When a horse is bought through an online auction, there are always unknowns. For one amateur rider balancing competition with a full-time job as a vet, those unknowns have turned into a success story.

Tasha Seely, who works as an equine vet in the Cotswolds, was competing in the LeMieux BE90 Badminton Grassroots championship class with her own nine-year-old Rudolph Dieu Darco, or “Rudolph” as he is know at home, yesterday (6 May). They finished on their 34.1 dressage in 22nd place in highly competitive field of 95 starters.

Speaking of her history with Rudolph, Tasha says: “We were underbidders for him as a three-year-old, and then again as a four-year-old,” she explains. “The first time he wasn’t paid for, so they put him back on and we ended up getting a good deal for him.”

He was sourced from Belgium via a dealer based in Holland.

“He looks very like a really nice three-star horse we used to have,” says Tasha, who has previously competed up to intermediate several years ago. “I’m still not sold on whether he wants to be an event horse or not – he could still be a pure showjumper, and for a horse we weren’t initially that sure about, he’s turned out pretty well!”  

A horse with plenty of character

Speaking of Rudolph’s character, Tasha says: “He’s got the most wicked sense of humour. If a horse was to have ADHD, he definitely would. He thinks everything’s funny. He annoys everyone, but he’s not nasty.”

That attitude means he is not always straightforward to ride, particularly while competing.

“He makes me work so hard out there,” says Tasha.

Even so, his ability has carried him through the levels so far, and his results suggest there is more to come if he continues to develop.

Fitting horses around a full-time career

Tasha currently manages three horses alongside her workload, fitting riding in around long working hours.

“I ride very early in the mornings, and I have a very understanding other half,” she explains. 

Support at home has been key, and trips to events such as Blair in Scotland and Bicton in Devon have effectively served as holidays. Tasha says that her partner, who previously rode as a jockey is “very understanding”.

A return to eventing

Tasha explains that she took a break from eventing for four years prior to acquiring Rudolph.

“I’d given up eventing because I wasn’t very good at showjumping,” she says. 

Cost was also a factor: “It’s too expensive to go and have four fences down and not be placed,” she says. 

Instead, Tasha focused on showjumping for a period before deciding to come back.

“You end up getting the bug again,” she says. I’m really excited to be back.”

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