Chapter 307 – Cooperstown Show part 2

After the break, Jack's group was allowed to walk the course. All three of the guys spent a lot of time going over the course. Normally Doug would walk it once or twice, but he stayed out there the entire thirty minutes like Jack and Nathan did. Nathan took a bunch of notes as he walked with Jack. When they got back to the trailer, the three sat and talked about the course. They agreed that there would be some tricky spots, but at the same time if they were careful they would be able to get a clear round.

As the guys were looking at the course sheet and notes that they had taken when they walked the course, they realized that it was not going to be smooth sailing.

"So the two biggest trouble spots." Jack said. "At least as far as I see it, they are going to be the water jump and coming around the tree back toward eleven."

"What is your concern with the water jump?" Nathan asked. "I mean I have my own, but would like to hear what you are thinking."

"My biggest concern." Jack said. "Well it is two-fold. One, the sun and how it comes off the water. That is out in the open and nothing big around it to cast shadows. Then two, the actual approach. You are coming around at a slight angle and if you don't take that jump straight on right in the middle, you are going to knock over a plant or end up in the water. I have seen it before. Unfortunately, I have also done it before."

"I agree." Doug said. "Especially with it being close to max width."

"I can see that." Nathan said. "The approach was one of my concerns as well. The other major concern for me is how they are forcing us to jump straight over the middle. Normally, you would be able to go to one side or the other just a bit, but the way they arranged the flowers and stuff, that is not an option. I was wondering what was up when they wanted you to go straight down the middle. Then I stepped it off and straight down the middle is about five inches wider than the edges. Unless you are looking closely, it is not noticeable, especially with the way they have arranged the flowers."

"I agree." Jack said. "I noticed that as well. I guess I didn't realize it was such a big difference. I was thinking an inch or two. I know that with these temporary water features, you can stretch the middle just a bit. But with that big of a difference, it had to be done intentionally."

"I agree with you both." Doug said. "I also agree that coming around the tree from ten to eleven is going to be tricky. It is all going to depend on how big the shadows are. Since we are going to be going from sun to shadow back to sun."

"I can see that." Nathan said. "But we have done that before. The biggest thing is going to be getting the horse to pick up the rail. They used a lot of light colored rails here with dark standards to mess with the depth perception."

"Yeah." Jack said. "They do that intentionally. Their riders must train like that, so they think they have an advantage. It was part of the reason that I swapped out the rails at home this week and went with all the light colored ones in practice."

The guys talked over the course sheets and notes for another twenty minutes before Jack went off to go through his routine. Doug and Nathan let Jack go as they both knew that he needed to go through his routine. Doug and Nathan talked a little longer before Nathan went off to pray with Father Mark. James, Marco and Andy had gone to watch the competition and take notes to update the boys.

When Nathan and Doug arrived at the in gate, they saw James and moved toward him.

"Where is JP?" He asked.

"Warming up." Doug said. "He will be along shortly."

James nodded.

"How is it going?" Doug said.

"Six clear rounds." James said.

"Best time?" Nathan asked.

"Problem spots." Doug added.

"Best time is ninety-one point forty-five." James said. "Water and the shadows are where people have been having problems. Twelve faults so far at the water jump on eight.

"We figured that the water was going to be a problem." Nathan said. "We also talked about the shadows."

"You don't need the fastest time." James said. "Clean round within the time limit is more important right now. Make the jump off."

"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.

"Of course." Doug said.

Just as the competitor before Nathan came off, Jack came up. He nodded to Nathan and then stood next to Doug. James nodded to Jack and then turned his attention to Nathan. Doug looked over at Jack as Nathan showed Athena a few of the spots. Doug noticed that Jack had his immobilizer on under his jacket and vest. Jack's arm was free, but restricted in movement. Doug raised his eyebrow at Jack, who just shook his head.

"Seriously." Doug said, quietly.

Doug shook his head and then turned his attention back to the field where Nathan was starting. Jack also turned his attention to Nathan.

Nathan lined up Athena and went through the start timer. She was in the mood to run and sailed over the first fence. Nathan turned and lined up for two and again sailed over. He cut in front of the tree and then swung wider to line up for three A and B. He rubbed the rail on the double at three A, but it stayed up. He had to take B at a bit of an angle but it worked. Athena galloped toward the line of jumps along the far side. Nathan barely had to give her direction. They sailed through four, five and six with lots of room. Nathan cut closer to the tree when he cut back for seven. He lined up and sailed over it. Nathan went wide to line up for eight. He knew that he needed the straight on approach to the water. Athena galloped toward the water and took off perfectly and landed with lots of room to spare.

Once Nathan had cleared the water, he lined up for nine and then turned toward ten A and B. The first thing that Nathan noticed was that the shadows were being cast on the jumps. Nathan was debating his choice to wear the polarized sunglasses that Jack had gotten him. They had helped him to pick up the rails, but at the same time they made the shadows that were being cast hard. He was tempted to reach up and move them, but he knew that he would need them to pick up the rails at eleven. So Nathan made the split second decision to leave them and just trust Athena. They cleared the double at ten B a hard rub, but it stayed up. Nathan then swung around the tree and headed for eleven. He picked up the rails and cleared the fence with barely any room to spare. Nathan let Athena run, but swung wider to give her a more straight on approach to the triple bar at twelve. Once he had landed, he let Athena run as she wanted through thirteen A and B, which were both easy single cross bars with a plank on top. When they cleared the timer, Nathan turned and looked at his time. He had run a ninety-one point forty-five, which put him in a tie for first.

Nathan came off the course and greeted Jack and Doug.

"Good job." Doug said.

"Thank you." Nathan said. "Watch the shadows, they make it hard, but the glasses help. Except for ten. The shadows are weird."

"Got it." Doug said.

Nathan looked over at Jack, but he had put his sunglasses on and Nathan couldn't read his expression. Nathan wondered what was wrong. Jack wasn't acting like himself. Nathan didn't say anything, but turned to watch the competitor that had taken the field between Nathan and Doug. None of the boys were that surprised when the jumper landed with the back hooves in the water. Nathan felt bad for the rider, Maddie McCoy. They had seen her compete at other shows, including the classic. Nathan knew from talking to her earlier in the summer that she had just turned sixteen this spring and this was the first year jumping in intermediate. He knew that she was trying hard, but Nathan also knew that her horse might be holding her back. While Nathan thought Maddie's horse, Kite, was a beautiful buckskin. He knew that the horse was twelve and at only fifteen point two hands was a small horse. She needed a bigger and younger horse to compete with the others. If she had been in the Saratoga area, he would have suggested that she come jump for Coal Creek. But she was over two hours away. Nathan wished that there was something that he could have done for her because she seemed like a great girl who had plenty of potential if she had the right horse and coach.

When Doug moved forward, Nathan moved so he was right next to Jack. Nathan knew that there was some press, but wasn't sure exactly where they were at the moment as he had been more focused on the competition. He also knew that they had undercover security close by so Nathan had relaxed just a bit.

"What is going on with you?" Nathan asked.

"Not doing this right now?" Jack said, barely moving his mouth.

Nathan reached over and touched Jack's leg, which caused Jack to turn and look right at Nathan.

"Just smile and watch Doug." Jack said. "The press are watching and I am not going to have something I say misunderstood because they suck at lipreading."

Nathan just nodded and didn't further question Jack. Nathan knew that Jack was worried about the press and what was going to be said about him next. They both turned and faced the field. As Nathan sat there, he scanned the area as best he could with minimal head movement. The polarized glasses helped as he could look all over but make it look like he was watching the field. On the second pass, Nathan spotted two photographers with their long lens cameras trained on them. Nathan wished that there was something more that they could do about the paparazzi, but they were in a semi-public setting. At least Nathan was learning why Jack preferred to stay on the farm. At least he didn't have to worry too much about the paparazzi while on the farm. Yes, they could stand on the road with their long lenses, but there was usually enough tree cover that it was hard to see what the boys were doing.

… … … …

Doug moved forward so he could take a moment before going on course. He knew that there was press taking his photo, so he took a moment. He took his helmet and sunglasses off, tossed his blond locks back and adjusted his helmet. He then took this time putting his sunglasses back on, with a smirk on his face. He knew that his mother might say something later, but he figured if the paparazzi and other reporters were going to take his picture, he would give them something to photograph.

Once Doug moved onto the course, he took his time and showed Ghost the water jump. He also showed him the triple bar and the fences at number ten. He saw what Nathan had been talking about with the shadows and was glad that he took the moment to check it out. When Doug got the five second warning, he brought Ghost up to a canter and lined up for the first jump. Doug took a very similar line to what Nathan had just run a few minutes before. Doug only had one hard rub and that was at ten. When Doug crossed the finish timer, he looked at the board. A smile broke out across his face as he saw the time of ninety-one point forty-seven. After seeing his time, Doug moved off the course and toward Jack and Nathan.

"Good job." Nathan said, as Doug came to stand on the other side of Jack.

"Thank you." Doug said.

"Yes, good job." Jack said. "But I am still going to beat you."

"Go ahead and try." Doug teased.

"Are you both staying here to watch the next three riders before me?" Jack asked.

"Maybe." Nathan said. "You going to warm up some more?"

"No." Jack said. "Bandit is plenty warm with this heat."

"We can stay." Doug said. "I know that the press are here, but you are safe."

"I know." Jack said. "I just feel better with you here."

"We will be here." Nathan said.

The three guys sat there on their horses and watched the three riders before Jack went. One of them made a clear round with a time of ninety-one point fifty-three. Before Jack went on course, Father Mark stopped Jack.

"You don't have to do this." Father Mark said. "I know that you are in pain. No one will be mad if you don't ride. You don't have to prove anything."

"I am fine." Jack said through gritted teeth.

"I don't believe you." Father Mark said. "But you are an adult and can make your own choices. I am just concerned."

Jack leaned down so no one could see what he said by reading his lips. He also pulled his sunglasses down so that Father Mark could see his eyes.

"I am fine to ride." Jack said. "Thank you for your concern. If it gets too much, I will pull out. But I have to do this for myself. I have never backed down and with everything being said in the press, I am going to prove that I am fine."

"Fair enough." Father Mark said.

Jack sat back up and adjusted his sunglasses. Father Mark let go of Bandit and Jack moved forward a step. Jack took a deep breath, tuned everything and everyone out. He went through his routine and then moved on course. He showed Bandit the water jump as well as the tenth jump because of the shadows. He took an extra second to center himself and once he had only his voice talking him through the course in his head, he brought Bandit up to a canter and started. Jack was going to push it as much as possible and have a clear round. He wanted a good time and trusted Bandit to do his job.

… … … …

Father Mark stepped back and stood between Doug and Nathan, who both had jumped down when they saw Father Mark stop Jack. They held the reins for their horses who were happy to graze on the nearby grass.

"He is in pain, isn't he?" Doug asked quietly.

Father Mark nodded. Doug sighed. He knew that Jack wasn't one hundred percent, but he also knew that he had pushed Jack pretty hard, so had chosen not to push him on the issue. There was a part of Doug that wanted to yell at Jack for being reckless and riding while injured. Yet the other part of Doug totally understood why Jack felt that he needed to ride and keep his promise.

Father Mark stayed there to watch Jack. He was worried about his cousin and wanted to be close if something happened. Father Mark prayed harder than he had while jumping in a long time. He was worried that Jack was going to get seriously injured if he kept pushing. He also knew that his cousin was still struggling mentally, so that could make it harder for Jack to focus and easier to get hurt. Nathan knew that Father Mark was praying, because he was moving his Rosary between his fingers. Nathan wasn't sure if he was praying the Rosary or just praying and fidgeting with the Rosary to keep his hands busy because he was worried.

… … … …

Jack sailed through the first jump on the exact same line that Nathan and Doug had taken. Jack cleared all the rails with no problem. While it looked like he was holding the reins with both hands, he was mainly controlling the horse with his one hand. While he was equally good at writing and drawing with both hands, he had always been more dominant with his right when righting, so controlling the horse mainly with his left hand was different. But Jack knew what he needed to do and trusted Bandit to do his job as they had been a team for a long time.

Jack breathed a sigh of relief when he crossed the finish timer. He had kept all the rails up and was hoping his time was enough to be competitive. He turned and looked at the board and saw a time of ninety-one point forty-six. He smiled as he was one-hundredth of a second behind Nathan and ahead of Doug by the same margin. Jack also knew that each Doug and Nathan were tied with another rider, but Jack wasn't concerned. He knew that the jumpoff course was going to be easier with no water jump and the shadows on the far end would not be a problem either.

As Jack left the course, the announcer came on and announced the ten riders who had made the jumpoff and the order that they placed. Tied for first was John Rollins on Boots from Chestnut Ridge Stable and Nathan Grant on Athena from Coal Creek with a time of ninety-one point forty-five. In second was Jack Thornton on Bandit from Coal Creek with a time of ninety-one point forty-six. Next was a tie for third between Laura Smith on Goldie from Chestnut Ridge and Doug Burke on Ghost from Coal Creek with a time of ninety-one point forty-seven. They were followed by Carrie Martin on Arrow from Larkin Hill Stables of Schuylerville with a time of ninety-one point fifty. She was followed by Ryan Doyle on Ember from WindRock Farms of Burlington Flats with a time of ninety-one point fifty-three. Next was James Johnson on Jack Frost from Riverdale Riding Academy with a time of ninety-one point seventy-five. Then it was Finn Thompson on Beetlejuice from Phoenix Rising Stables of Oneonta with a time of ninety-one point seventy-seven. Last was Elliot Wright on Lady Luck from Cedar Crest Farms with a time of ninety-one point eighty.

When the jumpoff riders were announced, Jack was just a bit happy that none of them were from Sugar Creek. He was also glad that Oliver Kennedy had been suspended. Jack was also glad that Connor Walker had not shown up. He knew that Connor had been registered, so Jack wondered if Oliver getting suspended had something to do with Connor not showing up. Either way, it was nice to not have to worry about either of them that day. The following weekend in Albany would be telling to see what happened. While Oliver was suspended for the rest of the season, Jack wondered if Connor would show up next week. He was going to worry about it at that moment because he had enough to think about.