UP-AND-COMING YOUNG RIDER PROFILE - LUCA WATSON

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DE VILLIERS (WWW.SLDV.CO.ZA) AND PIX BY ALEX (MARKED)

Luca Watson is one of our most promising young riders in SA right now. Despite his youth, 13-year-old Luca has achieved many astounding feats in his showjumping career thus far. With wisdom beyond his years, he has also tackled the heartaches of the sport and shown resilience and drive, bouncing back into an already successful junior career. HQ caught up with Luca to take us through his triumphs, his losses and his plans for the future.

HQ: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Luca: I just turned 13, and I'm in grade 7 at Beaulieu Prep School. English is my favourite subject and when I'm not on a horse I love playing football, rugby and tennis. I'm also currently captain of the BPS Equestrian Team. I'm going to Beaulieu College on an equestrian scholarship next year, which I'm super excited about. I feel so lucky to be able to stable my horses at home; it's just amazing.

I have an older brother, Jude, and a younger sister Emi, who is four and also rides. I love sushi, F1's Max Verstappen, playing soccer with my grooms after hours, and I am a diehard Liverpool supporter.

HQ: How did you get into riding, and who was your first pony?

Luca: I went to a friend's pony party when I was seven and arrived home to tell my mom I wanted to start lessons. Nobody in my family rode, so they were all a bit confused, but they supported my request. I was 8 when I got my first pony Zossie and had lessons at Farnham Riding School with Petrus, Vicky and Tamar.

Zozzie was a feisty dun mare, talented and forward, and I loved riding her. She scared me a bit initially but I eventually got the hang of her 'built-in engine' and we flew together. I went from school ponies to winning graded shows with her so quickly; she gave me the best start in ponies I could have asked for. She was a schoolmaster who wanted to win, but she could duck to the left, which kept me on my toes.

Photography: Sarah De Villiers

After six months together, we made the 70cm Gauteng Team, helped the Gauteng Team to win Gold in the Team Event, and finished the year as the 2018 Reserve South African Champions, snatching the Victor Ludorum. That was my first away show, and I've been in love with the sport since. That day was when my journey really began, and I was totally hooked.

HQ: Your journey with Treat was phenomenal. Can you tell us about it?

Luca: I saw Medunsa Trick or Treat, or 'Treat' compete in PE at the 2018 SA Champs and was blown away. He was in the Open classes with Ella Murphy, and I was in the 70s with Zossie, and I remember turning to my mum and saying, "Imagine owning a pony like that." My parents bought him for me five months later, in May 2019, and I cried non-stop when they told me.

We started our journey together in the PR90s and formed an immediate and easy bond. We became Reserve South African Champions that same year and helped Gauteng win Gold in the Team event. We just gelled, Treat and I. He understands me, and we just started having so much fun together. We won many eventing shows and started to really form an incredible partnership in the ring too. He was one in a million, and I knew it every time I sat on him. I felt so lucky to own him. He gave me enormous confidence, never said no, and always gave his best. Although he wasn't the biggest pony in the class, he always had the biggest heart in the ring.

COVID hit in 2020, and we entered the PR1m classes with masks on but full of excitement. It was a very disrupted year, but we won Gauteng Champs and finished the year on a high, taking the Reserve South African Champion slot and the Victor Ludorum. It was my third time as runner-up – it was becoming a habit I didn't like.

Photography: Sarah De Villiers

It was such a super fun year for us, though, and we had huge success at that height finishing the year ranked 1st in SA. We were inseparable, and I trusted him with my life. In 2021 when I was ten years old, the year started with such promise in the Open classes. We won many classes at big shows like Easter Festival and President's Cup, and we were Reserve Gauteng Champions and the Spring Fair Champions. It was set to be my best year yet.

Sadly, tragedy struck at the SA Derby when Treat tripped and fell in the warmup arena and came up with sand in his nose, mouth and eyes – I just knew something wasn't right. After withdrawing him, we ran many tests and scans and then learnt the awful news. He had done a deep digital flexor tendon. I was totally shattered.

My vet Patrick Martin never candy-coats what happens with my horses. He told me straight that Treat would never come back from that injury – and he was right. It has been the single hardest thing to accept so far in my riding journey. We finished that year ranked 2nd in SA in the Open classes, even though we didn't do the last four shows of the year. I never got to ride him at that level again, and I have never gotten over the loss.

HQ: You bravely handled Treat's accident; it's a true inspiration. What highlights from your pony rider career can you look back on?

Luca: I think getting to own and ride a Pony like Treat is the highlight of my Pony Rider career. Ribbons and victories aside, he taught me about patience, partnership, putting the horse first, and how to come back from massive disappointment.

Treat is — and will always be — a legend. He is the most incredible pony in every way. He is reliable, kind, honest, brave, careful and a total schoolmaster. He made me the rider I am today.

I am also very proud to have produced Ebb & Flow Blue Ivy, a super talented Pony on her way to greatness, up to PR1m, where she snatched a 2nd place at a class at President's Cup and won the 2022 Open Pony Rider Working Hunter Championship at Horse of the Year. I also rode Roly Starlight for Hailey Gould while she recovered from a traumatic brain injury, and we won Gauteng Champs, Post Derby and were Reserve Spring Fair Champions all in just two short months together. My Pony Rider career was amazing and has taught me so much.

HQ: What challenges have you faced getting to where you are now and how did you overcome them?

Luca: During my days with Treat, he had a lot of niggles and injuries as an older schoolmaster pony. I had to sit out a lot of shows to ensure he got the time off, rest and treatment he needed, which taught me patience and respect for these animals and what they do for us. I never pushed him to do more than what he could, and I learnt to always put the horse first. When he went lame at Derby, it shattered my dreams of finally winning a South African Championship with him. Watching everyone travel to Mistico without us hurt so much. His injury taught me that things don't always go the way you plan, and sometimes it's hard to understand why things happen the way they do.

Photography: Pix by Alex

For a long while, I was without an Open ride in ponies, and my parents couldn't afford to buy me another one. It was frustrating and a real challenge to overcome mentally to keep myself in the game. Various leasing options didn't work out, and that's when we decided to transition onto horses, even though I was only 12.

My parents made huge sacrifices to buy Maddie (Callaho Madeline), which taught me to be so grateful for what we have. I think experiencing all these setbacks and big disappointments so early has taught me so much about bouncing back, which is something I'm good at now.

There are many more losses and disappointments in this sport than victories and celebrations – and being mentally prepared for both is important. I work with a sports psychologist to help me do this, as grit and determination aren't always enough, and sometimes we need some help from the professionals to keep us mentally ready and in the game.

HQ: How was the move from ponies to horses?

Luca: Maddie is 15.2, forward, hot, and built very compact, which made the move off ponies size-wise quite easy for me. Maddie is kind, honest, brave and very careful. Although she is a very sensitive and a super-hot ride, she and I had an easy and immediately successful start to my junior career last year with nine class wins, taking the National Championship at SANESA Level 7 and ending up as Reserve U25 Spring Fair Champions in the 1.10s. With the classes being so huge and so competitive, it's really been exciting for me to be off ponies and onto horses where there is so much more competition. Most of our classes are combined with adults, and I have loved riding alongside some of my idols. It's a whole new world, and I have loved every minute of it. In some ways, it also feels right that I didn't continue in Open Ponies without Treat. It would never have felt the same.

Maddie and I helped Gauteng to Team Gold at the 2022 SA Youth Championships, won the 2-phase and finished 6th in the Championship out of 52 riders. I am very proud of what we have achieved together already – and not without some challenges and setbacks along the way! She is an unconventional ride and has taught me a huge amount in a short time. She has a special place in my heart and in my home.

Photography: Sarah de Villiers

HQ: Tell us a bit about your horses, their personalities, and some of your goals with them for the next few years.

Luca: Callaho Madeleine (Maddie) is a Hanoverian Warmblood mare. She's 11 years old and very sensitive, hot, and extremely speedy. I always say that if she keeps all the poles up, she will win. She has fire in her heart, and she loves to compete. She is the easiest horse at home, according to my groom, but the most challenging to ride. I can't touch her mouth, which is a challenge considering how strong she is. The special ones are always a challenge, and Maddie fits this description well. I want to win some Championships with Maddie this year.

Photography: Sarah de Villiers

Callaho Conny Will (Conny) is a 16.2 Warmblood mare (Con Coriano/Lissabon/Simply) and has just turned seven. She's such a Diva and struts around like she knows how pretty and talented she is! She is playful and has a very elaborate hind end. According to my groom, she is the more difficult horse at home, but she's a dream to ride and super straightforward. Conny is my ride for the big classes one day, and I am not rushing my journey with her. I want to get Conny into the 1.30s this year and to establish us as a force to be reckoned with in the future. In the meantime, I am proud that she placed well at every show we have done so far together, even picking up a 3rd in the 1.20 A2 and a 5th in the championship class at Easter Festival.

Conny is a much colder ride than Maddie. They're opposites in so many ways. I always say that with Maddie, I use my arms, and with Conny, I use my legs, so I get a full-body workout between them both! I am learning so much from riding two horses who are so totally different.

Finally, I've recently been fortunate enough to start my journey with another incredible horse, Callaho Con Cero. Cero (Con Coriano/Calando I/Capitano) is a 16.3hh 10 year old bay gelding sold on the 2017 Callaho Auction and currently jumping successfully in the 1.30/1.35s. He is a super brave horse and careful, and we just clicked instantly. My goal is to jump my first Junior Open class with him this year. To have three incredible Callaho team mates is a dream come true!

Callaho Madeline. Photography: Sarah de Villiers

HQ: What are some of the most important things you have learned from your coaches over the years?

Luca: Tamar Gliksman taught me that I only compete against the course, not against anyone else. It's about how well I can ride that track.

Ronnie Healy taught me it's not only about winning. Loving the animal and the partnership you have with them is more important. If you start there, the results will come.

Jo Van Achtenberg taught me to be calm, even when I feel angry or disappointed in myself because the horse picks up on every emotion you go through, and it doesn't serve you or them to get into a state. All of them have contributed to the rider I am today, and I am very grateful.

HQ: Tell us about your current coach and their coaching style. What do you like most about them?

Luca: Chad Cunningham coaches me, and I mostly have lessons at home, which is amazing. Chad is very technical and has a huge amount of knowledge, which he is always happy to share.

I think what I like most about Chad is how professional he is and how he can explain what I am feeling or where I am struggling in a way that I can understand. Then I can make immediate changes that work for me. I have many 'ah ha' moments each week.

I also appreciate how he sets goals with me and follows up each training session or show with messages or feedback calls about where I went wrong, what I did right, and how we move from there towards my goals. He is calm but firm, and I get the right amount of support from him in a way that really works for my personality type and how I like to be corrected or re-directed.

Kelly Slater is my dressage coach, and she always reminds me that my horses know more than I do and that I learn from them, and that it's not always about just asking them for what I want from them. She has been a huge support to me in many transitions I have made in my career so far and I have learned to love my flatwork lessons because of her.

HQ: Now you've moved up into Junior Open Equitation at such a young age, we notice you're focusing a bit more on this discipline. What do you enjoy most about equitation, and what have you learned from it?

Luca: I am learning to love this discipline, but it's early days, and I do lack the experience of the other riders competing at Open level. I went straight to Open, so there is some foundation learning I'm still getting to grips with. I'm open to learning and loving the ride. I love the challenge of equitation, having to ride elements without stirrups or show my abilities in various ways on the flat. I am a showjumper at heart, but I am learning a lot, and it can only be good for my jumping. So, I persevere and hope to improve throughout the year with Conny, off the back of some good Open Equitation SANESA test scores with Maddie last year.

HQ: What does a typical training week look like for you and your horses?

Luca: A typical no-show week with both horses would be Mondays off, Tuesday lessons with Chad, Wednesdays hack/hill work, Thursdays a gymnastic or another lesson with Chad if needed, and Friday is a lunge or easy hack depending on what I have going on or how they feel. Saturday, lunge or hack and Sunday, I try to do something different like a canter track or ICB water complex. I try to mix things up for their state of mind as much as possible.

Callaho Madeline. Photography: Sarah de Villiers

HQ: Tell us about your sponsors.

Luca: Equi-feeds Equestrian Premium Feed suppliers have sponsored me since I was eight. They picked me up after my 2018 SA Youth Champs success and have been with me ever since. They were the first brand to really believe in me before I even believed in myself. They are such an incredible team to have behind me, and my horses are always kept in perfect condition by Carin, Jen, Shane and the whole team.

I joined the Western Shoppe Team at the beginning of 2022 and became a Brand Ambassador for Pessoa Saddles at the same time. The Pessoa Tom Boy is my saddle of choice. The quality and comfort for horse and rider are absolutely amazing. I am so grateful to be part of this incredible team and feel very proud to represent them each time I head out into the ring. Darryl, Jess, Meg, Robs and the whole Western Shoppe Team are so professional, helpful, and knowledgeable. The store has everything you could need and more.

Callaho Conny Will. Photography: Pix by Alex

HQ: You are often complimented on your sportsmanship. Why do you think sportsmanship is important in an individual sport like showjumping?

Luca: Thank you. That is important to me. I guess I really have learned the hard way that sometimes it's your turn, and sometimes it isn't. On both days, it's important to be humble and professional and put the horse first. Sometimes you will make mistakes, and sometimes they will, but it's usually you. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn, as my mom always says.

I have also been taught that there is enough sun for everyone. By supporting and congratulating others, you don't take anything away from yourself. Your turn will come. This sport is tough, and we don't need to make it harder by being unsupportive or jealous. Everyone gets a turn to shine.

I love it when my friends do well, and I am the first to say 'well done' when they beat me. You will always see me at shows supporting my friends, even when I am not even competing myself; I love the sport and the animal and to see everyone succeed.

HQ: Do you ever get nervous before shows? If you do, do you have any rituals to get focused?

Luca: Nerves are good as they tell me I'm ready, but I try not to let them control me. I do get nervous before shows, and I'm still learning to control those nerves and channel them into something useful.

I use visualisation to see the course in my head and picture jumping every jump well. I can see every distance perfectly and try and tell myself to take one jump at a time and that I am not competing against anyone apart from myself. It's just me against the course.

I get very quiet at shows and get into the zone – I don't like to talk. I use this focus time to calm my nerves and see the job I need to do. I can see the result I want, but I try to stay in the moment – and that is the challenge which I'm still working on.

Callaho Con Cero. Photography: Pix by Alex

HQ: What are your goals for the rest of 2023, and where can we hope to see you next?

Luca: Having missed President's Cup with both horses recovering from freak injuries, my focus now shifts to winning one of the next big titles on the calendar. I have a monkey on my back in that, in the past, I have won many classes and often go into Championship classes as the highest qualifier, but I don't win many title Championships because something doesn't go as planned, and I throw it away.

I also always come second at SA Champs. I've done so three times, so nothing would make me happier and prouder than taking a few important National titles this year to prove to myself and my supporters that I can do it. Mastering the Champs class mentally is my biggest personal goal for 2023.

I really have the most fantastic horses, sponsors, and an incredible support team around me who make all this possible and who I am beyond grateful for - and I am excited to see what we can achieve together this year. I like to say, "Hustle and heart will set you apart", and I plan to give this year everything I have got.

Callaho Madeline. Photography: Sarah de Villiers

WHERE CAN YOU SPOT LUCA NEXT?

Keep an eye out for Luca and his horses at many shows throughout the year. For the time being, he has set his sights on Gauteng Champs, the FEI Children's Classic Tour and the South African Youth Championships throughout June and July.