Chapter 57 – Talking About the Big E

Jack took one more look at his grandmother who gave him a nod.

"To jump at the Charity Classic is ten thousand a jumper." Jack said. "It is one of the ways that they raise money. The other is the banquet Saturday night since you have to buy a ticket to it separate from the jumping. A lot of people come and spend the weekend, so there is also the camping fee, but those camping usually buy an inclusive package that includes the banquet, but not the jumping. Since we are local, we don't do that. I mean we could, but we don't get into the high life style that is required. Those that camp have high end motor homes and there is life style judging that includes dressing up and several outfit changes. We go in for the jumping, then we come home, change and head back for the banquet at seven thirty or so. For the afternoon of jumping, we dress nice, but more casual. I have always wore riding gear since I have been old enough. Grandpa will wear a polo with a logo on it since he will be on the field with me."

"So if I want to be down on the field?" Nathan asked.

"I will make sure that you have a polo." Gran said. "You can wear it with riding pants or nice jeans, your choice."

"Thank you." Nathan said.

"So you are paying a lot to jump and it doesn't even count." Elizabeth said.

"Yes and no." Jack said. "We have always jumped in the Classic. They do good. It is a charity that helps support retired race and police horses. They are also making a donation to the Brain Injury Association of New York in honor of Laura this year."

"Besides that." Gran said. "It is a good way to get our name out there and the kids have always loved jumping there. We all usually wear logo gear for the farm or at least have the light jackets with us. Sometimes it is really hot and we end up not needing them, but it is nice to have it with."

"It was the only time that Laura and I competed directly against each other." Jack said.

"How did you do in the past?" Nathan asked.

"My first year." Jack said. "Now remember, it was basically a speed class, so straight time fewest faults placing. I finished fifth. I was fourteen. Laura got second. My second year when I was fifteen I got second and Laura got first. She only beat me by just over half a second."

"Yeah and you had a full second and half on third." Gran said with a smile.

"When I was sixteen." Jack said. "I won by two seconds. I didn't jump last year, so we will see what happens this year."

"So you have placed each time you have entered." Elizabeth said.

"Yes, me personally." Jack said.

"More then that." Gran said. "Coal Creek currently has the most ribbons of any farm or jumping club that have entered the Classic. There were years that we had up to five jumpers. We have always placed in the ribbons."

"How many places get ribbons?" Elizabeth asked.

"Usually tenth." Jack said. "A few years the Classic went to twelve places. Although in some of the younger classes with little kids they will go to fifteenth to encourage the kids. They have also been known to give the little kids a participation ribbon. They are also more likely to get a clear round ribbon or a course completion ribbon. It is a way to encourage younger riders."

"I think that is sort of a good idea." Nathan said. "I mean as long as they know that it doesn't mean that they shouldn't work harder."

"I get what you are saying." Jack said. "But I haven't ever meet a kid who was happy with just a basic ribbon when the winner and other top place getters get nice rosette ribbons. Besides, only the top five or so are brought back into the ring to get their ribbons, the rest are given their ribbon in the back before they leave."

"Good point." Nathan said.

"So in all the years that you guys have jumped at the Classic you have always gotten ribbons?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Jack said. "The lowest anyone of the family has ever places in the classic is ninth. Even the year we had five jumpers. They all placed."

"What year was that?" Elizabeth asked.

"The Classic in its current format has only been around for about twelve years." Jack said. "Before that, it was part of a different competition that was the weekend the races opened. The farm competed in that as well, but we don't count it as part of the streak."

"So the Classic had been a competition since Jack has been about six." Nathan said.

"Yes." Jack said. "Like I said we have always been a part of it. I don't even really remember when we had five riders. It has been awhile."

"JP and Melissa were about twelve." Gran said. "Yeah, because it was the only time Tim jumped. It was Laura's second year. It was also Emily's last year. We also had two friends of Laura's jump for us that year."

"Yep, now I remember." Jack said. "Tim got seventh, he was not happy and part of the reason that he didn't continue. Laura got third that year. Emily won, so I don't know why she quit riding. I don't remember what the other two girls got, but I know that they got ribbons because the girls we all happy they had ribbons to take home."

"One of the girls got fifth and the other got sixth." Gran said. "They were happy, but I think they got more interested in boys and cheerleading then jumping after that. I don't even know what happened to them. It is sad that we lost contact with so many of Laura's friends after she was injured. I am just glad that we have been blessed to be able to be a part of the Classic. Like I said, we do it because they do good work and we don't mind supporting a worthy charity."

"That is sad." Elizabeth said. "But it was nice of you to let her friends jump when it cost so much money."

"The money was not a problem." Gran said. "It was nice that the kids could do something together. All of them getting ribbons was a bonus. I think most of the Classic ribbons are in the trophy room."

"You have yet to show me this trophy room." Elizabeth said.

"Rooms." Nathan said. "It is more then one room, as I realized when Jack showed me around the arena."

Elizabeth looked between Jack and Nathan. Nathan nodded and Jack just gave her a dimpled grin. She shook her head. She knew that Nathan was telling the truth.

"And I am sure that is not all of them." Gran said. "I know what your are talking about and I think that has very few of the jockey awards since they are mostly over at the track in the lounge there. I also know that there are several that are packed away."

"Why are they packed away?" Elizabeth asked.

"We ran out of room." Gran said. "We packed them all up when we redid the stables about five years ago and then when some of the hands were unpacking and placing them, they packed most of the lower place and older ones away."

"Yeah." Jack said. "I don't think that they put up anything lower then fourth. Even Laura's lower ribbons, not that there were many are in her room. I think most of the equitation ribbons are packed, Laura's are in her room. I know a lot of the fox hunt ribbons are packed. I don't mind. I would rather look at a lot of blue, red and yellow ribbons."

"If you had the space." Elizabeth said. "Would you display all of them?"

"I doubt it." Gran said. "We would have to rotate them at some point. It only makes sense to pack the older and lower ones away. I have thought about putting them in books based on the event and year, but I just never have the time."

Elizabeth looked at Jack and he could read the excitement in her eyes. Jack knew if given the opportunity, that Elizabeth would do that.

"How many ribbons are we talking about?" Nathan asked.

"Not on display?" Gran said. "Hundreds, maybe thousands. You have to remember, even Charlotte and her brothers jumped. They did equitation, hunter jumper, cross country, and dressage. They boys did fox hunts and that is on top of sixty-five plus years of working as full-time trainers for race horses. There are other awards as well that the farm won years ago at the local county fair for various items."

"Wow." Elizabeth said. "I guess I didn't realize that it went that far back."

"Horses is the only thing that James' family has ever known." Gran said. "My family had horses growing up, but it was different. We lived on a farm and the horses were needed for work. I think that is why my brother is into the draft horses. We had lots of those growing up."

"Makes sense." Nathan said. "Jack was telling us about the draft horses. I would love to see them."

"They have a show in West Springfield, Massachusetts the end of September." Gran said. "Depending on how things are around here, James and I were talking about going. I know that he reserved a bunch of rooms in case we get to go."

"I will have to check my school schedule when I know more." Jack said. "I would love to go. It sounds like fun. I have been wanting to see them perform."

"Do you think I could go as well?" Elizabeth asked.

"You three are more then welcome to come." Gran said. "When you know more about your schedules, just let me know."

"Thank you." Nathan said. "If you give me the dates, I will block it off now."

"Last weekend of September." Gran said. "We would head over early Friday and stay until Sunday night or Monday morning."

"Well if the offer is there." Nathan said. "Count me in."

"I will let James know." Gran said. "He blocked a section of rooms at a local hotel for everyone. But Martin was talking about getting some motor home rentals. Most of their crew will camp at the grounds. The Big E as it is called is actually a seventeen day fair. There is the Zone 1 Equestrian show. The 4H horse show as well as many other fair activities and that is on top of the draft horse show and pulling contest."

"I just pulled up their website." Elizabeth said. "It looks like a ton of fun. If it works, I would love to go. I have never been to a horse show and I want to take in as much as I can. I have always loved horses, but no one else in my family liked them. I mean I was able to talk my best friend Rosie into going on a couple trail rides with me, but that was about it. I would love to learn more."

"So I guess count us in." Jack said. "I will block it off. As soon as we know our school schedule will let you know more. If possible we might even go for more then just the weekend. Well, I guess you are going to get your wish as we do a lot with horses."

Gran looked over at Jack and he just grinned at her. She shook her head, but then smiled at Elizabeth and gave her a loving looking. Elizabeth nodded back.

"I will let James know." Gran said. "I have to talk to Martin as well. He was talking about investing in at least a couple luxury campers because they go to so many shows. Between the trailers and the sleeper cabins in the tractors it would be nice to not have to get as many hotel rooms if any. If they do the campers right, they could put a couple of tents up as well. He said that was what a lot of people do."

"Either way." Jack said. "Let us know. If it works we all would like to go. I don't know about Nathan or Elizabeth, but I would be fine sharing."

"I don't mind sharing." Nathan said. "My only concern would be security if things haven't calmed down."

"I thought about that." Gran said. "But worse come to worse, if Martin as the campers, I would insist that you three stay there since it would be within the fair grounds and you would be around other people at all times. I mean Martin is family and his crew is a very protective group. I mean not only of the horses, but some of the grooms take their whole families, little kids and all, to the shows. It is a real family atmosphere. I also think that I will have to talk to Martin about getting you badges to get into the stables since it has its own security at nights. During the day, the stables are open for people to come through and see the horses, but I know that they have security at night."

"Okay." Nathan said. "That does make me feel better. If they feel comfortable enough to have small children there, then I will be okay. Please do that. It would be a lot better if we could stay over there then."

"I also wouldn't mind helping if that meant getting to go and stay with them." Elizabeth said.

"I will keep that in mind." Gran said. "Let's get through the this week first and then we will deal with making plans for the Big E. I know that you will all need to check school schedules as well."

"I know for a fact that I don't have Friday afternoon classes." Elizabeth said.

"I am not sure." Jack said. "I don't remember what my class schedule was."

"We have time." Nathan said.

"Lets finish getting things ready for supper." Gran said. "I am sure that Thomas will want to eat shortly after he gets here. If I know him, he probably skipped lunch so he could leave early."

"Probably." Jack said.

"Go get the grill going." Gran said. "Medium heat, we can always turn it up."

Jack and Nathan went out to get the grill going. Nathan wanted to see how to work it, so he could help. He had used a grill before, but the one at the house was larger and looked more complicated then anything that he had used before. Gran and Elizabeth got the corn on the cob ready. When the boys came back in, they helped slice tomatoes and onions. They then covered them and set the plates in the fridge.

"Are we going to eat outside?" Jack asked.

"If you think it we will all fit around the table." Gran said.

"No." Jack said. "But Nathan and I could move the other table over and then there would be enough room."

"Okay." Gran said.

Jack and Nathan went to move the other table and chairs. While they were doing that, Gran sent a text to James to let them know that Thomas was going to be there soon and that they had supper almost ready to put on the grill. Gran received a text back that they would finish up and head to the house. By the time that Gran got the call that the helicopter had crossed into Saratoga air space, they had everything ready to put on the grill while Thomas and Doug got everything settled. Gran knew it would only take about fifteen minutes to finish up supper once they put everything on the grill. The rest just needed to be set out on the table. They heard the helicopter, just as James, Charlotte and Tommy were heading to the house. So instead of heading inside, they headed to meet the helicopter. Jack and Nathan came outside to meet the helicopter. Elizabeth chose to stay inside for the time being so Gran stayed with her.