WILTSHIRE rider Jessica Mendoza was crowned this year’s Dodson & Horrell and the World Class Programme U23 British champion at the London International Horse Show at Olympia after posting a perfect double clear with horse Wan Architect.

From the 24 strong field, three combinations went clear after a testing first round which saw 10 combinations progress through to the jump-off.

Tockenham's Mendoza and Wan Architect, who had topped the first round, showed no signs of nerves in the final.

Flying over the jumps, the pair cleared the final fence in a very quick 34.42 seconds to take the win as Jack Whitaker and Valentin R claimed second and Yazmin Davis and Zilverster II took third.

2016 Team GB showjumping reserve Mendoza, named on the Podium Potential squad, said: “It feels amazing. Everything has been a bit of rush but I am really happy.

“It was a hard course and it took a lot of jumping. The ones who were on four faults put in some very fast rounds in the jump-off and so I knew I had to be quick from the start.

“My horse had a bit more experience going into the ring but I’ve never jumped this exact course before so I am really happy with how my horse jumped.”

Performance Manager Di Lampard added: “She (Mendoza) won it really well and already at this level Jess has plenty of experience above her fellow riders.

"She has been competing at the highest level for two years and she went to the European Championships in 2015 and was part of the squad that went to Rio [Olympic Games] and her journey has been helped by competing in a competition like this and so this is hugely beneficial for our young riders.”