BY ELIZABETH UPCHURCH
From a six-year partnership with his horse to a lifelong trust in his La Mundial boots, Mendoza’s World Cup ride is a reflection of consistency, care, and long-term relationships.
When Piper Klemm caught up with Julio Mendoza after his World Cup performance, he was still beaming about his Thursday night performance. The result of years of work, trust, and relationships built over time.
“It’s been something unreal,” Mendoza said, reflecting on the experience. “It’s impossible to find the words to express how happy I am representing Ecuador, representing my sponsors, and how proud I am of my horse.”
That moment in the spotlight didn’t come from overnight success. Mendoza has been patient in the partnership and belief that his horse comes first.
A Partnership Six Years in the Making
Mendoza has been partnered with his horse, Jewel’s Goldstrike or “Goldie”, for six years. What began as an opportunity, thanks to the support of a friend and sponsor, has evolved into a deeply personal connection. “It’s a lifetime horse,” he said. “I adore him. I love him. I respect him.”
Like many top horses, Goldie had his moments early on—playful, energetic, and not always focused on the job at hand. But for Mendoza, those phases were just part of the process. He didn’t want to rush things or correct too quickly. Instead, he leaned into the time it takes to truly develop a horse. Over the years, that patience has paid off in trust and stellar performances.
“We became best friends,” he said.
Their connection is visible in the ring. They have an ease and understanding that goes beyond technical execution.
Letting the Moment Happen
The electric World Cup environment can be unpredictable. Mendoza entered the arena expecting a quiet start. Instead, the crowd erupted into applause. For a less experienced partnership, that moment could easily become a distraction. But Goldie responded in his own way.
“He’s a crowd pleaser,” Mendoza said. “When people start clapping, he gets excited, like, ‘Okay, let’s go do this.’”
Mendoza allowed the energy to become part of the ride. The goal remained simple: produce a clean test, from start to finish. And in his eyes, that’s exactly what they delivered—“a lot of highlights,” shaped by years of understanding between horse and rider.
A Philosophy Rooted in Time
At the heart of Mendoza’s approach is a belief that success isn’t defined by shortcuts. “No matter the horse that you ride, if you love your horse, respect your horse, and take your time, anything is possible.”
That mindset extends beyond the horse itself. It shapes how he approaches every part of his preparation, including the details that support him in the ring. Just as Mendoza has built a long-term partnership with his horse, he’s also relied on consistency in the equipment he uses—most notably, his La Mundial boots.
His connection to his boot brand dates back decades, to when he first purchased a pair at just 16 years old. Today, that relationship continues at the highest level of the sport. “They’ve been unbelievable,” he said. “Very soft, and when you walk in the ring, they’re ready to go.”
It’s not just about appearance, though Klemm noted how strikingly shiny they looked under the lights. It’s about how they feel. The softness, the fit, the reliability. The small details that allow a rider to focus entirely on the horse beneath them. With minimal effort, Mendoza explained, the boots can be cleaned and brought back to a competition-ready shine, another example of how thoughtful design supports consistency in performance.
A World Cup performance can look like a single score. But for Julio Mendoza, it’s the product of six years with one horse, of choosing patience over urgency, and of building trust not just in the partnership, but in every element that supports it.
From the horse he calls his best friend to the boots he’s relied on for decades, Mendoza’s approach is rooted in longevity. At the highest level of the sport, success isn’t defined by what happens in the ring alone. It’s shaped by everything that comes before it, and everything that endures long after.
