Chapter 25 – Jumping Practice
Elizabeth settled in to sit at the counter while she watched Gran do some baking.
"So did you have fun in town?" Gran asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "The farmer's market was great. Like I said, I love fresh salads and veggies in the summer. Don't get me wrong, I also like to eat, but there is something about fresh veggies, especially in the summer."
"Oh, I understand." Gran said. "I used to have a couple of greenhouses just for that reason. We also used to have a very large garden, but it got to be too much. I normally get stuff from the neighbors at this point."
"Sounds wonderful." Elizabeth said. "I would love to live somewhere where I can have a large garden in the summer. I know that it would be work, but it would be so worth it."
"So what are you going to college for?" Gran asked. "JP mentioned that you would be a student at Columbia with him in the fall."
"I want to be an elementary teacher." Elizabeth said. "I have always wanted to be a teacher and Columbia was a dream of mine. Now with everything going on, I don't know."
"Don't let some poor excuse for a boy ruin things for you." Gran said. "I am sure that JP, Doug and Lee will do everything that they can to help you."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Jack has said as much. I am just worried."
"I understand that." Gran said. "But you fought back, you didn't let him get away with it like everyone else did. That makes you stronger than you think."
"I guess you're right." Elizabeth said. "I just don't feel very strong at the moment."
"Probably not." Gran said. "That will come. Just know you did the right thing. JP can't stand spoiled brats who think that they can do whatever they want just because they come from money."
Elizabeth just looked at Gran.
"Don't let the surroundings fool you." Gran said. "JP works very hard with the horses and does very well with them. It was a shame he walked away from competition, but I understand. I don't like it, but I understand. Tommy is spoiled, and JP could be that way as well, but he understands that all of this takes work. James has rules when it comes to the horses and JP learned that early. Tommy never learned which is why he doesn't have his own horses. If he showed some responsibility, he might have what JP has. I doubt that JP has told you much of what he has accomplished, but trust me when I say that he has worked for what he has. My James works hard and we deserve to have nice things. We didn't always have this. We also share a lot of our wealth with others."
"Oh, I believe you." Elizabeth said. "My little sister is pretty spoiled. We don't have near the wealth that you do, but for some reason she ended up super spoiled."
"How much younger is she then you?" Gran asked.
"She just turned sixteen a few weeks ago." Elizabeth said. "I turned eighteen in January. So she is just over two years younger. All though she is very immature at sixteen."
"She will grow up." Gran said.
"Maybe." Elizabeth said. "Dad lets her get away with everything, despite having a list of rules a mile long. She snuck out one night and Dad blamed me for not stopping her."
"You are not her parent." Gran said. "It wasn't your job to watch her. Your father was being unfair."
"Pretty much what I said." Elizabeth said.
"Enough about that." Gran said. "Do you like to cook and bake?"
"I am afraid I am not very good in the kitchen." Elizabeth said. "My mother just never had the patience to teach me. She tried, but would get frustrated when I didn't do things right away."
"Well." Gran said. "We can't have that now can we. JP likes to eat, so I suggest that you come over here closer and I will teach you. I promise I won't get mad or frustrated. All I ask is that if you don't understand that you ask questions."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But I am warning you I am not very good."
"Okay." Gran said. "Consider me warned. I normally spend most of Saturday baking if we don't have an event. The ranch hands have their own cook, but seem to prefer my baking. I don't mind making cookies and bars for them to have during the week. They work hard for us."
"Sounds like fun." Elizabeth said. "Maybe you can share a few stories about Jack with me. He told me a little about him jumping, but he hasn't said much about himself."
"I think I can do that." Gran said. "Granted, I expect you will need to share a few stories of growing up as well."
"I think I can handle that." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth grabbed the apron that Gran offered her, then went to wash her hands. It looked like Gran was making some kind of cookies. Elizabeth was glad that pretty much everyone had been so nice and welcoming. She still had her doubts about Charlotte, but she was going to try.
Jack pulled up to the arena and looked around. It didn't appear that there was anyone else around. Jack looked at Nathan and shrugged his shoulders.
"Normally it is pretty busy around here." Jack said. "I don't like that there are no people around."
"Want me to call security?" Nathan asked.
"No." Jack said. "I mean I see ranch hands and stuff, but there are normally owners and others around."
"Okay." Nathan said. "Let's head in, find the trainer and see what is going on."
"Okay." Jack said. "Do you want a safety vest to jump? I am going to grab one."
"Please." Nathan said. "If you have one that fits me. I am glad that you are wearing one."
"It may not be perfect." Jack said. "But it should work. Grandpa requires it. Besides, most of us started in cross country or hunter and it was required for that."
Jack led Nathan into the stable/arena area. They were at the smaller indoor arena. There were a few jumps set up and a trainer was working with a rider. Jack showed Nathan around. There was the actual stables, the tack room and the changing room for the jockeys and riders. Jack also talked about a few other areas in the arena, but didn't show him everything including the track. When they got to the changing room, Nathan looked around and couldn't believe how nice everything was. Jack opened a cabinet and pulled out a vest and handed it to Nathan. He then went over and opened a smaller cabinet. Jack quickly pulled out a skin tight shirt and safety vest. Jack quickly changed his shirt. He also grabbed his helmet. While Jack was changing, Nathan tucked his jeans into his boots and pulled on the safety vest. He also had his helmet.
"Ready?" Jack asked.
"Yep." Nathan said.
"While Maria finishes up with her student." Jack said. "Let's get the horses saddled. Also let's check them over."
"Lead the way." Nathan said.
Jack led Nathan over to where the horses were stabled. He went to Honey first. He greeted her and she nickered in response to him. It didn't take more than a minute for Bandit to stick his head out of his stall and nicker at Jack.
"Oh you want some attention too, boy." Jack said to the horse going over to him.
Nathan saw the way that the horses responded to Jack. In short order they had both checked each horse. Nathan brushed and saddled Honey while Jack did Bandit. Nathan admired the chestnut mare with a short mane as he brushed her out. Nathan looked at Bandit. It appeared that he was also a chestnut, but with a little bit darker coloring and some black showing through. Bandit also had a large white blaze down his muzzle. Nathan thought both horses were impressive.
"Wow she is big." Nathan said.
"About sixteen and half hands." Jack said. "She is amazing to ride though. Normally she jumps over the jumps so easily. Both are thoroughbreds. I also have a Dutch warmblood, but I have never personally jumped her. She is only five."
"How old is Honey?" Nathan asked.
"Nine." Jack said.
"I am impressed." Nathan said. "What about him?"
"Bandit here." Jack said. "He is just over sixteen hands tall. He is twelve years old. I refused to sell him when I quit jumping. I am sure that I could have made a lot of money, but I love the guy too much. What I really want to do is breed him. It was suggested I geld him if I wanted to continue to compete. International competition prefers it, although it is not required, yet. I don't get it. He is a gentle horse and I think it is unnecessary."
"I agree." Nathan said. "I mean I can see why people do it, but it is not required."
"I know." Jack said. "Don't get me started."
"I am ready." Nathan said.
"Let's warm them outside." Jack said. "Maria should almost be done. I want to see them move without having to worry about jumps. Will you take Honey?"
"Sure." Nathan said. "What do you want me to look for?"
"Anything that feels off." Jack said. "She has always been so sure-footed. I don't know what to think."
"Okay." Nathan said.
Jack and Nathan lead the horses outside. Each mounted up and took a little bit to get to know the horse they were riding. Jack quickly fell back into a routine with Bandit. He couldn't see anything wrong with him. Jack wondered what the kid had done, then realized it was probably the crop and just the kid being aggressive. Jack stopped along a fence and watched Nathan on Honey.
"Anything?" Jack asked as Nathan came over to him.
"No." Nathan said. "Very smooth gait. Little headstrong. She wants her way."
"Yeah." Jack said. "But she is smart. That is what makes her so good."
"Want to ride her and see if I missed something?" Nathan asked.
"Why not." Jack said. "Take Bandit for a spin."
Jack turned to the horse and petted his muzzle.
"Now." Jack said to the horse. "You behave. Nathan is a friend. He won't hurt you."
As if understanding, Bandit nickered in response. They switched horses and were just finishing up when Marco came out to greet them.
"Hey Marco." Jack called.
"I heard you arrived." Marco said.
"So who was working with this Ryan?" Jack asked Marco.
"I guess I was." Marco said.
"You guess?" Jack asked.
"He didn't take instruction well." Marco said.
"That probably explains a lot." Nathan quipped.
"I am sorry, who are you?" Marco asked.
"Sorry." Jack said. "Nathan, this is Marco Gonzalez. Marco, this is my friend Nathan Grant. He decided to join us up here. He is well versed with horses so I thought an extra set of eyes wouldn't hurt."
"Good to meet you, Sir." Nathan said.
"Please call me Marco." Marco said.
"You can call me Nathan." Nathan said. "You were saying that this kid didn't take instruction well. Can you elaborate?"
"He was originally working with another trainer, Andy." Marco said. "But after a few sessions, Andy refused to work with him anymore. They kid refused to listen to what Andy was trying to tell him. He called Andy a washed-up has been. He also called Andy a derogatory name. I don't think he knows that I heard. I don't want anyone to get into trouble. Especially after all JP and his family had done to help me."
"You are not in trouble, Marco." Jack said. "But I have a feeling this kid is going to be. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior and you know that my grandfather doesn't either."
"I understand that." Marco said. "But this kid, well … (sigh) …."
"What?" Jack asked. "What did he do? Why are you afraid of him?"
"Not him." Marco said. "His family. He told Andy if he causes trouble that he will make sure that he is deported."
"I don't see how." Jack said. "Andy had a green card. I know that Grandpa John personally helped him get it after he fled East Germany with his family back in the eighties. You have nothing to worry about either, you are here legally. I will deal with this kid."
"So what was this kid doing when Bandit here threw him?" Nathan asked.
"He had switched to Bandit because he said Honey was getting lazy." Marco said. "Your grandfather okayed it. Anyway, Ryan wanted to jump a four foot oxer, but he had been pulling on Bandit's bit and digging his heels into his side. He was also quick to use the crop if Bandit didn't respond immediately. Bandit refused to jump. I told him to just go around again and ease off. Ryan used his crop harder and thought he could muscle or force Bandit to jump the oxer. When they approached again, Bandit slid to a stop and turned about a quarter of the way. Ryan flew over Bandit's head and right into the standard holding the oxer."
"Sounds like the kid had it coming." Nathan said. "If a horse doesn't trust you, he is not going to take a four foot oxer."
"Wise man." Marco said with a smile.
"Was Bandit injured?" Jack asked.
"Not that I could see." Marco said. "I did have the vet check him over just in case. He said his mouth was inflamed, probably from having the bit pulled so hard. There were also a couple of marks on his sides from Ryan's heels. Few days later, Bandit was fine. I rode him two days ago and he easily sailed over the jumps. I only had them at two and half. I am not as young as I used to be."
Jack shook his head. Marco was being modest, he was still one of the best riders that Jack had ever seen.
"Well." Jack said. "I will see what we can do. I had Bandit over a four foot oxer before. We are going to take the horses over some lower jumps and wait for this Ryan to show up. I guess I will be jumping in the charity event as long as I feel comfortable after a couple of training sessions. I would suggest that you look for a new full-time rider. I will also talk to Grandpa about it."
"I will." Marco said. "Want me to stick around?"
"If you want." Jack said. "I mean I know you spend most of your time in the building anyway."
Marco just grinned.
"I will be around." Marco said heading into the building.
"Nice guy." Nathan said as Marco walked away.
"One of the best." Jack said. "When his family fled Spain, they settled in Canada for a long time. Marco was on the Canadian National team for a time. He fell in love with a girl from New York. They got married and moved here. She is also a trainer here. They are both exceptional riders. I would trust them with any of my horses."
"Good to know." Nathan said.
"Marco and Maria are wonderful people." Jack said. "I learned a lot from him and Andy. I think that is why I am so upset. Beyond what this kid did to my horse, he treated people that I respect horribly. I just don't even know what to say to this kid. All I know is that I am going to exercise my authority and fire the kid. These are my horses and I own a stake in this ranch. I am not going to let him bully people."
"Good for you." Nathan said. "It sounds like he is one of those rich spoiled brats. After being briefed on you, I was glad to learn that you weren't like that. I was hesitant to take this assignment because I can't stand spoiled brats, rich or not. Although the more money they have access to, the worse they seem to be if they are spoiled."
"Thank you for being honest." Jack said. "I have been accused of being spoiled, but I try to treat others like I would want to be treated. I don't care if you have money or not. I try to judge people on their actions and character."
"You are better than most." Nathan said. "I really meant it that I could see us really being friends when this assignment is over. I wouldn't mind going riding with you sometime back in the city."
"I am sure that can be arranged." Jack said. "Now, let's go see what these two can do."
