WILTSHIRE showjumper Jess Mendoza enjoyed a great start to her 2015 season with some superb placings at the CSI5* competition in Hong Kong last weekend.
Aboard Spirit T, a 14-year-old mare owned by John Roberts and Sarah Mendoza, UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Development Programme rider Mendoza produced some superb riding in the Gucci Gold Cup to qualify for a ten rider jump-off.
With John Whitaker leading the way after producing a quick round of 40.70 seconds, Tockenham’s Mendonza was the last rider to go and kept everyone on the edge of their seats as she aimed to beat Whitaker’s time.
With a great clear round, the talented duo finished just 0.62 seconds off the pace to take runners-up spot, just ahead of world number one Scott Brash on board Hello Annie.
Mendonza, 18, also enjoyed a sixth-placed finish, again with Spirit T, earlier in the week in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy class.
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