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Brooke Banks Shares Success With Cavalier Show Jumping at the Winter Equestrian Festival

Written by: Kendall Bierer
Client: James H. Fairclough II and Cavalier Show Jumping
Release Date: 2012-02-03

Wellington, FL – February 3, 2012 – Junior rider Brooke Banks finished her midterms, packed her bags, and joined trainer James Fairclough last week for the final days of the third week of the respected Winter Equestrian Festival. Aboard Royal Z, Banks competed in the $1,500 Children’s Jumper Classic earning the fourth place prize, and gaining confidence in both her horses and her trainer during her first week of the prestigious event.

Banks arrived in Wellington, FL, to well-prepared horses, as well as an organized and calm atmosphere. This was Banks’ first time riding in nearly a month, and the importance of her mounts being in pristine condition was an absolute must. “After my first weekend of WEF with James, I am extremely happy,” Banks noted. “I competed in the Children's Jumpers my first weekend because I have not ridden in about a month, but with his help I was very successful.”

Each of her horses were imported from Europe in 2011, and this is their first time showing at WEF. Banks has decided work in tandem with Fairclough to help make things come together for the horse and rider combinations. “It has been difficult because both of them are green,” Banks described. “After this past weekend though, I feel really confident. We have had a lot of ups and downs, but James has helped to really fix any problems we have had. Thanks to James, we are now jumping better than we ever have!”

During her first few days of WEF, Banks admitted to learning many new things about her mounts, Washa and Royal Z. “The plan for Royal Z was mainly to have a smooth round so that I can confidently move up to the Low Junior Jumpers the next time I come down. Both horses are fairly new to me, but the plan with Washa was to get to know him at a lower height and to also jump around smoothly. By the end of the weekend, both goals were successfully accomplished on each of them.”

Banks feels as though her time with Fairclough has been spent in not only a constructive, but also fun manner. Fairclough’s strategy for lessons with his students always revolves around an objective. It is his patience and understanding that Banks admires most in her trainer.

“James takes the time to make sure that you understand what you are doing and how you are doing it. He has so much knowledge from all of his past experiences, and he knows how to relay the message and make his experiences into lessons. He understands the importance of visual learning, and his examples make everything more productive and less confusing for me. James wants to relate to both the rider and the horse. My experience so far has been fantastic and I look forward to my future classes at WEF,” Banks concluded.

Fairclough has an extensive background of impressive wins on his riding resume, and continues to use his experience as a guide for his riders. In 2008, he was the Cacchione Cup Champion at the IHSA National Championships. He was also an occasional rider on Zealous, owned by Mary Chapot, 2010 WEF Circuit Champion, and 2010 USEF 6 Year Old Young Jumper Horse of the Year, as well as 2011 WEF Circuit Champion for 7 Year Olds, and 2011 USEF 7 Year Old Young Jumper Horse of the Year. In 2011, James rode Starquest, owned by Mary Chapot, to the 2011 Six Year Olds Circuit Championship. He also was the co-rider of Zealous, who was awarded the 2011 WEF Circuit Champion for the Seven and Eight Year Olds, as well as Horse of the Year for the Seven and Eight Year Olds in 2011.

This year, Fairclough is looking forward to training Kira Kerkorian and Brooke Banks at the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival. For more information about Cavalier Show Jumping, please contact Fairclough by calling 862-686-0203 or e-mail cavalierjumping@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Brooke Banks showed her two mounts Washa and Royal Z for the first time at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo Courtesy of: SportFot. This photograph may only be used in relation with this PMG press release.