Jessica Mendoza has announced that her former top horse Spirit T (Tornado x Carnaval Drum) has passed away, at the age of 18.
The mare had huge success with Mendoza, competing at the European Championships for seniors in Aachen 2015, the European Championships for juniors in Arezzo 2014 as well as in Vejer de la Frontera in 2013. Spirit T and Mendoza were also the travelling reserves for the British showjumping team that went to the Olympic Games in Rio 2016.
On her official Facebook account, Mendoza writes:
”It breaks my heart to say that my amazing Spirit has passed away this morning.
She was the best thing that ever happened to me, she took me, a 20 year old girl, to the Olympics. Everything I had ever dreamt of. ...we did it together. We traveled the world and competed in classes I couldn’t only dream of and I couldn’t of asked for a better partner in crime.
From the junior Europeans, to 5* Grand Prixs, Nations Cups, Senior Europeans and the Olympics. She was my everything. The best horse and best friend anyone could ask for.
Thank you for everything Spirit T and thank you to everyone along her journey.
I hope that her ‘Spirit’ will be carried in her babies and her legacy will live on.
I love you to the world and back
My Spirit”
Our thoughts go out to Jessica and her team, and all those close to Spirit T.