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‘A little disappointing, but the mare jumped fantastic’: solid start for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • Jessica Mendoza and the 12-year-old mare In The Air have set the ball rolling for Great Britain on the opening day of the European Showjumping Championships (16-20 July) at A Coruna, Spain.

    Competing as an individual for Great Britain, 29-year-old Jess just fell foul of a tricky flimsy plank at fence 11, approached off a tight turn. But the pair cruised home to finish with a solid four faults in a time of 79.40sec. The faults and time from this opening round are then converted to penalties via a coefficient and that score will be carried through to leg two of these championships on Thursday (17 July).

    In The Air (Air Jordan x Indoctro) is owned by Jess, Pernilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem and Melissa Skowlund AKA The Moms’ Club.

    Reaction from Jessica Mendoza on day one of the European Showjumping Championships

    “I’m very happy,” said the newly engaged Jess, who is now based in the US. “I just made one mistake there at the plank. That’s a little disappointing, but the mare jumped fantastic.

    “She feels great. I mean, she puts her whole effort in every time she jumps. She does gymnastics over the jumps, so every jump is a different feeling. But she puts her heart into every jump.”

    Describing Santiago Varela’s 1.50m track for day one of the European Showjumping Championships, Jess said: “The course rode tough enough but without being too killer so I think it was perfect.”

    Portugal’s Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida and Karonia L were first in the ring and hold the lead at this early stage in the competition.

    • To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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