EVENTING: Mendoza sets ambitious target (From This Is Wiltshire)

SHOWJUMPING starlet Jessica Mendoza is targeting a top-20 ranking in her first year of full senior competition.

The St Mary’s Calne pupil is widely tipped to become a big name in the sport and, at the tender age of 16, is already making waves across the equestrian world.

In 2013 Mendoza will move away from ponies for the first time but, with a wealth of experience already behind her, she is confident she will make the jump seamlessly - so much show that she has her sights on settling in with the very best in the world over the next 12 months.

“I don’t mind (the difference), I found it fine going between ponies and horses,” she told www.rememberthatname.co.uk.

“The hard bit is because the shows are separate but actually going between each and riding is fine.

“I’ve moved gradually onto horses jumping bigger fences and more technical courses so it’s definitely helped to start early.

“Looking ahead, I want to get on the Junior European team and get abroad a lot more so hopefully I’ll do well out there. I’d love to try and get into the Top 20 so I can compete at Olympia in the senior classes and Horse of the Year show.”