“I'm different. Like, I recognize that, and I need to make sure that I am as prepared, that I understand, that I've done everything I can, knowing that people are gonna wanna say, 'She doesn't belong.' I wanna prove to them I do.”

British equestrian athlete and showjumper

Jessica Mendoza is a British equestrian athlete and showjumper. She rose into the world’s top 100 riders and, in spring 2015, into the top 10 British showjumpers. She is known for her work in competitive showjumping and for writing regularly for the British monthly magazine PONY. Her public profile is tied to equestrian sport and to her commentary on it.