Tockenham rider Jessica Mendoza, 12, has recently returned from Belgium, where she was part of a Great Britain squad taking part in the Neeroeteren U21 international show jumping competition.

She has been the dominant force in 128cms show jumping classes in Britain for the past couple of years but she is now making the move up to bigger ponies and even horses, showing talent far beyond her years.

She was one of the youngest riders competing in Belgium, running alongside Pony and U21 European medallists.

She claimed second spot in one of the Horse World classes on the 16.2hh bay Lanique, who she has from Margaret Dobby, and picked up a third on her new 148cms pony partner, the Pony European team gold medallist VIP Tixylix.

“It was a great experience – so many nations were there including riders from Norway, Hungary and the Czech Republic,” said dad Paul.

“It was a nice show, equivalent to something you find at Towerlands in this country but not as good as the French competitions.”

This was the second international outing for the Pinewood School pupil, who had won a ‘Children on Horses’ Grand Prix in France with Lanique back in September.

“She has now finished with all her 128cms ponies and they’ve all gone on to new homes,” he added.

“We do still have three 138cms ponies, along with the 148cms and horses. We are now thinking of going to a show in Holland, after Christmas.”