Chapter 135 – Scary Moment
As a new rider was introduced, Elizabeth watched Lee make a quick note again.
"Lee what are you writing?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am keeping track of the names of the horses." Lee said. "I also take notes of any horse that I see for sale."
"How do you know if they are for sale?" Elizabeth asked.
"The ribbons in the tails." Katie asked.
"Red is warning that the horse might kick or strike." Gran said. "Yellow or blue mean stallion. Blue can also mean an aggressive gelding. Green means the horse is young and inexperienced. Pink means a moody mare. White means for sale."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I was wondering what the ribbons were, but I thought it was just to make the horses look pretty."
"I can see that." Katie said. "But those that ride, know what the ribbons mean and it gives them warning about the horse or communicates things about the horse."
"That is good then." Elizabeth said. "But don't all horses kick or strike?"
"All horses can kick or strike." Lee said. "There are some that are more prone to it when they are stressed or around a lot of people and those are usually the horses that have ribbons."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
"A good lesson." Katie said. "Never approach a horse from the back. Always approach from slightly to the side so that they can see you. Horses are more likely to strike or kick when startled."
"Very good lesson." Gran said. "Doug should be coming up next if I have counted right."
"How many clear rounds are we at?" Katie asked.
"Three." Gran said.
"Thank you." Katie said.
The group clapped as they saw Doug enter the field.
"Next we welcome a perennial powerhouse farm that has produced many champions." Todd announced. "Representing Coal Creek, we have Doug Burke. He is riding Aphrodite who is owned by Thornton Thoroughbreds."
The group watched as Doug showed a couple of jumps to Aphrodite up close.
"Doug has previously jumped here three times before." Todd continued. "The last time was two years ago when he finished second."
Doug was ready and brought Aphrodite up to a brisk canter and sailed over the first jump. He ran a tight line to the second jump, then went around and lined up for the third jump. He didn't cut between the jumps like Jack was thinking. After easily clearing the water at the fourth jump, Doug cut the corner and went the short way to the fifth jump which was an oxer that he rubbed, but it stayed up. He then easily went through the double combination that was the sixth jump. Doug then sailed over the seventh jump and then moved around to line up for the triple combination that was the eighth jump. He then cut the corner again to get back for the ninth jump and then he lined up for the final jump. He then quickly and easily sailed over the final jump and galloped through the timer. When Doug turned and saw what the time was, his face broke out in a smile. He was in first place by more than a half a second. He knew that the only one that had a chance of beating him was Jack and he was fine with that.
Jack and Nathan had been off to the side and were cheering as Doug rode. James and Marco had been nearby, both furiously taking notes. Marco had also set up a go pro so that he would be able to at least get a view of Doug's run even if it wasn't the greatest angle. As Jack watched Doug run, he saw where he could cut a little closer and gain a few more fractions of seconds. He knew that he could follow the same line as Doug and still beat him as Bandit was faster between fences then Aphrodite. Jack knew that Aphrodite had always needed a little more to turn and line up.
When Doug came off the field, he immediately went to cool down Aphrodite. Jack also immediately went to warm up as he was the fifth rider after Doug. After Doug had settled Aphrodite for the time, he went to talk to Marco about his round and then study the course for the jump off.
… … … …
The competition continued and the next two riders both had faults. Elizabeth was understanding a little more with each rider and Katie explaining things as they went. Elizabeth was getting more excited, especially with Doug in first place and Jack yet to ride. The third rider to go after Doug fell going over the triple bar. Elizabeth gasped when the rider fell.
"He will be okay." Katie said. "They will take precautions, but I am sure that he will be okay."
As the medical staff was tending to the fallen rider, others were trying to corral the skittish horse. One person got close, but the horse turned and kicked at the person and then took off again. Seeing this, Jack jumped down and went to an official.
"Clear the field." Jack said. "I will go get the horse. Obviously the horse is scared and possibly hurt. That is why it is acting that way."
"I can't let you do that." The official said.
"I am ordering you to clear the field and call your people back." Jack said. "That horse was born at Coal Creek and I am sure that I can get it. I am speaking to you as John Parker Thornton, II owner of Coal Creek and Thornton Thoroughbreds. If you don't clear the field, I will have Major Thompson of the State Police do it."
The official got on the radio and ordered his people off the field.
"Jack." Nathan said. "I am going with you."
Jack turned and looked at Nathan.
"Fine." Jack said. "But please follow my lead."
Nathan nodded. As the people backed away from the horse, it stopped running and started grazing on some grass off to the side. When Jack and Nathan walked out on the field, Elizabeth gasped again.
"What is he doing?" Elizabeth said.
"What he has been doing all his life." Gran said. "Helping a hurt horse."
"Nathan is with him." Lee said. "It will be okay."
"But that horse tried to kick that other person that got close." Elizabeth said.
"The difference is that Jack has been near that horse before." John said. "If I remember correctly that horse was born at Coal Creek from one of Jack's mares."
"He was also very angry when you sold said foal." Gran said.
They watched as Jack approached the horse. As he got closer, the horse's ears pricked up and it looked at Jack. It pawed at the ground and snorted at Jack, letting it know that it wanted to be left alone.
"This isn't a good idea." Nathan said in a low voice.
"I got this." Jack said.
Jack stopped moving and motioned for Nathan to stay back.
"Jellybean." Jack cooed at the horse. "I promise I won't hurt you. I just want to take you back. You don't belong out here. Come on Jellybean. It is me."
Jellybean was a dark brown, almost black horse with a black mane and tail. It wasn't the biggest horse, but it could still hurt someone if it wanted. Jack knew to be careful and he was sure that he could get the horse if given a few minutes. Jack had been the one to help halter break Jellybean when he was at Coal Creek. As Jack cooed the horse, it lowered its head and let Jack come near. He was able to get the reins. Once he had a hold of Jellybean, Nathan came in closer.
"I have him." Jack said. "Check his front legs please."
Nathan let the horse sniff his hand and when he seemed okay that Nathan was there, Nathan started checking the horse. The first thing that Nathan did was run his hand over the horse's neck and then down to release the saddle. When he released the saddle and dropped it to the ground, the horse seemed to relax even more. The entire time, Jack was softly talking to the horse and rubbing his muzzle. As Nathan went down to check the horse, Jellybean whinnied as if in pain.
"There is a mark here on the foreleg." Nathan said. "There is also a lot of heat already. We need to get him off this field and to a vet. I don't know what is wrong, but this isn't good and I am afraid that if it is serious, the owners might put him down."
"Nothing is going to happen to this horse." Jack said. "It was born at Coal Creek and I will make sure that it comes back to Coal Creek."
"Okay." Nathan said. "Think you can get Jellybean to follow you enough until they can get the horse ambulance in here."
"Let's try." Jack said. "Take the saddle and go let them know what we will need. I got Jellybean."
Nathan grabbed the saddle and quickly backed away. Once he was far enough away, he turned and started jogging toward the in gate. At the same time, Jack started moving Jellybean down the wall very slowly, constantly cooing to him. People started clapping and Jack tried to motion to them to be quiet as it was upsetting Jellybean.
"Can people please have a seat and quiet down." Todd announced. "Please let them get the horse off the field first. The noise appears to be upsetting to the horse."
After Todd made the announcement, the crowd got very quiet. As Jack got Jellybean to the horse ambulance, John turned to Peter.
"I want to know what is going on with that horse." John said. "If the owners can't handle it, I want that horse to come back to Coal Creek. Putting that horse down is not an option, especially if it is money that is driving the decision."
"Understood." Peter said.
Peter started frantically typing on his phone. As the ambulance took the horse off the field, the crowd erupted into an applause. As Jack walked off and went back to Bandit, several people wanted to know how he got the horse to go with him. Nathan stepped in.
"Please." Nathan said. "Mr Thornton needs to get ready to jump. Give him some space as he gets ready to ride. He should be afforded that opportunity as every other rider has been."
An official came over to Nathan and James who had joined him by then.
"Do you want us to move Mr Thornton down the order?" The official asked.
"There is one rider before Jack?" Nathan asked.
The official nodded. Nathan looked over at Jack who shook his head and then went back to making sure that Bandit was warmed up.
"He will be fine." Nathan said. "Please keep us updated on that horse and rider that was injured."
"Yes, Sir." The official said.
The rider on course was just going over the fifth jump when Jack came to the in gate. James and Nathan were with him.
"Are you ready?" James asked.
Jack let out a deep breath.
"I've got this." Jack said. "Time to show these brats how it is done. That interruption isn't going to stop me from winning."
James and Nathan both nodded. Jack then moved Bandit a couple steps forward. Nathan watched him bow his head and take another deep breath. It then seemed like Jack was saying a quiet prayer before he rode. Nathan looked over at James.
"Is he really alright?" Nathan whispered.
James nodded as he stood there watching Jack. There was a part of him that didn't want Jack to jump, but he also knew that there was no talking his grandson out of anything at that point.
… … … …
Elizabeth was surprised to hear some of Jack's accomplishments as he was announced. As Jack got ready to start his run, Gran said a quick prayer and so did Lee. Elizabeth's eyes were glued to Jack. She was on the edge of her seat. Katie smiled when she noticed Elizabeth and how she couldn't take her eyes off Jack. Katie knew that they loved each other, but having just seen a rider fall just a bit ago, she was sure that Elizabeth was a ball of nerves. Suddenly Elizabeth seemed to be bouncing next to Katie, so she put her hand on Elizabeth's leg to get her to sit still.
"Take a deep breath." Katie whispered.
She knew that Elizabeth was holding her breath and didn't want her to pass out. Elizabeth took a deep breath, but seemed to hold her breath again.
"You need to breathe." Katie said. "Jack is an excellent rider. Also I don't want you to pass out. If you are going to sit here and watch him, you need to breathe."
Elizabeth took another deep breath and blew it out slowly. As she took one more deep breath Jack started to line up for the first jump.
… … … …