Brooke Banks and Brodeur (Sportfot)

Wellington, Fla. - While it's far from Brooke Banks' maiden season in Wellington, she is jumping her first fences as an amateur rider this week. When the clock struck 12 on New Year's Eve, she shed her junior status and set her sights once again on the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, this time as an amateur. Not letting her new title faze her, however, Banks jumped her own eight-year-old Mecklenburg gelding Brodeur to the championship in Section A of the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunter division.

Banks and Brodeur boasted two third-place performances over fences yesterday and returned today to win both the Under Saddle and the first of two final jumping tests. Trainer Ron Esposito admits that watching the always quiet and regal Brodeur take home the brag-worthy flat win was no surprise.

"I've only met two Mecklenburgs, but they were both quiet and consistent," he said. "I don't have many in my barn, but I plan to find more."

Posting consistent top performances, Lexey Hall collected Reserve Champion aboard her own Lacoste. The pair was first and second over fences yesterday and returned to collect third today, as well as fourth under saddle.

Banks has enjoyed her share of early success with Brodeur, a horse she only acquired a year ago from Patricia Griffith and Heritage Farm. Their 2014 goal of jumping at USEF Junior Hunter Finals was realized at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show this summer. "I rode him in Hunter Finals in Harrisburg, was fourth overall and haven't ridden him since," said Banks.

A freshman at Cornell University, 18-year-old Banks is juggling a Communications course load and collegiate extra curricular activities, in addition to a robust riding schedule, leaving Brodeur's schooling to Esposito. "My trainer kept him [Brodeur] in great shape for me. To come back to WEF and win right away is a great feeling. I'm really excited for the rest of the circuit - I am hoping to get down here more than originally planned," she commented.

Banks is focused on showing consistently at 3'6" in the coming months and looks forward to making more time for Brodeur. "I love that his stride is big, but he goes slow - every distance is always right there. His jump is so smooth, and he comes up nicely with his knees," she said.

While an obvious competitor in the ring, Brodeur is a pocket-pony in the barn, according to Banks. "He has the best personality - in the barn he is so quiet and always sleeping," she concluded with a smile. "He's like a pet that then goes into the ring and jumps around beautifully."