Text: Amelia Campbell-Horne
Tam Rueda and Callaho Liantos recently claimed their first WCQ podium finish in style jumping a quick double clear in Shongweni last month to finish on the top step of the podium! We had a quick catch-up with this homegrown horse and rider pair to hear all about it.
HQ: Take us back to the beginning. How long have you been riding, and how did you get into it?
Tam: I’ve been riding basically forever… Or, at least, since I could walk! My mom had horses, so I started riding at home. She stuck me on a few ponies, and I’ve been riding ever since.
We come from a horse-riding family; my granny was in racing, my mom did racing and showjumping, so it’s just in the genes, I guess?
HQ: Tell us a bit about your riding career when you were younger.
Tam: I rode at Lane Stables, and I didn’t have much of a pony career, but I went into Juniors when I was 13 or 14 and had an amazing horse called Express. Then I got Quanti (Quantas 18), and with her I won my first Grand Prix at 18.
HQ: Can you tell us about your journey with Callaho Liantos?
Tam: My journey with Liantos was quite unexpected! We went to the Callaho Auction in 2016 and we had our eyes on another horse but, unfortunately, didn’t get her. We were with Johan Kachelhoffer, who we were quite involved with at the time as he had chosen my horse Quantas 18. As we had missed out on Callaho Coneisha and Callaho Liantos was one of the last horses on Auction Johan pointed at him when he came up and said “I promise you, that is the one.”. We hadn’t tried him and we ended up getting him!
HQ: He has always been quite quirky; how have you managed those ‘quirks’?
Tam: Ya, he was quite naughty in the beginning – ‘quirky’ and full of himself. He used to get me off all the time, kicked me everywhere… and he was just a nightmare! But he has always loved his job, and it was just about containing his ability. I’ve had to allow him to be himself but also keep the lid on him. I’ve tried to keep things uncomplicated, but at the same time keep him stimulated all the time because when he has nothing to do, he gets completely ahead of himself! I try to make his work very different every day, alternating between hacking out, working in, and lunging. We have also had to be patient with him because he is so careful; this meant we just had to take our time with him going up the grades.
HQ: This is not your first big win of the year having had a great victory in the Grand Prix at the Stokkiesdraai WCQ. Can you tell us about that competition?
Tam: So, he only stepped up to the 1.50m classes last year; we spent quite a lot of time in the 1.40s with him, and he had his first big win at 1.45/1.50m in the Burlington Cup last year. This year, he came second in the Aquelle Shongweni Grand Prix, and then otherwise, it’s been clear first round and then not as much luck in the second round. Then, it all came together in Stokkies. At every show, it feels like he has learnt more and matured more, so I have just tried to be patient with him. He is so naturally quick over the jump, so then when I think quick, he can go too quick, and then we have a soft rail. So, the change at Stokkies was that we really stuck to our plan. Myself and my coaches Rainer Körber and Gonda Beatrix said that we were going to focus on the WCQ on Sunday, so that took the pressure off the Grand Prix, which is where he rose to the occasion, and we won! And then we went on to Shongweni with the same mentality and took the win there! So, long may this streak last!
HQ: Shongweni is where you also jumped your first WCQ on him in June last year, and you finished up seventh out of the 29 starters, so it’s clearly a favourite venue for you! But looking forward, what are your plans with Liantos?
Tam: I’m not sure. My absolute dream would be to take him to Europe for two years to campaign there on him, but we are just in the process of seeing if that is a possibility and finding a base and funding! It’s a bit more complicated than I would have thought… So the alternative is to stay in South Africa and extend his career as long as possible, and achieve all we can together, but my absolute dream would be to go and ride In Europe with Liantos for two years.
HQ: And you don’t only have him, so what are the plans with the rest of your string and what you would like to do with them?
Tam: Lad (L’Adorado FG) is finally back from an injury, and I was hoping we would be ready to jump Derby, but I’m not sure at this stage, so we will just see. Otherwise, we aim for next year and getting back to the big classes. And then I have three amazing young horses that I have been focusing on and having fun on, so the focus is producing them. Then, with Justi (Just on Time Z), I’d like to get him back up to the 1.50m classes next year.
Did you know?
Liantos is the second locally bred Callaho to win a WCQ – the first was Callaho Lord Cris, last year with George Coutlis in the saddle.
HQ: How do you deal with ‘nerves’, and do you have any helpful tips and tricks for us?
Tam: I think… breathe! Try not to let your nerves fluster you, and try to focus on enjoying yourself! It should be fun! But also, if you have a horse that you trust, then it’s also easy to believe in them and just enjoy yourself. At the end of the day, we are very lucky to be able to ride these beautiful horses, so remember that, breathe, try enjoy yourself and let it be!
HQ: What is the most important thing you look for in a coach?
Tam: I think the main thing is having someone that gives you confidence and believes in you and your horse. They need to be willing to invest their time and effort in you but also be patient. I’ve had the privilege of having a lot of great coaches, and that is what has always been important to me, and those are my favourite qualities.
HQ: With your new business ventures (WINX Brokers and Rueda Wine Company) how do you fit in your riding?
Tam: WINX fits in so well with the riding because I obviously just connect with the riding people through the sport. RWC is a bit trickier, and I’m trying to find the balance between working at shows and riding at shows! Having said that, it is a good fit with the riding community, and people have been so welcoming to the brand so far and really supported it. It’s a very exciting time for both WINX and RWC and I’m just happy to be a part of it.
HQ: Well congratulations again, and we wish you all the best and hope to see you both representing SA on the international stage!
Tam’s thank yous
A huge thank you to my mom for her never-ending support! I’d also like to thank my coaches Gonda (Betrix) and Ray (Körber) as well as my sponsors Western Shoppe, Prestige, Samshield, Winx Brokers, CHG Equestrian, KL Equine, Max Gut Health, AAN Equine, Regenesis Vet and Novita Biotechnology.
