TOCKENHAM’S Jessica Mendoza says there was no tinge of disappointment, just excitement, after being selected as the travelling reserve rider for Great Britain’s Olympic show jumping team.

Despite being part of the team, alongside Michael Whitaker, Joe Clee and Ben Maher, who secured Britain’s chance to defend their Olympic gold in Rio last August, Mendoza missed out on being named as one of the top four riders.

Nick Skelton and Maher join Michael and John Whitaker in the quarteT, with Mendoza and her horse Spirit T in reserve should anything go wrong.

With that in mind, Mendoza will be preparing for Rio in the same way that she would any other major competition and is excited to have her first taste of the Games.

“I was really happy,” she said on hearing the news that she would be heading to Brazil. "I think we have a really good team and to be part of that is really great.

“I am still happy to be going and be part of the experience so there is no disappointment not to be part of the quartet.

“I am just going to train her as if I am jumping because you never know what is going to happen,”

“I will keep her fit and jumping at home and in a normal routine as if we were preparing for any other event.

“I had a bit of a slower start to the season, I tried to rest my horse at the beginning of the year to get her to the best she can be for now.

“To be going so young is great so I am still happy.

“It’s amazing to think that I will be going to the Olympic Games. It is something I have always wanted to do since I was younger and to be able to go now, I am amazed that I can go and be part of the experience.

“This is something that everybody probably recognises, not just people from the show jumping world, and to be part of Team GB is incredible.”

Mendoza, who is now based in the Netherlands, was back in England for the build-up to the Games with Spirit T needing to be in quarantine for two weeks before travelling before heading to Brazil with the rest of the team.

Great Britain’s team boasts a wealth of experience and Mendoza is confident they can defend their crown in Rio.

“I think we have a really good team and we won gold last time out in London so that gives us good motivation going into this one,” added the 20 year old.

“We have some really great riders and some great horses so I think we should be able to get a medal in Rio.”