JESSICA MENDOZA recorded her first ever four-star class victory at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Antwerp – and promptly added a second 48 hours later.
Jess, who has just turned 18 and is based at Tockenham near Wootton Bassett, steered Riding Spirit T to victory in the CSI4* 1.50m class with the fastest (of 17 clear rounds) in a time of 55.47 seconds.
She shaved 0.03 seconds off the time of nearest rival, fellow British rider, Tim Gredley riding Unex Omega Star.
“It was my first four-star and I knew I had to go quick to win,” said Jess. “I am thrilled with Spirit. She jumped an amazing round.”
Two days later Jess completed a remarkable weekend when netting a win in the CSI 4* 1.45m Speed Class.
This time riding Ramiro De Belle Vue, she dead-heated with Jaroslaw Skrzycznski with a fast clear in a time of 62.85 seconds.
Among the also-rans in both classes was Team GB’s multi-Olympian Nick Skelton.
Jess, a member of the British Equestrian Federation’s UK Sport-funded World Class Development Programme, will have boosted her chances of European selection this year as the double victory should ensure she climbs from her latest recorded 16th position in the DaciaRetail.co.uk Team GBR Rider Rankings.
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