WILTSHIRE’S Jessica Mendoza has been selected for the British showjumping squad for the upcoming FEI European Championships, which take play in Aachen, Germany from August 19-23.

The event is the last major championship before next year’s Olympic Games and Great Britain’s jumpers will be looking to cement their place for Rio 2016.

Jessica, who will ride British-bred Spirit T at the championships, is originally from Tockenham, but moved to Eindhoven in The Netherlands in order to be closer to the top European competitions.

Speaking about the selection announcement, Jessica said: “It’s amazing, but Spirit’s jumped absolutely brilliantly this summer and deserves it. It was never in my plan at the beginning of the year but she kind of made it the plan as she just kept getting better and better each time we stepped up a level.

“We have come up from national to international competition together and then from CSI 2* to CSIO 5* and as a result I feel I know her inside out; we trust each other totally.

“I’m looking forward to competing with the rest of the team. We jumped together in Rotterdam where we not only won, but also really got on as a team which gives me great confidence.

“I’ll also have my parents with me and I just can’t thank them enough for the support they have always given me. Dad coaches me and mum consistently helps out with the horses; they have always believed in me and I’m pleased that they are going to be alongside me in Aachen and able to enjoy it.”

Joining Jessica on the British team are Joe Clee riding Utamaro d’Ecaussines, Ben Maher MBE on Diva II and Michael Whitaker on Cassionato.

All four selected athletes will contest the team competition, with the top 25 horse-rider combinations then invited to contest the Grand Prix from which the individual meals are decided.

Three Olympic qualifying places will be awarded at the championships, going to the three highest-placed nations after the team final, who have not already achieved qualification.

The Netherlands, France, Germany and Sweden are the only teams competing in Aachen to have already qualified for Rio 2016.

Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard said: “We are all entirely focussed on the job we have ahead of us. Qualifying for Rio is at the forefront of our minds and we are absolutely committed to giving Great Britain the chance to defend the Team Gold which was won at London 2012.

“We move forward to Aachen as a strong united team and are looking forward to the championship and all it brings.”