TOCKENHAM-based show jumper Jessica Mendoza just missed out on a medal in the King George V Gold Cup at the weekend.

The 19-year-old finished fourth with Spirit T back on home turf at the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead on Sunday.

Mendoza finished as the top British rider in her first-ever King George and was the youngest of the 42 competitors in this major international class.

She narrowly missed outright victory when she had the last jump down in the fastest time of the day - three tenths of a second quicker than Beezie Madden, in what was a back-to-back King George victory for the American rider.

“Spirit is naturally quick, so I thought I would use it to my advantage,” said Mendoza. “She has been jumping amazingly – I wish I could have another one like her.”