Chapter 26 – Dealing with Ryan

Jack and Nathan took the horses inside. They set up the jumps that they wanted. They planned on taking turns on the horses over the jumps while the other watched to see if there was something off. Jack went first on Bandit. They flew over the jumps, but then they were only at three feet. Jack knew that he needed to be able to clear three nine for the competition, but he had to start somewhere. He also knew that Bandit could easily clear four foot fences if he wanted to.

"Looking good." Nathan said as Jack came around.

"Your turn." Jack said. "Are you okay with the height?"

"Sure." Nathan said. "I mean it has been awhile, but Honey can clear that height, so we should be good."

"Just trust yourself." Jack said. "Honey is great and if you trust her, she will lead you."

Nathan took a lap around the arena and brought Honey up to a canter. He then lined up for the first jump. He reached down and petted Honey's mane.

"Let's do this, girl." Nathan whispered to the horse.

Three strides and they easily cleared the jump. Nathan took a few more, but didn't try the triple combination. He didn't feel that comfortable yet as it was tight with only one stride between each of the first two jumps. He rode up to Jack. Jack could see the huge smile on Nathan's face and he knew that he was having fun.

"You look like you enjoyed that." Jack said.

"I forgot how much fun it can be to be on a horse." Nathan said. "I haven't had a chance to really ride in over a year."

"Wouldn't know it by looking at you." Jack said. "If you were able, I would have you jump in the charity event, then I might have some competition."

"I doubt that I am that good." Nathan said.

They each went again and then they switched horses – Nathan on Bandit and Jack on Honey. They had just finished the first go around when they heard shouting. Jack and Nathan looked over and saw a young man with a bright blue cast yelling at people. Jack gave Nathan a look and without saying anything they understood each other. Jack wanted Nathan to take the lead and see what happened. Nathan decided to have some fun. As Nathan came around, he stopped near the young man who was yelling at some poor stable boy who didn't know what was going on. The young man turned to Nathan.

"Yo, stable boy." The young man said, pointing at Nathan. "Get your ass off my horse."

"Are you talking to me?" Nathan asked calmly.

"Obviously, asshole." The boy said. "I didn't give you permission to ride my horse. You are going to injure him and I have a big competition coming up."

Nathan looked at the boy and his arm.

"Doesn't look like you will be riding anytime soon." Nathan said.

"Oh, this." The boy said. "It is nothing. It will not keep me from riding in the huge competition. Now get off my horse."

Nathan jumped down and walked over to the railing. He looked down on the boy who couldn't have been more than five five.

"I was under the impression that Coal Creek owned this horse." Nathan said. "I was given permission to ride him."

"Who gave you permission?" The boy demanded. "I didn't give you permission."

"Do you own this horse?" Nathan asked.

"Technically, no." The boy said. "Some spoiled rich brat who doesn't have the balls to ride owns him, but my father is in the process of buying him so I can take him to a proper stable and get proper training. Besides, I have a contract to ride him and it says I have exclusive rights to him."

"What if I told you I have permission from the owner to ride this horse?" Nathan said.

"Then I would call you a liar." The boy said. "Because that spoiled rich brat wouldn't let a stable boy ride his horse."

Just then, James and Marco came in. They heard the last bit by Ryan. Marco just looked at James and shook his head. James wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he knew that he needed to say something.

"Ryan." James said. "Thank you for coming over."

"I want this stable boy fired." Ryan yelled. "I didn't give him permission to ride my horse."

"It isn't your horse." Nathan said calmly. "And for your information, I am not a stable boy. I am here as an invited guest."

Nathan turned, remounted Bandit and rode over toward Jack. Ryan turned to James and Marco and continued to yell, but neither Jack or Nathan could make out exactly what was being said. Finally, Jack had enough and motioned for Nathan to follow him. They headed over to James and Marco. Jack jumped down and handed Honey's reins to Nathan.

"Excuse me." Jack said. "Is there a problem here."

"Stay out of this." Ryan hissed. "This is between me and James."

"Actually." James said. "I would like to introduce you to my new rider."

Ryan turned and looked at Jack.

"Who the hell are you?" Ryan sniped.

"Jack."

"Never seen you around here before." Ryan said. "Good luck with Honey, she is a real drag. I will beat your ass any day on Bandit. But good luck at the competition."

"Oh." Jack said. "I am not riding Honey in the competition, I am riding Bandit."

"Like hell you are." Ryan said. "That is my horse."

"Actually." Jack said. "According to the registration papers he is my horse."

"Yeah, right." Ryan said. "He is owned by some rich brat, not a nobody like you."

Jack looked over at James and got a slight nod. Jack broke out into a smile.

"Grandpa." Jack said.

"Grandpa?" Ryan questioned.

"Yes." James said. "I would like to introduce you to my grandson, John Parker Thornton II. Otherwise known as JP or Jack. He is also the registered owner of both Honey and Bandit."

"And as the owner said." Jack said. "You are fired. I don't ever want you near my horses again. If I have my way you won't ride on the circuit anymore. I have already filed a report/complaint with the hunter jumper association. I don't know what you did to this horse, but you deserved to be thrown out. Bandit is an amazing horse if you are patient with him, otherwise I wouldn't have won the championship two years ago. And as far as your father trying to buy Bandit. I told him weeks ago that Bandit wasn't for sale, not now, not ever. Now, I will ask you to leave before I have security escort you off the property. Also I suggest you don't try coming back here. I have informed security that after you leave today, you are permanently banned from the property for injuring a horse."

"You can't do that." Ryan cried.

"Yes, he can." James said. "JP is part owner of this ranch. He has full authority to hire, fire or ban people as he sees fit."

"This isn't over." Ryan yelled. "I am calling my father and you will be hearing from our attorney."

"Fine." Jack said. "All correspondence can be directed to our attorney – Thomas Thornton in New York City and yes, he is my father. He is also an attorney of record for Coal Creek."

Ryan just huffed. He looked like he was going to say something else, but Nathan had signaled security and they were right there. Nathan had heard enough and figured it was time for the kid to leave. A very large man put his hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"Time to go." The man said.

"I am going, get your hands off me." Ryan said.

"Kevin." Jack said. "Please see him off the property."

"Of course, Sir." Kevin said.

Kevin motioned to Ryan and then the door. Ryan left but not without shooting one last glance back at Jack and Nathan. Jack waited until Kevin had gone through the door and closed it.

"Sorry, Grandpa." Jack said. "I just wasn't going to allow him to speak to me that way."

"You're right." James said. "Marco filled me in. Sorry, I didn't know sooner. I would have done something."

"It is fine." Jack said. "Bandit is fine and Honey is riding great. Although I think that boy is going to try and cause trouble."

"Count on it." Marco said. "His father is Michael Kennedy."

"As in the Broadway actor, Michael Kennedy?" Jack asked.

"One and the same." James said.

"Well." Jack said. "He messed with a Thornton. I wonder what his daddy is going to say when he learns that Ryan is going to be formally sanctioned by the US Hunter Jumper Association. He could be suspended for the remainder of the season and also could face up to a ten thousand dollar fine. He will not be allowed to ride in any points competition, until a formal decision is made."

"What did you do?" James asked.

"When I heard that he was telling people that Bandit was his horse." Jack said. "On top of him injuring Bandit because he refused to listen to the trainer, I called over to the association and filed an official complaint. I also had the vet report and security video sent over. Before Ryan showed up, I got a text that the president himself was not happy, especially after all that Coal Creek and Thornton Thoroughbreds have done for them. I have only been here a few hours and I didn't like anything that I saw or heard in regard to that boy. Even the clerk at the Saddlery was surprised I was selling Bandit."

"JP?" James said.

"No, James." Nathan said. "That kid deserved it. After what he did and said. I can't believe he threatened to have some of your trainers deported because they tried to correct him."

James looked at Marco and then back at Nathan.

"Apparently." Jack said. "Marco didn't tell you everything."

"Apparently." James said. "But if he did what you said, then it is on him."

"Good." Jack said. "Now that is settled. I will ride in the charity event. I also know that there is a show two weeks after that. If Nathan and Elizabeth are okay with it, I might stay and ride in that show, but you will need to find a rider."

"What is the show two weeks after the charity event?" Nathan asked.

"Open show at Sugar Creek." Jack said. "Anyone fourteen or older can enter. They will have three divisions – modified, preliminary and intermediate. It is open to anyone in any of those classes."

"Would I be able to jump Honey at that competition?" Nathan asked.

"If you want." Jack said. "We will get you a Coal Creek/Thornton Thoroughbred jacket. You can jump preliminary or go intermediate against me."

"I will see how well I do over the next few days." Nathan said. "Do you think Elizabeth will be okay staying?"

"I am sure she will be." Jack said. "Doug and Lee will probably stay as well. Doug might even jump. If all three of us jump intermediate, then we might sweep."

"You're on." Nathan said.

"Looks like it is going to be a fun summer." James said with a smirk.

"Looks like it." Marco said as they walked away.

Nathan and Jack just looked at each other and laughed.

"You better call Doug." Nathan said. "Oh and you should probably talk to Elizabeth."

"I will do that." Jack said. "Do you have enough clothes to stay that long?"

"Maybe." Nathan said. "I might need a few more things."

"Do you have them at home that someone can get?" Jack asked. "Because if that is the case, I can have Devin send them with Dad. If we need to go shopping, let me know."

"Let me call Devin." Nathan said. "He has a key to my apartment just in case."

"Have him get what you need and send it with Dad." Jack said. "If there is something that you will need, we will get it. Also, do you know what size jacket you will need."

"Yes." Nathan said. "I have fitted jackets before."

"Don't forget the vest." Jack said. "Add two inches around the chest for that, Grandpa requires it of all his riders even if the association doesn't."

"Right." Nathan said. "I will see what Devin can grab and send with your dad. Anything else, like you said, we can get. I know that I will need some shorts and something for the pool."

"If you are sure of sizes and aren't too picky." Jack said. "Devin can have Katie pick up some things. Katie is my family's personal shopper. She is really good. We also have a Target and Walmart in town if that is the route you want to go."

"I might do that." Nathan said. "Let me go call Devin."

"Okay." Jack said. "I am going to raise the jumps and keep going."

"Be back shortly." Nathan said.

Jack watched Nathan leave the arena for the dressing room. Jack motioned for one of the grooms to come over and hold Honey as Jack jumped on Bandit. Jack had raised the jumps and made a full circuit before Nathan got back.

"All set?" Jack asked.

"Yeah." Nathan said. "Devin will grab what I need and Katie will pick up a few items. Devin will talk to her. He will grab my sizes from my current clothes and he will let her know what I need. Everything will be sent with your dad. Devin will also make sure that a riding jacket and shirt are ready for me when your dad picks up yours."

"Great." Jack said. "Want to try the three and half jumps. I set them in an easy formation."

"One more time." Nathan said. "Then we should head back to the house. We have been gone longer than planned."

"Okay." Jack said. "I will arrange for these two to be moved over to the stable by the house. We can use the outdoor jumping ring over there, we should get used to jumping outside as that will be the charity event and Sugar Creek. Granted Sugar Creek could move indoors if the weather turns, but better to be ready to jump outside."

"You're the boss." Nathan said.

Jack and Nathan each took one more circuit jumping, before they cooled down the horses. Jack made arrangements for them to be moved over to the stable at the house, along with their tack. He also left instructions to set up the outdoor ring for an intermediate jumping course. After that, they headed to the dressing room to change. Nathan was looking forward to jumping again. He also realized that it would also be easier for him to keep an eye on Jack, but they would need someone to be with Elizabeth while they were jumping.

"If you are okay with that vest." Jack said. "Bring it with. We can store it at the stable there. I am bringing my stuff."

"Good plan." Nathan said. "I guess it is a good thing I got a pair of riding breeches. Although I think I might need another pair. We can call ahead and have them ready, then we can pick them up after church tomorrow."

"Anything else that you can think of that you will need?" Jack asked.

"A couple shirts for jumping." Nathan said.

"No problem." Jack said.

They called Cheshire and got the stuff set aside that Nathan needed. They would go pick it up after church the next day. With everything taken care of, Jack and Nathan headed back to the house. Jack wanted to see how Elizabeth did with Gran that afternoon. He also realized that both him and Nathan needed a shower before supper.