European Group of Nations. He served on the sport’s governing body in the UK (now British Eventing) continuously for over 30 years until after its reorganisation in 1996 when he was made a Vice President.
He is survived by his three children James, Harry and Lucy and his widow Angela
