JESSICA Mendoza will receive a major show jumping award this weekend after a great start to her competitive year.

The 11-year-old from Tockenham is the youngest ever winner of the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) "Show Jumper of the Month" award, more normally given to top senior internationals such as Robert Whitaker and Tim Stockdale.

The voting panel felt that Jessica's outstanding performances with her 128cm ponies at the top junior premier shows throughout January were impressive enough to win her the first award of 2008.

It will which will be presented to her at the Unex Towerlands arena in Essex this weekend.

Jessica, a pupil at Pinewood School, Bourton, was in superb form at the New Year Show at Rowallan in Scotland and Hand Equestrian Centre in Somerset, dominating the 128cms classes.

She then won a Smiths of Whiteinch qualifier for the 2008 BSJA Scope Festival at Arena UK, riding Dooneens Future Star and headed both the Winter 128cms qualifiers on offer at this Premier date.

Her fine form has continued into February and she has now qualified for both the 128cms and 138cms Championship at this July's Hickstead staged Royal International Horse Show.