Chapter 297 – Schenectady Show part 2 (long)
The guys didn't watch any of the class before them as they wanted to stay cool and relax. When it was announced that they could start walking the course in five minutes, Jack grabbed his clipboard and headed to the in gate. Doug, Nathan, James and Marco weren't far behind him. The moment that they could go out there, Jack started his routine. Doug and Nathan walked the course a couple of times and found a line that they thought would work and give them the best time. Doug headed back to sit in the shade. Nathan stuck around and watched Jack. He was still amazed at how much Jack worked to find just the right line and he must have walked the course five or six times making notes before he was happy. When it was announced to clear the field, Jack and Nathan left even though Jack would have loved another five minutes. Nathan had been looking at the other jumpers when he was keeping an eye on Jack. Of the twenty-two other jumpers, Nathan only recognized about half of them from the last couple of shows. He knew that they had looked at everyone's best times and Jack assured them that if they could just ride clean, they would be fine.
Once Jack and the crew got back to the trailers, Jack looked at both Doug and Nathan.
"Watch the landing at nine." Jack said. "It is going to be a tight cut back to ten."
"I saw that too." Doug said.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
Jack didn't say anything else, but just went to sit inside and go through his routine. Doug and Nathan left him to be and sat in the shade to go over the course sheet and see if there was anything else that they needed to be careful with. They knew that the hard packed ground was going to be difficult to turn on and that the horse's hooves might have a tendency to slip, even with a good set of shoes. When Doug went to warm up, Nathan knocked on the trailer.
"Come in." Jack called.
"Doug just went to warm up." Nathan said. "I thought I would let you know."
"Thank you." Jack said. "Have you heard the best time yet?"
"Sixty four ninety even by Oliver Kennedy of Sugar Creek." Nathan said.
"Sixty-six is the number so not bad." Jack said. "But we can do better. I will be out in a few minutes."
"Okay." Nathan said.
Nathan left Jack and went to make sure that Athena was saddled as he wanted her to be ready before he went to watch Doug jump. He knew that Jack wasn't happy that the kid from Sugar Creek was in first place, but it was what it was. They also knew that Connor was jumping at some point as well. They were actually surprised that he was here, but then when they had announced that they were coming to this show, Jack was not surprised that the kid wanted to be here. Jack finished up what he was doing and then checked Bandit and rode him over to sit and watch Doug run.
By the time that Jack got to the in gate with Bandit, Doug was waiting to go in. Jack didn't say anything to Doug, but looked at his grandfather.
"Best time still the same?" Jack asked.
"Yes." James said.
"Okay." Jack said.
Jack sat there and watched the rider before Doug go and drop a rail on the double at eight. He knew that it was a tight line if you didn't want to have to cut too tight on nine for the turn back. Just as Doug went in, Nathan rode up and sat next to Jack. He didn't say anything, but just sat there with his friend and watched his other friend get ready to jump. Doug showed Ghost a couple of the rails and then moved to bring him up to a canter. Doug sailed over the plank at one and then cut the corner around four close to get to two. He easily cleared the double oxer then cut between seven and ten to come back for the fence at three. Doug easily made the fence and let Ghost stretch out to four and then quickly cut to make the turn to loop around for five. Once he had cleared five, Doug again let Ghost open his stride as they headed to six. He cleared six and then cut sharply back to take the double at seven at an angle. He gave the bar a hard rub, but it stayed up. Again, Doug turned sharply to cut back to eight and nine.
Again, Doug rubbed the bar at eight, but it stayed up. He landed at nine and went a bit wider to line up for ten as he wasn't going to test his luck with a hard rub a third time. Once Doug had cleared at ten, he opened up to eleven. Once Doug had cleared the timer, he looked up and saw that he was in first place. A huge smile broke out across Doug's face. He knew that it was going to be hard because there were nine jumpers after Nathan, but at the moment he would take what they had. Doug had laid down a time of sixty-four point seventy-one, which put him in first place by almost three tenths of a second. Jack knew that other than him and Nathan, there weren't really any other riders skilled enough to do it. Jack breathed a sigh of relief and then looked at Nathan.
"Let's go warm up." Jack said.
Jack turned Bandit to go warm up, he didn't give Nathan a chance to respond. Nathan shook his head and turned Athena to follow Jack and Bandit. The two warmed up with others, but didn't speak to anyone. Jack was running the course in his head and Nathan was watching Jack. He wondered if James hadn't been on to something and Jack was taking on too much. All Nathan knew was that he was going to have to sit Jack down and get him to talk about what was going on. Even if he didn't want to share, he needed to at least give them (Doug, Lee, Frank and himself) a clue of what was going on so they could help him. Nathan had a feeling that Father Mark knew what was going on, but Nathan also knew that Father Mark was struggling with things as well. He wasn't sure exactly what was bothering the young priest, but there definitely was something.
Once Jack felt he was warmed up enough, he headed to the in gate. Nathan was right behind him. The thirteenth rider was on course and fourteen was waiting. They knew that Connor jumped after them as Nathan had seen him come to the warm up rings as they were leaving. As they were sitting there, both Jack and Nathan independently said a prayer.
Both wanted to do well, but it was more for Jack as he knew that a fall on the hard ground would be bad. Nathan knew better than to talk to Jack as he was in the zone and didn't want to break his concentration. They sat there and watched the riders finish clean but not in the top three. Doug was still in first, but Jack planned to knock him out.
Jack clicked to Bandit and moved him forward. He leaned down and spoke to the horse before entering the arena. He showed Bandit a few of the poles and the semi-solid fence. Jack rode around the outer perimeter looking everything over before he brought Bandit up to a canter and lined up for the first jump. Jack took a similar line that Doug had taken, but was just a bit tighter and he let Bandit run just a bit more then Doug had let Ghost. Jack cleared the rails with ease and only had one hard rub. Jack landed and cleared the timer. He looked up and saw that he was in first place by a few thousands of a second. Jack had set down a time of sixty-four point sixty-seven. Jack had a smile on his face as he came to sit and watch Nathan run.
Jack hadn't said anything to Nathan who nodded to Jack as he went into the arena. Nathan showed Athena a few rails. The mare wanted to run and Nathan was having a hard time holding her back. Once Nathan had brought Athena up to a canter, she was off and really wanted to run. He let her have as much head as he felt comfortable and she still wanted more. Nathan took a line similar to Doug and Jack. He was sailing through the jumps and before he knew it, he was halfway through the course. By the time that Nathan had finished and crossed the timer he could barely remember his ride. He looked up and a smile broke out across his face. He was in a dead tie with Jack. As Nathan came off, Jack looked at him and shook his head.
"Show off." Jack teased "You just had to tie."
"I was going for the outright win." Nathan teased back. "Now let's go cool these two off."
Nathan and Jack took their horses to cool them down and get them some water. They needed some water as well. Once the horses were taken care of, both Nathan and Jack went into the sitting area of the trailer and grabbed some water. Jack cranked the a/c and took a seat on the couch next to Nathan.
"Are we going to have to jumpoff?" Nathan asked.
"I was going to suggest that we share first." Jack said. "As long as you are okay with it."
"I don't mind." Nathan said.
"Good." Jack said, with a smile.
As they were cooling off, Doug came in to sit as well.
"Burr." Doug said, rubbing his arms.
"What?" Jack asked with a smirk.
"What did you set the temperature to?" Doug asked.
"Sixty-two." Jack said.
"You are crazy." Doug said.
"I can grab you a blanket if it is too cold for you." Jack teased.
Doug stuck his tongue out at Jack and slipped his jacket back on. Nathan just laughed at the two. He loved to listen to the banter back and forth.
"Was there something that you needed?" Nathan asked.
"It is the last few jumpers and James wants us to be by the in gate." Doug said. "You two are still top and I am right behind you."
"How did Connor do?" Jack asked.
"Dropped a rail going too fast." Doug said. "Oliver still in third behind you?"
"No some local kid." Doug said. "He beat Oliver by one one-thousands of a second."
"Good." Jack said.
"You shouldn't be so happy that he lost." Nathan reminded Jack.
"Sorry." Jack said. "After what they did, I would be pleased if they didn't get another ribbon all season."
"Jack!" Nathan said.
"What?!" Jack said, looking innocently at both.
Doug and Nathan shook their heads because there was a part of themselves that understood where Jack was coming from, but they also knew that he shouldn't be so open about it. As the guys came out of the trailer, James looked at them.
"Let's go to the in gate with the horses." James said. "There are two jumpers and you three are still on top."
The guys quickly saddled their horses and went close to the in gate to sit while the last two riders rode. To act as a buffer, Nathan and Doug kept Jack between them. They didn't want any trouble. Connor and Oliver were not far and they didn't want anything to happen. They also knew that with the way that Jack had been it wouldn't take much to set him off.
After the last two riders went and Nathan and Jack were still on top with Doug right behind, an event official came over to the boys.
"How do you want to do this?" She asked. "We can set a jumpoff up, but we weren't prepared for that and it could take a bit."
Nathan looked at Jack. James and Marco also looked at Jack. They knew that Jack had made a decision and was going to let him decide if he wanted to jump again.
"I am fine with sharing first with Nathan." Jack said. "Doug would be second and then the other rider would get third."
"Mr Grant." The official said.
"I am fine with it." Nathan said. "We already talked about it. We are completely fine sharing first as long as Doug is second."
The official looked at James and Marco.
"If that is what the boys decided." James said. "I am fine with it. They obviously talked about it. Besides, it is quite warm and it could stress the horses since they have been under cooling blankets."
"Then we will let them share it." The official said.
"Thank you." James said.
"That is not fair." Oliver said, rushing over. "They should jumpoff and all the top spots should be allowed to jumpoff to determine the winner."
Oliver rushing over yelling caused Bandit to rear up. Jack tried to control him, but was having a hard time. Nathan reached over to try and help control Bandit. Just as Jack fell, Nathan grabbed the reins. Jack was up and on his feet quickly, but Doug had jumped down and grabbed him, handing Ghost to Marco.
"Walk away." Doug implored Jack.
"Nathan, take the horses to the warm up ring." James ordered.
Nathan took all three horses and took them to the warm up pen and checked over Bandit. Oliver was still yelling and complaining. Jack was standing there, but he didn't look like himself. It wasn't long and John, Peter and Andrew were there along with a member of the local sheriff's department. They had seen Oliver rush Jack and Bandit rear up.
"Officer." John said. "I want Oliver Kennedy taken into custody for assault."
"What?!" Oliver screamed. "It is his own fault that he can't hold on to a horse."
"Officer." John said. "We all saw him rush up and that is why Bandit reared up. That horse is normally calm and he should know better to rush up to a horse."
"I agree." The officer said. "He should have known better rushing up to another horse."
"Do you really need to arrest him?" The official said.
John turned and glared at the official and that was when they saw Jack sitting over along the fencing. John and James rushed over to him. Doug, Peter and Andrew kept everyone else back. The only one they let through was the paramedic who had come over after being alerted.
"John Parker." James said.
Jack looked at his grandfathers and they could see something was wrong.
"Let me take a look at him." The paramedic said.
John turned to Peter.
"Get Chris to bring the extra car." John ordered. "Then clear the area."
"Yes, Sir." Peter said.
Peter, Doug and Andrew cleared the area. Peter also sent a text to Chris to come over with the car. He then texted Rob and Katie to get everyone else out of there and back to the ranch, he would update when he could about Jack. People were not happy about being pushed back. Peter sent Marco and Doug to go trailer the horses. Nathan felt conflicted and Doug could see it.
"Stay with Jack." Doug said. "We got the horses."
"Bandit seems fine." Nathan said. "And thank you. Keys to the truck are in the top of my tack case."
"Got it." Doug said.
… … … …
"Sir, can you tell me where it hurts?" The paramedic asked.
"He goes by Jack." John said.
"Jack." The paramedic said.
Jack looked at the paramedic, but he couldn't focus on him.
"I think he hit his head." The paramedic said.
"I agree." James said. "I have seen this before with a rider."
"Let's get him loaded up and we can take him to the local hospital." The paramedic said.
"No." John said. "The press had already gotten wind of this and my people say that the hospital had press and it is growing. I have had my guys call in a helicopter to take him to Albany where we can make sure he is secure."
"Are you sure?" The paramedic said.
"Yes." John said. "My grandson's safety is extremely important."
The paramedic just looked at John and James.
"I agree." Jack said. "No press."
"JP." James said. "Can you tell us where you are hurt?"
"I hit my shoulder and head when I fell." Jack said. "I am pretty sure I have a mild concussion and my shoulder really hurts. I don't think it is dislocated, but bruised for sure."
"Okay." James said. "Anything else."
"Please make sure Elizabeth knows that I am okay and where I am going." Jack said.
"I will make sure." Nathan said. "Especially since I am staying with you."
Everyone looked at Nathan.
"Don't look at me like that." Nathan said. "I was hired as close security for him."
"Of course." John said.
As the event officials cleared an area for the helicopter to land an announcement was made about who was the winner and that there wouldn't be an awards ceremony due to an injured rider at the in gate. The announcer apologized and asked people to make their way out of the stand and clear the area for emergency personnel. John's people had gotten everyone back over one hundred feet. They wanted to push them back further, but couldn't because the event officials wouldn't let them.
Andrew came up and tapped John on the shoulder.
"Sir." Andrew said.
"Yes." John said.
"The helicopter is five minutes out." Andrew said. "They are landing on the other side of the event grounds. They suggest that Jack be loaded in the ambulance and brought over. They also know that one security is coming as well."
"Okay." John said.
John then turned to the paramedic.
"Get him loaded up." John said. "Mr Grant will be going with you and will not let my grandson out of his sight."
"Understood." Nathan said.
"Okay." The paramedic said.
Nathan and the paramedic got Jack standing up. Nathan wrapped his arm around Jack middle and took his good arm and had him wrap it around his back so Nathan could help him walk to the ambulance. Nathan wasn't going to trust anyone else to help Jack at the moment when he could. As they walked away, James looked at John.
"They will be okay." John said. "Chris is already heading to Albany and will make sure that things are taken care of. Others will follow him there. I trust Andrew. He had put a plan in place in case something happened. The best thing we can do is head back to the ranch and reassure everyone that JP is fine. I am sure that Marco and Andy have already left with the horses."
"Correct, Sir." Andrew said. "As much as Elizabeth and Margaret protested, everyone was taken back to the ranch. Peter and I will take you two back. The horses have been checked and were fine. They are also on their way back. Doug took the truck that Nathan drove. They all went together and had security with them."
"Okay." James said.
After Jack and Nathan had left, an event official came over and handed James the ribbons the boys had won.
"I am sorry about your grandson." The official said.
"Apology accepted." James said. "But we probably won't be coming back in the future. This never should have happened."
"James!" John said.
"I mean it." James said. "They should have had something in place in case of a tie. It shouldn't have been up to the boys to suggest sharing and they should never have allowed Oliver Kennedy to rush up and scare JP's horse."
"Mr Kennedy was disqualified because of his actions." The official said. "Again, I am sorry that it happened. We hadn't even thought about the possibility of a tie."
James took the ribbons and walked away. Andrew followed him. John looked at the event official.
"I am not happy." John said. "You have put my grandson in jeopardy, but more than that he is probably going to have to miss the rest of the shows that he has signed up for. Be lucky you are not facing a lawsuit."
John then walked away with Peter following him. Once the four were at the car, they headed back to the ranch. As soon as Andrew had gotten underway, James picked up his phone and called his wife.
… … … …