Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2025: Winners revealed
Thirty-six competitors took part in the Britain’s Fittest Farmer finals on 20 September at Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, in a contest celebrating strength, stamina and mental resilience.
The annual Farmers Weekly initiative, now in its eighth year, aims to highlight the importance of physical and mental health in the farming community.
See also: Find out more about Britain’s Fittest Farmer and register your interest for 2026.
Will Arden, head judge, said: “The competitors have all been really strong this year, with lots of new faces, which is great to see. The standards and fitness levels are really high.
“Being hosted at The Farmer’s Dog has been great as it has involved more of the community and shown the public what being a farmer is all about and how much we support each other.”
The Farming Community Network (FCN) attended as the event’s charity partner.
Mark Newman, FCN volunteer and Oxfordshire chairman, said: “Events like this are a great opportunity to get together for a sense of community. The competitors are the pinnacle of what farm fitness can look like.”
When asked if he might compete in future, Jeremy Clarkson joked: “No, I won’t be competing next year, I’ll have this beer and just be Britain’s fattest farmer instead.”
Addressing the competitors, Jeremy added: “Every single thing you consume in the entire place [The Farmer’s Dog Pub] has been grown and reared by you lot, so well done everybody. Give yourselves a round of applause.”
The four winners received £1,000 each in prize money.
Back row (from left): Liberty Parsons, Emily Meakin and Samantha Green. Middle row (from left): Edward Holmes, Lucy Sheffield, Anne Grindal, Jennie Woodcock and Michael Georgiou. Front row (from left): Jim Reed, Ben Squibb and Richard Stott © MAG/Colin Miller
Women under 40s: Emily Meakin
Emily Meakin with Jeremy Clarkson © MAG/Colin Miller
Competing against strong contenders including runners-up Liberty Parsons and Samantha Green, Emily Meakin took the title of Women under 40s winner.
Based in Staffordshire, Emily is the director of a farm business diversifying into weddings and events.
When not hosting, she’s hands-on milking 300 Holsteins alongside her partner, Henry, at their farm near Shrewsbury.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Emily is currently focused on Hyrox training and has previously competed in triathlons and cycling at a high level.
“I have to exercise for my mental and physical health,” she said.
“When I do, especially in the morning, it means I have a sense of achievement, so I have a positive attitude to face challenges during the day. It’s so important and is a fundamental building block of my day.”
After taking the top spot, she said: “Amazing. Absolutely incredible. It’s quite a title, isn’t it, when you think about it, I’m so happy.”
On the importance of wellbeing, she added: “Oh, I think it’s huge, and if I could just encourage everybody to do the same… get inspired, get motivated, because the rewards you reap from it are just insane.”
She encouraged others to take the first step: “Join a club, get down to your running club, your gym – you just never know who you’re going to meet. Putting a time on it means you will turn up.”
Asked who she thought deserved the title of Britain’s Fittest Farmer, she laughed: “Oh! I guess I’m meant to say me now!”
Emily has no plans to slow down, with another Hyrox competition in Birmingham just five weeks away. “It’s like a bit of rest and then crack on,” she said.
As for next year? Emily says she will definitely be competing again.
Women over 40s: Anne Grindal
Anne Grindall © MAG/Colin Miller
Anne Grindal claimed the over-40s women’s title for the second year running at the 2025 Britain’s Fittest Farmer finals.
In a close second place came Lucy Sheffield and third was Jennie Woodcock.
A modern-day farmer’s wife, Anne juggles family life, farm duties, and her role as an equestrian coach, while also helping to run a mixed beef and arable farm with her family.
She keeps active with a mix of HIIT classes, weight training, running, riding and Hyrox workouts – all part of her preparation for the competition.
“All of that hard work over the past year has really paid off, it’s been just great,” she said after her win.
Anne said returning to compete again was never in doubt: “I’ve come back this year because I am a sucker for punishment.
“In all honesty, it’s a great community to be in. Every year you get the same atmosphere – it feels good to be a part of something. Everyone is so supportive.”
She highlighted the mental health benefits of staying active. “I think, to be honest, mental health wise this has kept me sane – and probably married!
“What I find over time is, you need to keep your own head in the right place to be able to support others, and that’s what I find from exercise and that’s why I do it.”
Anne also praised head judge Will for his efforts running the 2025 event. “He just ran it – he ran the whole thing. I think he’s just fantastic and he’s done the most amazing job.”
Men under 40s: Ben Squibb
Ben Squibb © MAG/Colin Miller
Farm vet Ben Squibb has been crowned winner of the under-40s men’s category.
The 27-year-old held off stiff competition from Jim Reed who was awarded second place, while Paul Harrison was hot on his heels with third.
Ben grew up in Welshpool and studied veterinary medicine at the University of Bristol.
He now works at Trefaldwyn Vets in Montgomery, covering dairy, beef and sheep farms, dealing with everything from fertility visits to emergency calvings and TB testing.
After a rugby injury ended his playing days, Ben turned to CrossFit – a sport he now not only trains in, but also coaches.
“Fitness is so important to me as it’s a relief from the stresses at work,” he said.
Reflecting on his win, Ben added: “I think it puts all the hard work that you put in day-to-day into perspective.”
He credits exercise with supporting both his physical and mental health. “Exercise definitely helps mentally; it really helps with all of the stress of work and life.
“And you can forge relationships with people that you train with and work hard with.”
Encouraged to enter by a client from his gym, Ben says he would “definitely” compete again. His advice for anyone thinking of applying? “Join a CrossFit gym!”
When asked what he’d do next, he simply said: “Eat a lot of food!”
Men over 40s: Richard Stott
Richard Stott © MAG/Colin Miller
West Yorkshire arable farmer Richard Stott has claimed the top spot in the over-40s men’s category.
Reflecting on his victory, Richard said: “It’s a big achievement, and I’m quite surprised that I won. I trained quite hard for it, so I’m pretty happy.”
Growing up milking a 150-cow Holstein herd, Richard later helped shift the family farm into arable and contract work.
He now manages 120ha full time, while also working as an engineering consultant.
Balancing two demanding careers, he stays fit with four to five Hyrox-style training sessions each week and enjoys road cycling in good weather.
He believes the competition offers a valuable outlet for those in farming.
“I think it’s good for everybody to do something outside of farming – a break from being on the farm – so I think everybody who trains a bit should have a go at the competition.”
On mental and physical resilience, he said: “Sometimes the mental toughness is as hard as the physical thing, to be honest… if you’re really struggling on an event or an exercise, then you’re just going to create a determination to get yourself through.
“Being a farmer with our resilience, everybody just seems to keep going, and I think that probably stands you in good stead.”
Richard credits his father with encouraging the importance of having a life beyond farming. “I’ve always had to have a hobby… that’s why it’s good to do something else, rather than just being at home all the time.”
As for what’s next, he said: “I’ve got a three-hour drive, so probably by the time I get home, I’ll just go straight to bed. We might have a beer when we get back.”