Chapter 131 – Getting Ready at the Classic
Nathan pulled into the track area that Jack directed him to. When they got to the gate and booth, a security guard stepped out.
"Name." The guard stated.
"JP Thornton." Jack said. "Two riders for Coal Creek. Our horses are already here."
"Yes." The guard said. "Here we are. Only riders and coaches are allowed in the staging area."
"No problem." Jack said. "Doug and I are riding. Nathan is one of our trainers. Elizabeth and Lee, along with the security behind us will be immediately heading up to the stands."
"Okay." The guard said. "Here are the three passes for you, Doug and Nathan. As soon as you park, please make sure that the others leave the staging area."
"I promise." Jack said. "We have jumped at the Classic for several years. I know the drill."
"And the others know where to go?" The guard asked.
"Maybe let Chris, the driver of the security team in the next car know." Jack said.
"I will." The guard said.
Nathan pulled ahead and Chris stopped. They watched as the guard spoke to them for a few moments. Chris handed over the needed ids and documents to allow them to carry on track grounds. They then pulled head right behind Nathan. Jack directed them to where they needed to park. Chris pulled in right next to Jack.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Are you going to be okay with Lee and security? The others should be along shortly."
"I will be okay." Elizabeth said.
"I won't let her out of my sight." Lee said.
"Thank you." Jack said.
They got out of the truck and as soon as they were standing, Jack pulled Elizabeth in for a long kiss.
"I will see you later." Jack said.
"Good luck." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth then left with Lee and security to head up to the stands to sit and wait. Nathan, Doug and Jack grabbed their tack cases and the cooler.
"Now what?" Nathan asked.
"We need to formally register." Jack said. "Bring your case and follow me."
Jack set the cooler on the top of his tack case and strapped it to the handle. They then headed to the registration area
… … … …
Knowing that they had time, John directed Andrew to take the long way and then to go through the main road that led to the track which was also part of the touristy shopping strip of Saratoga. John saw several members of the shadow teams as they drove through town, especially as they got closer to the track. John also noticed that there was a lot more press then he had seen before for the Classic. John wasn't the only one that noticed the increased press.
"I hope that the kids are okay." James said. "This is a lot more press than in the past."
"I am going to trust Ryan and Marcus are going to try and keep as much press out of the track as possible." John said. "I don't think that it will eliminate them completely, but it should help. I hate to say it, but I think that JP and Elizabeth are just going to have to deal with the press at some point. Them getting engaged is going to be huge news once it gets out. I think you are going to have to talk to your staff and remind them to be diligent about closing gates and watching who is coming around the farm. I am going to ask Marcus to step up patrols to try and help keep the press from sneaking onto the property."
"I am afraid that you are right." James said.
"Sirs." Andrew said.
"Yes." John said.
"I want to let you know that Chris made it very clear this morning." Andrew said. "He said that anyone that had a problem with the way that either of you made decisions with security, they could leave right then and if they stayed, they had better keep their mouths shut about things that they don't need to be talking about and doing their jobs. Chris also made it very clear that anyone who dared to cross him would be even more sorry than just facing violations of the non-disclosure agreements. He promised that anyone who continued to cause trouble would be fired and he and Devin would work to have their accreditations removed. He also told them that if that happened, they would never work in security or law enforcement ever again."
"Thank you." John said. "Please keep your eyes and ears open. I want to know if there are continued problems and I will personally deal with them myself."
They pulled into the track on the seating side. James had said that he could walk to where he needed to check in and then find the others. John, Margaret, Peter and Andrew headed to the seating area where they easily found Lee, Elizabeth and the others. They took their seats in the roped off area. They knew it was still open and that people could stop by, but at least it was something. John had wanted a separate tent for them, but knew that Jack would have balked at the suggestion.
… … … …
When they got to the registration area, Jack saw several people that he knew. He also got several looks, but he didn't care. Nathan had his head on a swivel looking around and assessing any potential danger. He noticed several people who took pictures with their cell phones. He wished it was different, but Nathan also knew that there was little that he could do to stop it. When it was their turn, Jack stepped up first and Doug stood by him.
"Name and who you are jumping for." The lady said, without looking up.
"JP Thornton and Douglas Burke." Jack said. "We are jumping for Coal Creek/Thornton Thoroughbreds."
"Horses?" The woman asked.
"I will be on Bandit." Jack said. "Doug will be on Aphrodite."
"Are they registered to Coal Creek or Thornton Thoroughbreds?" The woman asked.
"I am the sole registered owner of Bandit." Jack said. "Aphrodite is registered under my name with Thornton Thoroughbreds."
"Okay." The woman said. "It appears you have jumped both horses here before. Here are your numbers. Your names are on the back."
Jack took the two numbers that she held out, along with the safety pins. He also grabbed four course sheets.
"Please draw for your spot." The woman said.
Jack grabbed a slip of paper. Doug stepped up and also grabbed a slip of paper.
"What number do you have Mr Thornton?" The woman asked.
"Seventeen." Jack said.
"I have twelve." Doug said.
The woman nodded and entered the information into the laptop that she had.
"Who is the third member with you?" The woman asked.
"One of our other riders who is helping as a trainer today as he is too old to ride." Jack said. "His name is Nathan Grant. My grandfather, James Sims, will also be down with us, but he will come get his lanyard when he gets here."
"Very well." The woman said. "Numbers on the back of jackets and lanyards worn at all times unless you are jumping. You can start walking the course at twelve thirty. Any questions?"
"No ma'am." Jack said. "Thank you."
Jack took the three lanyards and handed one to Doug and the other to Nathan. They then moved off to the side. Doug led the way to where the horses were. They went over and found Marco set up with the horses in the shade. They were tied to the side of the trailer with cooling blankets on.
"Glad you found me." Marco said. "How has your morning been?"
"Long." Jack said. "I am not going to get into it, but I promise my head is here and not back with what happened this morning."
Marco looked at Doug who nodded.
"Then grab a camp chair." Marco said. "We have some time. Might as well sit and relax."
… … … …
Once they were seated, Katie wanted a closer look at Elizabeth's engagement ring, but she also didn't want to draw extra attention to them. Elizabeth realized that Katie was looking at her ring and held up her hand so she could see better.
"He did well." Katie said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I agree. He also had this horse one made. I think you might have seen his ring. My horse is a cutout of his ring."
"That is very cool." Katie said. "So I heard you might be going to Toronto this week. Do you have a dress or do you need my help?"
"Jack said he has clothing coming for both of us." Elizabeth said.
"So that is why he asked for your size and my opinion." Katie asked. "I think you will like what he picked or at least I hope you do. Let me know. I think we might still be here."
"I will for sure." Elizabeth said. "He said that he has two things coming for me. I am excited. I haven't been to Toronto before. I know that we won't see much of it, but I am excited to go."
"I am sure that he has something special planned." Katie said.
Elizabeth sat quietly as several business associates of John's stopped by. She shook their hands when she was introduced as a friend of the family. She wasn't sure how she would be introduced as they hadn't talked about it, other than to keep the engagement as quiet as possible.
… … … …
It wasn't hard for James to find Marco and the boys as their trailer was distinctive. It was also larger as Marco had brought the larger four horse trailer with the sitting compartment that had air conditioning. James stopped by the horses and gave them a bit of attention before going around and greeting the others.
"You boys all checked in?" James asked.
"Yes, Sir." Jack said. "We didn't grab your lanyard."
James reached into his back pocket and pulled out his lanyard.
"I figured." James said.
Just as James took a seat in one of the camp chairs, they heard a commotion. Thinking it might be the press, Jack stepped into the trailer while James and Nathan stood up.
"Mr Sims?" A guard said.
"Yes." James said.
"There is a situation at the registration area." The guard said. "Cass is asking you to come up and help deal with it."
"What is going on?" Nathan said, stepping forward.
"Who are you?" The guard asked.
"He is with us." James said. "He is working and has direct communication with our security teams."
The guard looked up and down Nathan. Since Nathan was taller than the guard and apparently had the backing of Mr Sims, he didn't want to push the issue.
"So there is a young man at the registration area who is demanding to be allowed to jump." The guard said. "He says that he rides for you and you have his horse. He is wearing a Coal Creek jacket, but your two riders have already checked in."
Having heard the guard, Jack stepped out of the trailer.
"Grandpa." Jack said. "I have this. Nathan, come with me."
Jack started to walk away.
"JP!" James said.
Jack turned and looked at his grandfather.
"NO!" Jack said forcefully. "I am not going to let that brat tread on our good name."
Jack thought for a moment and then went over to his tack case and opened the top and grabbed a plastic case that held papers. Nathan looked at Doug and then James who both nodded for him to follow Jack. As much as James wanted to handle this himself and keep Jack back where it was safer from the press, he knew that his grandson wouldn't allow it. As Jack and Nathan walked away, James messaged John and asked him to send a few members of the security teams just in case. James then shook his head and sat back down.
… … … …
John was talking with a couple of business associates when his phone chimed. He knew that only a few people would have contacted him directly so he excused himself and looked at his phone. He quickly sent a text to Andrew and the leader of one of the teams. He then looked up and saw Andrew nod. John then went back to his associates.
"Sorry about that." John said. "My grandson wanted to let me know that he was here and getting ready."
"Oh that is right, your oldest grandson is jumping again." One of the associates said.
"Yes." John said. "After stepping aside after he won the championship two years ago he chose to jump again. We are all glad. He is even planning a show at Coal Creek here later this summer."
"We wish you all the best." Another associate said. "Let us know if there is anything that we can do to help."
"I know that they are having a vendor show over the three day show." John said. "So if you know of a business that wants to set up, please let them know. The contact information is up on the Coal Creek page about the show."
"We will pass the word along." An associate said. "Enjoy your time with your family."
"The four associates shook hands with John and took their leave. When they were gone, John went over to Andrew to figure out what James had texted him about.
… … … …