In the hunt seat equitation, Jessica successfully defended her title from the 2006 Ford Youth World.

“To win again proved to everyone and myself that I could do it again two years in a row,” Jessica said.

Riding Royality In Blue, the same as last year, Jessica handled the difficult pattern with aplomb. The pattern called for hand gallops, flying lead changes and sitting trots, and the trot-in for the rail work was performed without irons.

“It was a great pattern,” Jessica said. “Whoever designed it did an amazing job. It was really very huntery, which equitation is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be hunters, and they did a great job letting hunter horses come out and prove themselves.”

“Bentley,” a 9-year-old black gelding, has been with Jessica since he was 3.

“He is an amazing horse,” Jessica said. “He has been more than what I ever thought he would be. He has helped me become a better rider in everything, not only on the flatwork but over the fences.”

Jessica liked how the pattern showed off Bentley’s movement.

“It was nice to be able to let him have the open stride and not have to be in a tight pattern on turns and have him all bundled up,” she said.

As Jessica and Bentley walked out of the John Justin Arena, carrying the gold trophy for equitation, they had to drop their prizes and prepare for the hack.

“I just walked him around and jumped two jumps and went in,” Jessica said. “He’s pretty easy to prepare that way.”

After jumping her two-fence course and working on the rail, Jessica listened to the finalists being listed before her name was called as world champion. After three wins in two days at the sweltering Ford Youth World, Jessica has something on her mind for celebration.

“(I’m) definitely (going to) go to dinner and sit in some air conditioning.”