Jessica Mendoza is one the most exciting young stars in the world of showjumping and is aiming to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Jessica Mendoza is one the most exciting young stars in the world of showjumping and is aiming to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images/file
She overcame serious injury at the age of 10 after falling from her horse to become one of the most talented riders on the equestrian circuit.
She overcame serious injury at the age of 10 after falling from her horse to become one of the most talented riders on the equestrian circuit.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
A young Mendoza with her pony. "I was off for quite a while -- several months actually -- and I still really wanted to go back riding," she recalls. <br />"I went back before I was actually allowed and it showed how much I really wanted to do it."
A young Mendoza with her pony. "I was off for quite a while -- several months actually -- and I still really wanted to go back riding," she recalls.
"I went back before I was actually allowed and it showed how much I really wanted to do it."
Jessica Mendoza
Her fighting spirit has taken her to the summit of her sport. Here she is in action at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Her fighting spirit has taken her to the summit of her sport. Here she is in action at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Paul Harding and British Showjumping
Mendoza played a key role in helping Great Britain qualify for the Olympic Games with some impressive performances in Aachen.
Mendoza played a key role in helping Great Britain qualify for the Olympic Games with some impressive performances in Aachen.
Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
The 19-year-old was the youngest to represent the British team at the European Championships for nearly 40 years.
The 19-year-old was the youngest to represent the British team at the European Championships for nearly 40 years.
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Jessica Mendoza talking to CNN EQ at the London International Horse Show at Olympia in December 2015.
Jessica Mendoza talking to CNN EQ at the London International Horse Show at Olympia in December 2015.
CNN
Mendoza moved away from her home in the UK and set up in Eindhoven to cut down the traveling distances and workload on her horses. The move has worked a treat.
Mendoza moved away from her home in the UK and set up in Eindhoven to cut down the traveling distances and workload on her horses. The move has worked a treat.
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Briton won and incredible 10 events last year.
The Briton won and incredible 10 events last year.
CNN
Her success was recognized at the 2015 FEI Awards where Mendoza was presented with the Longines "Rising Star" award. The presentation was made by Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice-President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, and Hollywood actress Bo Derek.
Her success was recognized at the 2015 FEI Awards where Mendoza was presented with the Longines "Rising Star" award. The presentation was made by Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice-President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, and Hollywood actress Bo Derek.
Jessica Mendoza
Mendoza capped an amazing 2015 in December by accepting the Raymond Brooks-Ward Memorial Trophy from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at The London International Horse Show at Olympia Exhibition Center.
Mendoza capped an amazing 2015 in December by accepting the Raymond Brooks-Ward Memorial Trophy from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at The London International Horse Show at Olympia Exhibition Center.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images