Chapter 262 – Sugar Creek Show part 1
Overall everyone had a good morning watching the competition. James, Margaret and John, along with Peter and Andrew arrived just before eleven. John and James had gotten some paperwork done staying back at the house. James joined Marco and the group with the horses, while the others found the group in the stands. The ground crew was just resetting the arena for the set of jumpers when they had arrived.
When James sat down in the shade he looked at Marco and asked how the field looked and how many made the jumpoff. He was floored to learn twelve of the eighteen jumpers made the jumpoff. James wondered how that bode for the group his jumpers were in. He knew that normally, the trainers at Sugar Creek set pretty hard courses. He knew that in the past, even though his riders had done well, they had been challenged.
After it was announced that the ring had been reset and was ready for the intermediate riders to walk the course. Jack had already grabbed his clipboard and was near the in gate. Nathan and Doug grabbed their sheets and headed toward the gate as well. James headed that way as well. Jack started walking the course like he usually did. Once Doug and Nathan had walked the course twice as well as the jump off course, Doug headed back to the trailer. Nathan stuck around and walked with Jack, giving him space and not talking to him. Nathan was also keeping an eye on the other competitors. He saw that Connor kid as well as Ryan. They both glared at Jack and Nathan but they didn't come near either of them. Nathan wasn't sure if they had been warned to stay away or if they knew that Jack wasn't going to back down from a fight this time.
Finally when the announcer called for all competitors to clear the field, Jack and Nathan left. Jack hadn't spoken a word from the moment that he had stepped through the in gate until he got back to the trailer. Then he looked at Nathan.
"Watch the sand coming out of the triple combination." Jack said. "If they don't rake in between, there will be a rut and Athena will not turn like you want."
"I will keep an eye on that." Nathan said. "Anything else?"
"Show her the bars at the third jump." Jack said. "With the angle of the sun, it might be hard to pick up. I think that is going to be a problem for a lot of people. It is a very light colored bar and the glare from the sun could mess with some horses."
"I will." Nathan said. "Thank you."
Jack didn't say anything else, he just went and sat in the trailer to continue with his pre-jump routine. Nathan was still shaking his head as he sat down.
"Everything okay?" Marco asked.
"Still amazed at the way Jack's mind works." Nathan said. "He gave me a couple of tips to help me with Athena based on the course. I mean I know we are friends, but they were things that could mean I beat him."
"Jack would want you to do your best." Marco said. "Even if that means you beat him."
"Got it." Nathan said. "It is not just the tips to make me better, but the fact he sees them at all. I mean I have a sharp mind and know a lot of things, but why do I get the feeling Jack could run mental laps around me if he wanted. Not to brag, but until I had met Jack I had usually always been the smartest person in the room. I might not have said much, but I was very aware of everything going on."
"Don't feel bad." Doug said, sitting down. "I have known Jack for five years and I still feel like I am playing catch up most of the time. Although, I think you challenge him more than he cares to admit. The way you see things and can pull a word or fact out, I will tell you it freaks him out, but he will never admit it. That thing with Tasse, he told me he couldn't believe how you just pulled the word out of thin air and then knew what it meant."
Nathan smiled. He liked that he could challenge Jack.
"Honestly." Doug said. "I think it is part of the reason Jack is making long term plans to keep you around. He not only likes you as a friend, but he likes that you can challenge him on a mental and intellectual level. I may be more street smart and Lee may be more emotional smart, but even we can't challenge Jack the way you do."
"Thank you, I think." Nathan said. "So what are these plans Jack is making? He still hasn't shared."
"I don't know the specifics." Doug said. "And he won't share until he is ready."
"Fine." Nathan said. "But at some point, Kensington is no longer going to be a threat and my job will be done."
"Keep telling yourself that." Doug said. "I have a feeling that both Jack and his grandfather have planned beyond that. I am sure John will talk to you but I think you are going to be with Jack and I at school this fall. I saw some papers in the printer with your name on them from Columbia."
"Seriously?!" Nathan said.
"Would that be so bad?" Doug said.
"That would be like an hour commute everyday." Nathan said.
"And there is an open bedroom in the apartment with Lee and I." Doug said. "I am sure if you wanted it, it would be yours. Especially since Jack will be with Elizabeth now."
Nathan didn't say anything, but just stared at Doug.
"I can't afford to pay rent there." Nathan said. "I can barely afford the small two bedroom I have now."
"Like Jack would take rent from you." Marco said. "The apartment would be part of your compensation package."
Nathan looked between the two men and Doug just nodded.
"Now if you will excuse me." Doug said. "I need to go get Ghost warmed up."
Doug got up and walked off. Carlo had already saddled Ghost, but Doug double checked everything like he was taught and then led Ghost over to a warm up pen.
James, Marco, Carlo and Nathan headed over to watch a few competitors. They were five jumpers in, with the sixth on the field and only two clear round so far.
The group up in the stands were having fun. The twins had sat on either side of Elizabeth and were explaining things and answering questions as they had watched the first group jump. They also answered more of Elizabeth's questions as they had watched the guys walk the course.
"I think the guys are going to do good today." Missy said.
"Me too." Maddie said. "This is a pretty easy course for intermediate jumpers. The only tricky part is going to the sand. It seems uneven in spots, so hopefully they rake."
"Why do you say it is an easy course?" Elizabeth asked.
"No triple bars." Maddie said.
"No water." Missy added. "Also there is plenty of room to cut corners. Knowing Jack and Doug, they have figured out how to save a few seconds."
"The course is set at eighty-two seconds." Maddie said. "I would bet that Jack and Doug go under eighty and Nathan will be close to that as well."
"You think so." Elizabeth said.
"Almost a guarantee." Missy said. "The only way they don't go under eighty is if they stumble in the uneven sand or take down a rail, but I don't see that happening."
"What are you girls talking about?" Father Mark asked, coming over to sit behind them.
"The girls were just telling me that they are pretty sure that Jack and Doug will go under eighty seconds." Elizabeth said.
Father Mark looked at the course for a few minutes and the turned back to the girls.
"I agree." Father Mark said. "I don't see anything other than the sand that is going to give our three problems. Personally, I think Nathan has the advantage. Not only is he going last of our three, but Athena loves the sand. Maybe even more than the grass."
"You really think so." Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "Having watched my sister for years with Athena, she always did better on sand than grass. Also there are no tricky combinations or turns in this one. I could probably run this course on Honey and place in the top ten. This is a very easy course for this level which is surprising for this place."
"The other course was easy as well." Maddie said. "I think there are like twelve in the jumpoff. There were only eighteen total."
"What order are they jumping?" Elizabeth asked.
"Doug is tenth." Father Mark said. "Jack is seventeenth and Nathan is twentieth. A totally of twenty-two jumpers."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I hope they do well."
They went on to talk about other things until it was announced to stand for the National anthem. The group stood and Father Mark, Missy and Maddie all sang along to the recording that played over the loudspeaker. Afterwards, they sat with Father Mark and Elizabeth beside each other and the twins in front.
Gran and Katie were just down a bit and were glad they had mostly been left alone. People had occasionally stopped by to say hi, but no one bothered Elizabeth and for that they were grateful. They both thought it helped that the twins had kept up a pretty good dialogue. Gran had noticed when the younger riders had mobbed around Jack and Doug. She smiled as she saw them sign autographs and take pictures. She knew both boys weren't comfortable in the spotlight, but wouldn't turn the young kids away.
Finally it was almost Doug's turn. He didn't mind going early in the round. He hated waiting around. At least after he jumped, he could relax a little, even if he made the jumpoff. He watched the girl before him drop the rail at the third jump.
"That is five." James said.
"What?" Doug asked.
"That is the fifth rider to drop a rail at three." Nathan said.
"How many clear rounds?" Doug asked.
"Two." James said.
"Best time so far?" Doug asked.
"For a clear round." Marco said. "Eighty-one seventy-nine."
"I got this." Doug said. "My goal is eight or below."
"Just make sure you have a clear round." James said.
"Watch the angle at three." Nathan said. "Jack told me with the sun and the color of the rail it was going to be hard to pick up."
"I noticed that when we were walking." Doug said. "I got this. You focus on finding a way to beat both Jack and I."
Doug looked at Nathan and stuck out his tongue as he moved Ghost forward. Nathan just shook his head after Doug. In many ways, Nathan could see the little boy that was still very much a part of both Doug and Jack. They might be eighteen and nineteen years old, but there were times he watched them and saw that four and five years old they never outgrew. He loved it if he was being honest. As much as he loved Colleen, he had wished for brothers growing up and now it appears he has four or five of them – three younger and at least one older.
As Doug took Ghost up to see the rail at the third jump, Nathan said a quick prayer. He wanted them all to do well and he knew that Doug and Jack put a lot of pressure on themselves to win or finish top three.
"Look." Maddie said. "Doug is waiting at the in gate. He is next."
"Good." Father Mark said. "I know how he hates waiting around."
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.
"Doug would rather ride sooner." Missy said. "He says the waiting makes him start to question his plan. After he rides, he can relax."
"Even if he makes the jumpoff." Maddie finished.
"It looks like James is talking to him." Elizabeth said. "Wonder what he is saying?"
"Grandpa is probably reminding him about the third jump." Maddie said.
"And to have a clear round." Missy said. "He doesn't need the fastest time in this round, just to be clear."
"I would agree on both accounts." Father Mark said.
"I noticed that you call James and Margaret gran and grandpa." Elizabeth said. "Mind me asking you about that. I mean I have called her Gran, but I can't seem to get used to calling either James or John grandpa."
"I guess we always have." Missy said.
"Doug did it." Maddie said. "So we just followed. I think we were eight or nine before we learned they weren't our real grandparents. We just thought we had extra grandparents."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
"No one is pressuring you." Father Mark said. "You need to be comfortable calling them what you decide. Would they love for you to call them gran and grandpa? Absolutely. But they want you to feel comfortable doing so. It won't change how they see you or how much they love you."
"It is weird." Elizabeth said. "I never knew my grandparents growing up. I barely know who my grandfather is in Arizona and I don't remember the others at all. I have seen pictures and heard stories, but that is not the same as having real memories."
"I know what you mean." Father Mark said. "Everyone just wants you to feel comfortable. So if you aren't comfortable with a title or nickname, please don't feel pressured to use it."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "It looks like Doug is ready to go."
The group stopped talking and turned their full attention to the field to watch Doug jump.
Doug took his time showing Ghost the third jump. He knew he had seventy seconds before he had to start and was planning on taking the full time if he needed. After making sure that Ghost was comfortable with the third jump, he checked out the landing zone of the triple combination and then moved to bring Ghost around and into a canter. Before crossing the starting timer, he leaned down and patted the horse's neck and whispered, 'read to run' to Ghost. Ghost let out a whinny and tossed his back as if agreeing.
Doug crossed the start timer and sailed over the first jump and then cut in front of the tree and took the second at a slight angle. He then moved on to the third jump and took it at a slightly different angle and Ghost barely clipped the rail and it stayed up. He then moved back on the normal track and went between the two jumps at eight to get to the fourth jump. Once he had cleared it, he let Ghost run a bit as they headed to the triple combination. After landing it, he once again cut in front of the tree to get to six and then quickly moved on to seven. After landing at seven, Doug cut between the tree and the fourth jump to get to the double at eight. He then took a bit of a straighter line to nine and then a tighter turn around six to ten. Once Ghost's feet hit the ground, Doug let him have his head and he had picked up speed as they crossed the finish line. When Doug turned and looked at the board, he was upset that he didn't go under eighty, but he was still in first place. He knew that Jack and Nathan still needed to ride, but he was confident in his time. Like before he never minded losing if it was to Jack. He also realized he wouldn't mind losing to Nathan. He knew that Nathan had the advantage on Athena in the deeper sand that had been laid down.
