Harry’s childhood was spent in the saddle, developing him into a natural and instinctive rider. Inspired by his father, a three-time Olympic Gold Medallist, Harry was keen to emulate Richard’s career. Growing up, Harry was an active member of the Pony Club. After winning the Pony Club Championships on a one-off catch ride, Harry represented the British team at the Junior European Championships, where he won a prize for the stand-out cross-country performance of the competition.
Despite his many successes, Harry is no stranger to hardship. In 2013, he suffered what were deemed to be career-ending injuries when both of his arms shattered in a rotational fall. A long and uncertain rehabilitation period followed, with eight operations to reconstruct both elbows. Extraordinarily, six months later he came third at Badminton – a year that would later be regarded as one of the toughest in the event’s history, with fewer than half the field finishing.
That year, Harry was named the EHOA Rider of the Year (by the body that represents owners within the sport) the ERA Rider of the Year (by the riders’ body), the BEWA Rider of the Year (by the press and media) and Horse & Hound’s Rider of the Year, voted for by the readership. In 2020, Harry suffered another serious fall at Thoresby when his foot became caught in the stirrup, and he was dragged under the horse while being repeatedly stamped on the head. As well as fractures, he sustained a significant brain injury, affecting his vestibular system ever since. Despite this, Harry remained at the top of the sport, and climbed to the top of the world rankings in 2025 and 2026.
Harry and his wife Rosie have two children together, Lily 14 and Charlie 12. Harry’s two senior members of staff are Jess Errington and Molly Parkin who have been with him for 18 and 12 years respectively.