Chapter 333 – Hudson River Classic part 1

Doug texted Jack to let him know that Maddie and Missy were jumping fourteenth and nineteenth. He also let them know that they didn't register him, but he and Nathan were jumping tenth and eighteenth. Doug got a text back to register him and he would let them know when he was on the way. Doug smiled and showed the text to James who went to register Jack. Doug was hoping that Jack would be there by the time that the girls jumped, but they would understand if he didn't make it. He wasn't going to say anything, just in case Jack and Elizabeth made it watch them jump. He knew that the girls were excited as this was the most that they had jumped in a summer. They were even more excited as Marco said he would petition to let them move up a level next year with how well they were doing.

Nathan sat with Maddie and Missy going over the course sheets until the announcement was made that they could walk the course. Maddie asked Nathan to go with them and he agreed. Doug decided to go as well because he wanted to get a look at the course, even though he knew that it would be different. Marco and Carlo stayed back at the trailers, while Andy went up to get a look at the course as well.

As they walked the course, it looked pretty straight forward. There was a large water jump, but it wasn't on the girls course and Doug wondered if it was on theirs, as he hadn't really looked at the course sheet. Nathan mentioned that they did have the water jump. Doug realized that there were certain things that couldn't be moved and they had to work around. Maddie and Nathan walked the course three times before she was happy with things. She was stressing and Doug knew it. It was one of the times that he wished Jack was there because he was so good at calming her down, but it looked like Nathan was doing a good job of it, so Doug was going to leave it alone. Missy walked the course a couple of times, made a couple notes about the color of rails, but agreed that the course looked straight forward, she was only worried about a couple of spots. One was going by the large water jump as it was open. Bubbles still didn't really like water. She was also worried about going around the tree and the shadows. It was still early, but the shadows can change. Doug reminded her to check it out during her warm up and she would be fine.

The girls jumped early, considering that there were a total of thirty-seven jumpers in their class. They had hoped to jump later, but at least they would be able to watch a few jumpers before they went. All they could do was their best and hoped that it stood up. Nathan knew that Maddie was worried about jumping early and he tried to tell her that it didn't matter where she jumped, she just needed to do her best and get a clear round and the rest would take care of itself. That helped a little. At least all the clear rounds would be going to the jumpoff. Doug mentioned in the past that only the top so many went, but they had changed the rules to be more like the FEI shows where all the clear rounds go through.

… … … …

Jack and Elizabeth left with Devin with the hopes to get there to see Maddie and Missy jump. They had lingered at the hotel longer than they had planned after deciding to go to the show. By the time that Devin and the rest of security were ready, it was a bit later than everyone had planned. Jack really wanted to see the girls jump, but if he missed the first round, it wasn't the biggest deal. He knew that they would probably make the jumpoff and they would be there to see that. As Jack and Elizabeth sat in the back of the town car, they talked about a few things on the twenty minute drive.

"So." Jack said. "I looked at the weather forecast for the area we are going to. It looks like there is a chance of rain Sunday night and most of Monday. I plan on taking my laptop and you should probably take yours. I am not sure what they have for indoor activities, but if you want to take the game that you bought, we can do that. Especially with us going back to the ranch for Mass with Father Mark before going to the hotel tonight."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I was planning on taking my laptop anyway. They have wi-fi in the cabins. The rain shouldn't matter too much. I am sure we can find plenty to do, but I do like the idea of bringing some games."

Elizabeth smiled up at Jack and he leaned down and kissed her.

"I am sure we can find ways to keep busy." Jack teased.

"I am sure." Elizabeth said. "But that was not the point of this conversation."

"I know." Jack said. "But last night was pretty good."

"Yes, it was." Elizabeth said. "But I really don't want to talk about it right now, because we won't be able to do anything about it until much later tonight."

"We could go in the trailer and lock the door." Jack said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Elizabeth smacked Jack's chest.

"Behave." Elizabeth said. "It is bad enough everyone is going to know what we did. I am not sneaking into the trailer with your grandparents and everyone else there."

"I suppose." Jack teased with a mock pout.

"Behave." Elizabeth said, kissing Jack.

"I promise I will try." Jack said.

"I guess I will have to take that." Elizabeth said, shaking her head.

"So did you still want to take those outside trips in Minnesota?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I think if it is raining on Monday, we can go to the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center as those are both indoors. I am not sure about the mine, as it looks like some of it is outside and I don't know if it is raining."

"So we can do two in one day." Jack said.

"Yes." Jack said. "Then we can look and see about doing those on Monday, especially if it is raining. Then we can do the other later in the week."

"Sounds good." Elizabeth said. "But personally, I just want to spend time with you. We can lay in the sun or splash in the water or just sit."

"Okay." Jack said. "I know that there will be other people around, but it looks like our cabin is pretty secluded. And we have a deck, so that would be great. I know that the sunrises and sunsets over a lake can be amazing. At least I am assuming they are, since they are over the ocean."

"Good point." Elizabeth said. "From the pictures, it looks like the views are great."

"It does look beautiful." Jack said. "I am already thinking we are going to have to go back at some point. I think it would be fun for us all to go. You and I can get a cabin. Doug, Lee, Nathan and Frank can get another one. It might be fun to take Nathan's niece along as well."

"That sounds like fun." Elizabeth said. "It does look very kid friendly. Maybe we can take our kids there one day."

"Our kids." Jack said. "I like the sound of that, but I told you I am not going to pressure you."

"I know." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for that. But it is going to happen and we need to be ready."

"Okay." Jack said. "I told you we can get help and we both can look at our school schedules."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I am not going to worry about it, but I also want to be ready for when it does happen."

"I get that." Jack said. "Maybe by the next time that we go, there will be other women that will be going with us."

"You setting one of the guys up with someone?" Elizabeth asked.

"No." Jack said. "But they could meet their significant other at school."

"True." Elizabeth said.

They talked a little more about a few things as they rode alone in the back seat. Their discussion was peppered with light kisses, but even that had lit a fire in both Jack and Elizabeth.

… … … …

As Maddie sat at the in gate, she watched Josh Miller from Sloan Court Academy post a new best time of seventy-four point sixty-one. The previous best time had been Hannah Moore from Pierce Point Riding Club who had posted a time of seventy-four point seventy-four just before Josh had ridden. With Josh posting a fast time, it pushed Holly Green of Larkin Hills Stable, the hosts, to third with a time of seventy-four point seventy-nine. Maddie was a little concerned because there were already seven clear rounds in the first thirteen riders. Nathan stepped up to Maddie before she went on course.

"You are fine." Nathan said. "You don't need the fastest time this round, you need a clean round. So stay clean and worry about time second. You got this, you are a great rider. Now go show us."

"Okay." Maddie said, clicking to Bubbles.

She took a deep breath and used all of her warm up time to show Bubbles around and check out the shadows. She finally brought Bubbles up to a fast canter to start her round. As Maddie was bringing Bubbles up to a canter, Jack and Elizabeth stepped up next to Nathan, hand in hand.

"You made it." Nathan said.

"Barely." Jack said. "But we are here. As soon as Maddie jumps, I will take Elizabeth up to the family."

"She is nervous." Nathan said. "Seven clear rounds in the first thirteen jumpers."

"I heard." Jack said. "She will be fine, you gave her great advice. You handled her really well."

"Thank you." Nathan said.

Jack moved Elizabeth so he could wrap his arm around her and hold her hand at her stomach. Their intertwined hands rested on Elizabeth's waistband of her jeans. Jack heard several shutters click as he knew that the paparazzi were snapping pictures of them. As much as he hated it, he also knew that it was worthless to try and fight it. It was going to be what it was. He held Elizabeth close as they watched Maddie ride. Nathan looked over and smiled at the two of them. Doug stood there as well and he noticed Jack and Elizabeth and smiled as well. He knew better than to say anything as Jack was watching Maddie jump so he could talk to her about her round later.

… … … …

Maddie brought Bubbles up to a quick canter and went over the first jump easily, she then cleared the double at two and cut in front of the water jump to get to the third jump with she took at an angle. She had a good rub, but the rail stayed up. She did go around the last jump to line up for the double at four and the triple combination at five. She flew through them, giving Bubbles his head to run. She landed after the last part of five and went around the tree for six. Again, she was giving Bubbles a bit of his head to run. She cleared six easily and started to relax just a fraction as she knew she was great on time. As she cleared at seven, where the landing zone was between the fourth and fifth jumps, she was almost at full gallop. As she crossed the field to the eighth jump, Bubbles wanted to run, she let him. As she landed at eight, she cut sharp and galloped to nine and the finish.

When she crossed the finish timer, she looked up and a huge smile came across her face as she was in first place. She had a great time, but she also knew that her sister could catch her if she really let Squeak run as the horses were very evenly matched. When Maddie saw the time of seventy-four point fifty-one, she was so happy as she had a full one tenth of a second on the nearest person. That was a lot of time in show jumping, especially when most competitors were less then one-hundredth of a second apart. The other thing was that Maddie had shown that it could be done and those with courage and a good relationship with their horse could knock her out of first place, but it was going to take a tremendous effort for that to happen. She wasn't sure who other than her sister had the ability to do, but she knew that there were still a lot of great jumpers still to come.

Maddie came off the course and smiled as she saw Jack and Elizabeth standing there. She rode over to where they were with Nathan and Doug. James, Marco and Andy were standing just off to the side of her brother and his friends.

"Great job, Maddie." Elizabeth said.

"Yes, great job." Jack said. "That is some amazing riding. You keep that up and you are going to be able to me soon."

"I don't think so." Maddie said, ducking her head.

"You never know." Jack said. "I am getting old and slowing down."

Nathan and Doug laughed. Maddie laughed as well as she realized that Jack was teasing, at least in part. The compliment about her riding was real.

"Go cool off Bubbles and come back to watch your sister." James said.

"Yes, Grandpa." Maddie said.

Maddie trotted off to cool off Bubbles, before coming back to watch her sister jump.

"Glad you made it." James said, to Jack and Elizabeth.

"Me too." Jack said. "I was glad I got to see Maddie jump. Sorry we were a little late."

"No problem." James said. "Your number and course sheets are in the trailer. I will let you do what you want."

James pointed out where everyone was sitting before going to check on Missy.

"I am going to take Elizabeth up to the family." Jack said.

"Okay." Nathan said. "We are going to go back and wait until Missy jumps."

"She is nineteen, right?" Jack asked.

"Yep." Doug said. "Rider fifteen is on course now."

"Got it." Jack said.

Jack and Elizabeth walked off hand in hand toward the stands. Again, Jack heard the click of shutters as they walked. He knew that security was around. He was also sure that after the arrests of several members of the press in the last few weeks by his grandfathers, that they would at least keep their distance. Or at least Jack hoped that they would. He didn't want another instance like what happened at the track.

When they got up the group, Jack greeted everyone. Elizabeth followed suit and found a spot to sit next to Katie who was sitting in front of Trish and Gran. Jack look at Elizabeth as she took a seat.

"Are you sure that you are going to be okay up here?" Jack asked. "I wouldn't mind if you came and sat at the trailer with me."

"I understand." Elizabeth said, standing back up. "But I want you to focus on jumping. I don't want you to get hurt. So please can we treat this like we have every other show."

"Okay." Jack said. "I just thought I would offer."

"I know." Elizabeth said. "But here is a kiss for good luck."

Elizabeth gave Jack a quick kiss.

"Thank you." Jack said. "I will talk to you after the show."

"See you later." Elizabeth said. "I have my phone and I like watching the jumpers, so go do what you need."

"Love you." Jack said.

"Love you." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth sat back down as Jack walked away. She really did want to hang out at the trailer with him, but she also didn't want to be a distraction to him. The last thing that she wanted was for him to fall again and get hurt. It would really put a kink in their plans for Minnesota.

After Jack walked away, Katie leaned over.

"How are you this morning?" Katie asked.

"A bundle of emotions." Elizabeth said. "But I wrote quite a bit in my journal this morning. It helped me to sort through things I was feeling. I didn't think I would feel so different coming here today, but I do. I don't know if it is because I am become more aware of the media, but I noticed more of the photographers today, especially as Jack and I stood there and watched Maddie jump. I couldn't even count the number of photos that they took."

"It is okay." Katie said. "They can take all the pictures that they want. You haven't done anything wrong. Just because they have a picture, doesn't mean that they have the story."

"I know." Elizabeth said. "But it was just that I was so much more aware of them today."

"And that is not necessarily a bad thing." Katie said. "Being aware of them, can help you from getting into a compromising position. Jack has usually always been very aware of the paparazzi, which is why he prefers to stay where he knows people."

"I am starting to understand that." Elizabeth said. "I really hope we don't have a problem with them this week."

"Me too." Katie said. "But as long as you don't advertise where you are, it should be good."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I want to post pictures, but I might wait until we get back to the city."

"That is a good plan." Katie said. "Or post vague pictures where people can't identify where you are. Like a picture of you on a beach or walking on a trail or whatever. Make sure that if you do post, there are no buildings or signs behind you."

"Got it." Elizabeth said. "We were looking at the weather this coming week and it looks like it might be hit or miss with rain a couple of days."

"That will happen." Katie said. "But I am sure that there will be plenty of things to do."

"I know." Elizabeth said. "We have a couple of day trips to area attractions planned and will probably do those if it rains."

"See, plenty to do." Katie said. "Just know that I am phone call away and if you need anything, I will around."

"You are headed back to the city?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, tomorrow." Katie said. "I am excited to see the kids again. They have missed us and we have missed them, but they have had a great summer with their grandparents."

"That is good." Elizabeth said. "I am sure they did."

"I love my parents." Katie said. "They even took the kids back to school shopping so I don't have to."

"That is awesome." Elizabeth said. "I ordered some things off Amazon to have delivered to the apartment, because there are only certain types of pens and pencils that I like and I knew that I would need some notebooks. I figured it was easier to just order stuff then try and figure it out once we get back to the city."

"Very true." Katie said. "How are you doing on clothes?"

"I have plenty." Elizabeth said. "It is going to be sorting through things when I get back and see what I will need as they weather gets cooler, but I have plenty of things for now."

"Good." Katie said. "Just let me know and we can figure something out."

"I will." Elizabeth said.

Katie and Elizabeth stopped talking as they saw Missy at the in gate, so they turned to watch her jump.

… … … …