About Stuart

Stuart Neads began his showjumping career at his parents home in Somerset with a pony bought from the market. After starting competitions in the local area, the combination worked their way through the grades, eventually representing their country in the Nations Cup team in Belgium in 1998. They went on to win the 14.2 pony Grand Prix at the UK Festival of Showjumping, and were runners up at the 14.2 pony Championship at Horse of the Year Show.

At 16, Stu decided to ride full time, and took up a stable jockey offer at Michael Whitaker’s yard. As well as producing young horses for Michael, Stu got the ride on Azimuth, and took him to Moorsele in 2000 where the combination were placed in the Grand Prix. They went on to become one of the most successful Young Rider combinations in the country, coming 2nd in the Young Rider Championships at the Festival of Showjumping, and winning both the Young Rider Championship at Hickstead 2000 and Horse of the Year Show 2000. The following year, Stuart represented Great Britain in the Young Rider Nations Cup in Virden on a horse called Sublime, and also was selected for the Nations Cup team in Reims on a horse called Liberty.

After four and a half years at Michael’s yard, Stu moved to Scotland, and rode for the Gillespies. He competed a team of successful International horses, and at Horse of the Year Show in 2002 successes include 4th in the Foxhunter Final and 2nd in the Young Rider Championship with Abrisca. In 2003 Stuart came 4th in the Newcomer final with Ara at Hoys, and the combination won the Snooker Masterclass two years running at Rowallan.

On the International circuit, Stu and Ara won a number of speed classes on the Sunshine Tour in Spain, 2006, and he was placed in the Grand Prix with Laconda. As a result of these successes, Stu was selected for the Lottery World Class funding, given to ten of the country’s most promising riders under 30, who are considered to be Great Britain’s potential senior team riders and Olympic hopefuls. 

After 5 years with the Gillespies, Stu left Scotland and moved down South to ride for Andy Doswell. Here, Stu successfully competed a team of young horses, results including coming 3rd in the 7 year old final at Addington with Sonora in 2007, and also 4th in the Foxhunter final at Horse of the Year Show 2007. Amoruso van de Helle competed successfully at Zangershiede Young Horse Championships 2007, and Nevardo and Stu went on to win the 7 year old final at Villamora in Portugal in 2008, and Valant the 6 year old class.

After four and a half years riding for the Hill House Equine Team, Stuart is now based back in Haslemere, dividing his time between the yard at home and three fantastic kids.

Beech Farm Stables, Grayswood Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2DF