Julio Mendoza Loor

Olympic Dressage Athlete • FEI Dressage Rider • Pan American Games Gold Medalist

Julio Mendoza Loor is an elite international dressage athlete representing Ecuador, recognized for his technical excellence, expressive riding, and deep partnership with the horse. With over 100 FEI international starts, Julio has built a career defined by consistency, artistry, and historic achievement on the world stage.

Raised on his family’s horse farm near Quito, Ecuador, Julio began riding at a young age and transitioned to dressage by age eleven. His early exposure to classical training principles laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to the sport and to developing horses with correctness, harmony, and longevity.

In 2023, Julio made history by earning individual gold at the Pan American Games, becoming the first dressage rider from Ecuador to win a Pan American title. Riding his longtime partner Jewel’s Goldstrike, this milestone achievement secured Julio an individual qualification for the Olympic Games, where he proudly represented Ecuador on the Olympic dressage stage, marking a defining moment in both his career and his country’s equestrian history.

Beyond the Pan American Games and the Olympics, Julio has competed at World Equestrian Games, CDI3 and CDI4 international competitions, and major North American venues including World Equestrian Center Ocala, delivering standout performances that reflect his precision, composure, and competitive focus.

Based in North Carolina, Julio operates Mendoza Dressage alongside his wife Jessica, where he trains horses and riders with an emphasis on classical fundamentals, thoughtful progression, and rider education. His training philosophy centers on developing confident, expressive horses while guiding riders to ride with clarity, balance, and purpose.

At Show Chic, Julio Mendoza Loor offers riders Olympic-level insight, FEI competition expertise, and a global perspective shaped by international championships and elite sport representation. His journey from grassroots beginnings to Pan American gold and Olympic competition serves as a powerful example of what is possible through dedication, horsemanship, and belief in the process.