Showjumping: Jessica Mendoza aims for Olympic spot at Rio 2016
Last updated on .From the section Equestrian
Jessica Mendoza is determined to help Great Britain retain their Olympic showjumping title in Rio next year.
Great Britain will defend their Olympic crown in Brazil after securing qualification in Aachen in August.
Mendoza, the highly-rated 19-year-old from Lyneham, Wiltshire moved to Holland last year with her parents in order to improve her showjumping.
"It would be amazing to get there to Rio," Mendoza, who is learning Dutch, told BBC Points West.
"My dad has always been there and trained me, and my mum is always making sure the horses are fit."
Mendoza has already won more than 10 European Grand Prix titles but competing at Rio 2016 remains her ultimate goal.
"I do not think that I will have a horse as good as I have got now for a while," she added.
"Nearly every day of my life I would say I have been riding horses.
"I think I have got a chance of being there."
The teenager was also part of the Gold medal winning team at the Pony European Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Mendoza, who has a total of 10 horses, has impressed British Equestrian Federation Performance Manager Di Lampard.
"She is not only super talented but she is a winner," said Lampard.
"She has moved on years in the last 12 months. The door is open and Jess is certainly chomping at the bit to get there."
