RIDER PROFILES

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!'

 

With her top pony, Get Ready Freddie, she has been flying this year at Pony of the Year Show (POYS), held at Unex Towerlands, but Jessica says all her ponies are important to her and she tries to do her best for them all.  She also tells us she couldn't do without her Mum's help as groom at all the events and while she loves winning she also hates getting up in the morning!!   If she could choose any horse in in the world then the late, great steeplechaser, Desert Orchid would be top of her list - 'he was so brave', states Jessica. 

 

Although she is still young Jessica likes to look ahead and would love to ride at the Olympics in the future.  However nobody could ask for more from her or her ponies this year as they have won the 128cm Championships at Pony of the Year and Horse of the Year shows as well as winning at the Longines Royal International Horse Show and claimed leading the leading rider award at POYS too.  ' This year has been so brilliant and all the ponies have done well, not just one or two  - every one of my 4 ponies has won a national title.'