Ten years after a #dreambig photo, Paige Goetsch and Callaho Lucetto won the Toyota SA Derby on their first attempt

In 2016, a young Junior rider posted a photo on Facebook of her new four-year-old gazing into the Bob Charter arena at Kyalami. The caption read: “Lucetto looking into his future arena. #dreambig”.

Ten years later, Paige Goetsch and Callaho Lucetto rode the only clear round in that arena to win the 2026 Toyota SA Derby, at their first attempt at the class. Paige chose Lucetto at the Callaho Warmblood Auction on little more than a feeling. She has produced him herself, one grade at a time, all the way to South Africa’s most demanding jumping class.

We spoke to Paige about the horse she calls Looch, the months of preparation behind the win, and the bank that didn’t go quite to plan.

Where it started

HQ: You bought Callaho Lucetto at the 2016 Callaho Auction. What made you choose him back then?
PG: We were not looking at buying a horse and especially not a young horse as I had only just started my junior career properly. I watched the auction videos and as soon as I saw Lucetto jump his first cross in the free-jumping video I knew I wanted him. I spent weeks afterwards trying to convince my parents and ultimately my dad said I could go to try-outs to sit on him. I chose him purely off of a ‘feeling’ – I think it was just meant to be.

HQ: What were your hopes for him at the beginning? Was competing in the big Derby ever part of those plans?
PG: He was obviously the first young horse I had ever worked with, so a lot of the beginning stages was me just figuring out how to ride an inexperienced horse. I just wanted to be the best rider for him that I could be, and to enjoy the journey.

I knew he was a Derby horse from the beginning. I posted a picture in 2016 on Facebook of him looking into the Bob Charter arena with the caption “Lucetto looking into his future arena. #dreambig”. So this win is a very emotional, full circle story for us.

HQ: You have produced him yourself to this level. Looking back, which moments stand out as turning points in your partnership and who has helped you most along the way?
PG: It took a lot of patience and time to produce him. He is a very sensitive horse and has quite a tricky mouth which took me a long time to figure out how to deal with correctly. A turning point for us was definitely when he moved into the 1.35m classes.

We spent a long time in the lower grades trying to get his rideability better, but once he reached that level he kicked into a new gear.

Chad Cunningham and I spent a lot of time working on Lucetto’s flatwork and mind in COVID. Chad helped me figure out a system that worked for him, as well as allowed me the space to feel confident in what my beliefs were about what Looch needed. He was a very important part of our journey. Gonda Betrix also helped me during this time; her knowledge and experience are always valuable.

Chatan Hendriks has been the biggest help with Lucetto. He was also the person I turned to since the day we got Looch. He understands me as a rider, and has taken the time to understand what Looch needs too. Together, we have a good understanding of how to keep Looch happy and at his best. I am so grateful to him.

HQ: For readers who only know him from competitions, what is Lucetto like at home?
PG: Looch is very ADHD. He is always doing something and is a busy bee. He LOVES his outrides, and benefits from a home routine where less is more. He is very cuddly and is always singing a happy tune. I can honestly say he really shows me that he loves me and the feeling is mutual!

Derby prep

HQ: When did you decide that this would be the year to attempt the big Derby?
PG: It was my goal since winning the Mini Derby last year. It was what I wanted to work towards, but I also know that to compete in a class like this takes a lot of preparation, fitness and that your horse has to feel 110% going into it. As much as I wanted to jump it, I made a promise to myself and Looch that I would only give it a go if we felt ready and on top form. I am so happy we got there!

HQ: He also excels in conventional jumping classes. What did you need to add to his preparation for the particular demands of a Derby?
PG: It was actually a combination of adding some things and removing others. We decided to skip a few big shows, including SA Champs and Shongweni, to focus on getting him very fit, strong and healthy earlier on so that his working routine could taper as Derby came closer to ensure he was well-rested enough for the class. We also kept him in the 1.40m classes only for about five months to keep his jumping load lighter.

Above the obvious Derby training, I added very regular physio sessions to his routine to make sure every time he jumped he felt his absolute best both before and after the sessions. In May I started sending him to the Equine Water Treadmill (Equitread SA) to build his strength and fitness without overstraining his body. This helped Looch a lot and I am so glad we started it so long before the show.

HQ: For a rider hoping to compete in a Derby one day, what foundations would you encourage them to establish well before the event?
PG: I would say a big thing is making sure you only attempt it when you are ready. I always say it’s better to jump a class too late than too early, and with Derby I think even more so. Make sure you and your horse are confident going into it, that you trust one another and that you are both fit enough!

The win

HQ: What was your plan going into the arena, and did you have to adapt it anywhere during the round?
PG: Haha! This question makes me smile. Lucetto and I are not the best at the bank. I struggle to time it correctly and he sometimes jumps straight to the bottom of it, so sometimes I struggled to get the two strides to the plank. I trained it countless times and when we walked the course, Ronnie [Healy] told me exactly how to ride it, and said it has to be two strides. I did everything he told me not to do! But Looch still managed to execute it like a pro, even with my bad ride. The only thing I thought afterwards was to forget about it and focus on the next jump!

HQ: What was going through your mind as you approached the final fence?
PG: The final fence to me has always been my favourite. I always dreamed of what it felt like to jump it, knowing ‘you’ve done it’. I knew I was clear cantering to it, but I also knew I could either win the class or lose the class at it. I remained focused and rode the eight strides to it as I had planned to and Looch jumped it perfectly – just as he had done for the 18 jumps before it. He was so fit, excited and in the zone that I did not have to do much to keep him going.

HQ: When you crossed the finish clear, what was your first reaction?
PG: I couldn’t believe it. I was in total shock. I have never felt a feeling like that before. I can really say that as overwhelmed as I was, I was incredibly emotional at what my ‘little boy’ had just achieved – I still am. I am so glad we got to experience it together. He deserves this so much.

HQ: What does winning on a horse you have produced yourself mean to you, and what was it like sharing that moment with your entire team?
PG: It is the best feeling in the world. I know the journey we have been on and how much we have relied on each other every step of the way. We have a deep understanding of one another and a relationship that means more to me than any title ever could. I always knew he would do great things, it was just a matter of if I could get him there. I think doing it together is the biggest gift of all – to experience something as great as this with my best friend and a horse that I believed in and grew up with. I am so unbelievably proud of him.

My team was the most amazing support crew. They screamed for me, celebrated me and have made Looch and me feel so special. My mom was a mess – seeing her so emotional was a very special moment for me. I am so glad we could make her so proud.

HQ: Beyond the result, what made you proudest of Lucetto that day?
PG: He handled the big atmosphere like a pro. He hasn’t had much exposure to ‘big classes’, but it is almost like he knew it was a big deal. He was focused on the arena before I got on like I have never seen before, and after his round he was extremely calm, which he isn’t normally. He was a true sportsman!

But it was the way Looch handled the course that made me the most proud. He did not feel out of his depth or overfaced at any stage of the course, and he jumped the last jump exactly like he jumped the first jump. I did not feel like I needed to help him or encourage him, even towards the end of the class where he typically should have been tired. He showed the perfect combination of endurance, care and bravery throughout the entire course, and most importantly he fought for me! He wanted the clear round as badly as I did.

HQ: Is there anyone else you would like us to thank for you?
PG: My parents have made this all possible. They support my dreams and do everything they can to be there for me. I am so lucky to have them.

I also want to thank Chatan for coaching me for all these years and being my voice of reason and then Evi [Hendriks] and the entire team at Callaho have always made us feel supported. We love making them proud!

Thank you also to George Coutlis for being with me every step of the way and for calming me down before big moments like this!

I must also thank Happy, Lucetto’s long-time groom. He has been there since the beginning and cares for Looch perfectly. We are both so fortunate to have him with us on this journey.

The future

HQ: What is next for the two of you?
PG: Looch is having a well-deserved holiday! The next few months are going to be filled with lots of outrides, light work and cuddles. He won’t jump again until next year, when we start preparing him for the 2027 show season. I think he deserves to kick back and relax!

HQ: And finally, will we see you back in the SA Derby in the future?
PG: Hopefully! Like I said, a lot has to go right to compete in a class like this, but the bug has bitten and it is always a privilege and a goal to be in a class like this.