Jessica Mendoza is a British show jumper who has built an impressive career through talent, dedication, and a deep connection with her horses. Introduced to riding at a young age by her horse-loving parents, she quickly found success in the pony jumpers, earning the title of Leading Pony Rider by British Showjumping at just 14. Since then, she has represented Great Britain on the world stage, including the Rio Olympic qualifiers in Aachen, and has developed top horses like Spirit Tea and In The Air. Known for her ability to bring along young talent, Mendoza takes pride in producing horses rather than buying ready-made champions. Outside the ring, she enjoys painting, a creative passion she has nurtured since school. With ambitious goals for the future, she continues to push herself and her horses toward new heights in the sport.
Can you share how your journey with horses began? What first sparked your interest in riding?
My parents were very involved with horses, so from the time I was born or when I was very little, they put me straight onto my first pony. I started with ponies in England, originally competing in what we call show ponies. It’s somewhat similar to hunters but focuses more on lead line, trotting, and presentation. From there, I moved into the pony jumpers, which was more about flat-out speed on little ponies. That’s where I developed my love for going fast, and I fell in love with the sport. I just continued from there.
Is there a pony that stands out to you from your childhood?
I had one called Get Ready Freddie, and he was absolutely wild.
My mom would release me at one end of the warm-up ring, I would jump the warm-up jump, and my dad would catch me at the other end—he was that crazy. But once we went in the show ring, he was unbeatable. He was so fast.
Which riders did you look up to as a young rider and why? What influenced you to take the sport seriously at just six years old?
I always looked up to British riders because they felt closest to home for me. As I got older, I remember watching Ben Maher and Scott Brash—they were the ones who left the biggest impression on me. Actually, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum was another rider my dad would always watch on TV, especially when she rode Shutterfly.
At the age of 14, you were named Leading Pony Rider by British Showjumping, a significant accomplishment in your career. How did you approach such a prestigious achievement at such a young age, and what did that recognition mean to you at the time?
I stayed in school until I was 18 because my parents were firm about making sure I finished before fully committing to riding. By that point, I knew this was what I wanted to do. There wasn’t really one defining moment when I decided on this career—it was more of a gradual realization, shaped by my success and the enjoyment I got from the sport. I also started to see the business side of it, which made it more than just a hobby.
Having earned this title at such a young age, how did those early experiences shape your approach to the sport and influence your career in the years that followed?
It was rewarding to be recognized for my success at a young age, but I truly believe most of my achievements came from my parents. They picked the right ponies for me, ensured I was training as much as possible, and supported my development. I never had the mindset of thinking I was the best pony rider—I was always just focused on how I could be better.
In 2015, you competed in Aachen as part of the qualification process for the Rio Olympics. What was that experience like?
It was incredible. Everything happened so quickly—the championships, the Olympic run—it wasn’t something I had a big plan for; it just sort of happened. I had an amazing horse, and her results put us in that position.
At the time, I was in my own little world, taking it all in. Of course, I was extremely grateful and knew what an honor it was to be part of that team and on the road to the Olympics. It was a unique situation, but I also felt that my horse truly deserved to be there. It was an amazing opportunity just to be part of her journey.
Is there a particular horse that stands out to you?
Spirit T was one of them. We originally bought her to do juniors on, and it was never the plan for her to become what she did.
It was special to watch her develop. I started with her in the junior divisions, went to the junior championships, and then we kept moving up. Every time we stepped up—whether it was our first three-star or four-star—she just kept delivering. It all happened naturally.
Sometimes, you get a horse with big expectations, but with her, we grew together. In many ways, she did the most for my career.
Were there specific qualities about her that made her such an incredible horse?
She had the biggest heart. She wasn’t your typical championship-looking horse—she was a bit chunky and had her own jumping technique. But she gave everything she had because she wanted to. Our partnership was strong, and that made all the difference.
Can you share the story behind the development of ‘In The Air’? What inspired the ‘Mom’s Club’ and the decision to purchase her? What does that group look like now?
I have an amazing group of clients that I train, and I spend a lot of time with their moms. They’re wonderful people who support their children but also wanted to support me, which I’m extremely grateful for.
They suggested finding a horse or two that could potentially be in the running for a championship or even the Olympics one day. So I went out and found her—along with her brother. Ironically, we bought the brother thinking he’d be the championship horse. But he ended up needing colic surgery. While he was recovering, she stepped up, and things just fell into place.
I think sometimes when you don’t put big expectations on a horse, they end up exceeding them.
Can you think of a moment in your riding career when a horse exceeded expectations unexpectedly?
Most of the horses I’ve had weren’t ready-made five-star Grand Prix horses. I prefer to get them younger or greener and produce them myself.
I find that approach works better for me because if you buy a fully trained five-star horse, there’s a certain expectation for how it should perform. But when I bring one along myself, it’s an exciting journey, and wherever we end up feels like an accomplishment.
When looking for greener horses, what do you prioritize? Are there specific traits that stand out to you?
Trying horses is always tricky because you only see them once or twice. You’re looking for all their positives while trying to rule out any negatives, but some horses reveal their true potential over time.
I always look for heart and a good partnership. Of course, they need to be careful, scopey, and brave, but a trial ride only tells you so much. Results over time give a clearer picture than a one-day trial ever could.
What are your key riding goals for this year, and how are you working towards them? Any particular goals in Wellington?
I’d love to plan for some Nations Cups and possibly a championship with 'In The Air'. Her brother, who had colic surgery, is just now coming back at the FEI level, so I’m excited to see where he goes. It would be great to have them both develop together. If a championship opportunity comes along, I’d love to be a part of it.
What inspired your interest in painting, and how does this creative outlet fit into your life outside of riding?
I studied art in school and really enjoyed it. Over time, I found I could make money from it too. Now, I don’t have as much time for it, but I still try to paint when I can. It’s relaxing, with no pressure—unlike the showjumping world.
It’s also really nice to create things for my house or other people’s homes. A lot of my friends and clients have my artwork on their walls, which is special.
What is the best advice you’ve received in your riding career? What advice would you give to aspiring young riders?
One thing I always stress to my clients is the importance of mindset. It’s easy to come out of the ring and blame the horse—saying it was strong in the corner or did something wrong. But instead, I think riders should focus on what they could have done better.
It’s also important to find positives in every round. You can’t just walk out of the ring and be negative. The horses give us so much, and we’re lucky to do this. It’s about learning from mistakes, not just being the boss.
Triple M Farms operates in Wellington, FL, during the winter and Bedford, NY, during the summer. If you're interested in training or becoming a client, visit: https://triple-m-farms.com/.
