JESSICA MENDOZA has taken a fast-track rise through the international showjumping ranks since moving her base from Tockenham near Wootton Bassett to Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Last season was her best ever since switching to horses, having been a member of the British gold medal-winning team at the Pony European Championships in both 2011 and 2012.

She ended the 2014 campaign as the second-best British female rider (after Laura Renwick) in the latest Longines FEI World Rankings.

Only 10 British riders are ahead of the 18-year-old who has also confirmed her place on the Team GB world class development programme.

She has moved up to her highest position of 123rd in the world which puts her ahead of such famous equestrians as William Funnell (191) and Nick Skelton (219) and a similar season would see her breaking into the global top 50.

“We moved to Eindhoven because it’s the centre of showjumping,” said Jess, who finished her A-Levels at St Mary’s Calne last year and is now riding full-time.

“Instead of travelling the horses eight hours to jump in Holland I can be at the same show within two hours.

“I also have great facilities here with a nice indoor and outdoor school and gallops.

“We have kept our yard in Wiltshire. There are broodmares and foals there and we have a great groom that looks after them.”

Jess was a member of the Junior British team which won team gold at the 2014 European Championships where she also picked up an individual bronze with Spirit T, who went clear through all rounds in the team and individual competition.

But she also felt her victory in the Eindhoven Derby on Ramiro de Belle Vue, when she had William Funnel back in second place, was a major highlight of the latest campaign. “It was my first ever Derby and there was a strong field of horses and riders,” said Jess.

“I was one of the only two clears. And it was an important win as it’s a local show now which put me on the map in Eindhoven and alerted people that I am based over here.

“Of course winning the Junior Europeans in Italy was great. It’s important for me to be able to represent my country. I am also really close with my team-mates so it was a nice memory to share.”

The year also saw her riding in and winning her first ever four-star event, the Longines Global Champions Tour in Antwerp in April, again on Spirit T, before going on to snatch another victory at that level, two days later with Ramiro de Belle Vue.

Back in England she won her first five-star event (also on Ramiro) at the London Global Champions Tour which made her, at 18, the youngest ever GCT winner.

There was also a Gucci Paris Masters CSI2* success with Spirit T and she closed the year winning two European Grand Prix on the trot with the mare Nuggets L’Amandour.

Already this year she has made an impact at one of the biggest indoor shows in the world, the first FEI World Cup event in Leipzig.

She had just four faults in a fast time aboard Spirit T to finish ninth in a competition that had just five clear rounds.

“I’m over the moon with her,” said Jess. “She jumped amazing and just touched the third last. The five-star World Cup show was a higher level than I have been competing at. It was a good way to start the year.”

Jess has a string of 12 horses based in Eindhoven.

“Spirit T is my current top horse,” she said. “I also have a new horse called Sam De Bacon who is nine years old and is producing some good results. I hope to be doing some big classes with him this season.

“I have one seven-year-old who I think is very special called I Do Van de Kwakkelhoek who is also coming along very nicely.”

She has, of course, not cut all ties with England.

“I will be travelling back for training squad sessions with the world class development programme four times a year and I would hope to compete in England at the Horse of the Year Show and Olympia.

“I’ll be doing more four- and five-star shows and some Nations Cups. I am also going to Spruce Meadows, Canada in June for six weeks.”

The Rio Olympics in 2016 will possibly come too soon in her development but she said: “I think everyone would like to be a part of an Olympic team. Let’s hope there is a chance for that in the future.

“Of course none of this would have been possible without my brilliant support team and full credit and a big thank you goes to my mum and dad, the team at home including Lisa and Kevin, and my loyal sponsors.”