Dooneens Future Star-Jessica Mendoza
Lannique Barbizon-Jessica Mendoza
Tixy Face on Jumping-Jessica Mendoza

Jessica Mendoza

Many ‘Baileys Riders’ have worked their way up through the ranks of their chosen discipline having started riding at a very young age. Junior show jumper Jessica Mendoza however is still only 11 and is already at the top of her sport, making her one of the youngest riders currently on the English 12’ 2” team - she has already represented her country 7 times.
 
Jessica started riding not long after she could walk, when her parents bought her a Shetland pony named Molly, and it has all gone on from there. At first she tried showing but it wasn’t long before the jumping bug caught her and she now has four ponies to fit in riding and looking after round school. Luckily her Mum Sarah helps her to exercise them! One of the most important things, Jessica says, is that the ponies have fun so they all get hacked out and have the chance to have a gallop as well as working in the school on their balance and rhythm.   'Of course diet is important too and we work with Lorna (one of Baileys Nutritionists) to make sure they get the best diet possible - everyone always comments on how well they look,' Sarah says grinning, 'It must be the Baileys!'
 
The next year she opened her account by winning nearly every Hickstead qualifier, a feat recognized by the BSJA as she was voted the youngest ever Show Jumper of the month. She continued throughout 2008 to claim nearly every major class. Later that year she achieved the win at the Hickstead in the final and returned there to claim her second sucessive National Schools Championship. She also made the move into 138cms and won five Horse Of The Year Show qualifiers on her two 138cms ponies. Creative Dancer and Dooneens Future Star. Her record of victories in the small pony scene will prove hard to emulate in the future.

With that in mind she has begun to test herself against the best  Europeans on 148s.   Her mother has purchased the two time European Gold medal pony Tixylix and they have been supplemented by Razorlite and Ultrador.  The Baileys saddlecloths have been carried to major victories in Europe by Tixylix in Wierden in the Grand Prix and in France and Belgium.
"Travelling the ponies across Europe takes a lot out of them so having the right food in them is essential,"  says Jessica. "We have won two John Whittaker Classics this year and if we can keep the ponies fit and well we will have some fun this year.....fingers crossed!"
 
Jessica hopes to do enough this year to become the youngest ever to ride for Great Britain in the European Finals.

VITAL STATISTICS

AGE

12

BASED

Wooton Bassett, Wiltshire

NUMBER OF PONIES

6

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS

Too many to mention but here are a few....Back to back winner POYS 2007 and 2008 and National Under 10's Golden Bear Championship at the Scope Festival as well as winner of the Smith of Whiteinch Final, Hickstead Schools Final Individual Champion 2007 and 2008, 1st & 2nd places in 128cm Championships at HOYS 2007. Representing England eleven times.

RESULTS THIS SEASON

Winner of 2008 Wierden Grand Prix Holland on Tixylix
Winner of 2008 Barbizon France Children on Horses Grand Prix
Winner of two John Whittaker 148cms Classics in 2008

TOP TIPS!

  • Make sure your ponies arrive at competitions in top condition - they need to be fit and on the right diet!
  • Find your own weaknesses and work on them
  • Don't be over technical about show jumping, it's all about balance and rhythm
  • When you get to a final don't worry - just enjoy every second and give it your best shot - that's all anyone can ask!