Chapter 336 – Hudson River Classic part 3

The preliminary group ended up with thirty-five jumpers. Because it had taken so long for the first group and they were larger then anticipated, the show was running about about thirty-five minutes behind schedule. Most jumpers didn't mind, but Jack was getting antsy. He knew that they were going back to the ranch for a family Mass before he was going to have some alone time with Elizabeth again.

For the preliminary group, only thirteen jumpers made the jumpoff and it came down to the last rider to determine the winner. It was a good class and Maddie and Missy had watched intently from the stands. Watching how much more competitive the class was, they agreed that they had made the right decision to stay in modified at least one more year. They knew that most of the preliminary class jumpers were thirteen and fourteen with some fifteen year old as well. It was really Jack's class of jumpers that had a wide age range. Fifteen year olds could jump intermediate if they were going to turn sixteen before the fall finale and anyone who hadn't jumped advanced up to age twenty-five could jump in their group. Nathan wasn't going to have a choice, but to jump advanced if he was going to jump the next year. But it only made sense as Jack would probably move up as well. Doug would do whatever Jack did. It might mean that the twins and the guys were at different shows, but it was what it was.

By the time that the course had been reset for the intermediate class, they had made up about ten minutes of time, so while they were still running behind, it wasn't so bad. It helped that not as many jumpers had made the jump off for the second class. The guys had watched some of the competition as they knew that the preliminary class course was close to their own and they wanted to see where the trouble spots were. Most of the jumpers had a problem with the water jump and seven jump by the tree. Jack was sure that the seven jump was because the shadows were dancing around as there was a good breeze out on the course.

As Jack, Doug and Nathan stood at the in gate waiting to go walk the course, not only did they notice the paparazzi that was around, but Jack also saw both Connor Walker and Oliver Kennedy. Both boys glared at Jack and his friends. Jack wanted to shut both of them up so hard, but he had promised to be good. He had to keep telling himself that he was an adult and they were just teenagers. Jack looked around before they walked the course and realized that they had a big class as well. It was over forty jumpers. Jack didn't have a final count as he hadn't been paying attention. He knew that he could ask, but it really didn't matter to him how many jumpers there were, he had a job to do and that was all he could control.

As the boys were walking the course, the announcer came on.

"Welcome again to everyone." The announcer said. "Just wanted to give you a few facts about this jumping class. We have a total of forty-seven jumpers in this class. They represent twenty-three different farms/ranches/stables. That is the most places we have had a the Hudson River Classic. So good job everyone on growing our show. There is going to be some stiff competition today as we have the last two winners of the fall finale for our region. They would be JP Thornton on Bandit from Coal Creek of Saratoga Springs who won two years ago and last year's winner, Karry Polansky on Cloud Dancer from Cedar Crest Farms of Middle Falls. Karry has been sidelined with an injury most of the season, but has come back to jump for the first time this weekend. She won this event last year. We wish all the jumpers good luck as they go today."

… … … …

"That is cool that she came back to jump here again." Elizabeth said as they watched the guys walking the course.

"Yes." Trish said. "But it is going to be stiff competition like he said. Forty-seven jumpers is a lot. I bet at least twenty-five make the jumpoff. This has been a hard class all season. While the guys have done well, it hasn't been easy for them to win each week."

"Very true." Gran said. "Looking over the riders, we have seem most of them at every show this summer. There are only a few that I don't recognize from this summer."

"I agree." Katie said. "The guys have their work cut out for them, but at the same time, I am confident that they will not only make the jumpoff, but they will all be in the top five if not the top three."

"I am thinking it is going to be close." Gran said. "But I think they take the top three again."

"I am not sure." Elizabeth said. "I think Jack is distracted today. I hope they do well and no one gets hurt. It is still hard to watch a rider fall and there were a few today."

"It doesn't get any easier when it your kid out there." Trish said. "One day you will know."

"I am sure." Elizabeth said. "While I am looking forward to watching our kids jump, I am dreading it at the same time."

The group continued to talk and visit as the guys walked the course. Gran got a text that Father Mark had arrived and was down with the guys. She was glad that he had come, even if he had missed the girls jumping. They understood and were just glad that he came.

… … … …

Doug walked the course three times before he went back to the trailer to cool off a little before he jumped, especially since he was so early in the order. Nathan stayed with Jack, just because both troublemakers were there. Jack walked the course five times and still wasn't happy with certain spots. He had made a lot of notes and spoke to officials at a few different spots. He had asked about the water jump and a couple of other spots. He looked at the spot Maddie had pointed out. He walked through it several times and agreed that the ground there was pretty soft, but they wouldn't be going over there, but at the same time he was worried about the water spreading toward the number six jump or even the landing zone of the number two jump. The officials went over there and agreed that it was a bit soft, so had the grounds crew put down more diamond dust. Jack knew that there was a limited amount that they could do, but at the same time, the ground was getting chewed up and he was worried about someone getting hurt. He had voiced his concerns and that was all he could do.

Finally when they cleared the field, Jack went into the trailer and pulled our his sketchbook and went through his routine of drawing things out. He had told Doug to let him know when it was close to his time as he was staying in the trailer for a bit. Doug agreed because he knew that even if Jack was going through his routine, he would want to see him jump. While Doug was cooling off, he left Jack to go through his routine knowing that he hadn't had the the time to study before like he normally did.

Nathan came in and sat with Doug for a bit before they went out to talk about the course since they didn't want to disturb Jack. They both knew that he was in a bit of a mood and they were sure that he wasn't one hundred percent head in the game. They had tried to talk to him, but he had assured both of them that he was fine to jump. Both had seen him in his own head several times. They weren't sure why he was so distracted, but they knew that his attention was split. They had done what they could to protect him. They were almost ready to say something to James, but at the same time neither wanted to further upset Jack. They would wait and see how he was closer to when it was time for him to jump.

… … … …

By the time that it was Doug's turn to jump, there had only been three clear rounds as a lot of the jumpers were having trouble with the water jump. The three clear rounds were in first place Carrie Martin of Larkin Hills Stable and her horse Arrow with a time of eighty-one point sixty-two. In second was Zachary Thompson with Brownie from Lucky Star Ranch with a time of eighty-one point sixty-nine and then it was Daniel Williams with Odin from Bristol Hills Farm with a time of eighty-one point seventy-four. Doug knew that as long as he posted a good time with a clear round he was going to be in good shape. As he moved on the course, Jack and Nathan stood at the in gate to watch. They both wanted to see how Doug did knowing that many jumpers were having trouble with the water.

Doug took his time showing Ghost around before he was ready to start. Doug finally brought Ghost up to a fast canter and went through the start timer and over the first jump and then he quickly moved to the double oxer at two. He went the long way to three, while also picking up some speed. He easily cleared the water jump at three, with Ghost's longer legs and the speed that he had picked up. He landed and barely broke stride as he went around the last jump to get to four. He let Ghost run through four and the triple combination at five. He then quickly came back around the pond to the sixth jump and galloped to seven. Once he landed at seven, he swung out to be in line for the double combination at eight. Doug easily cleared eight with room to spare. He lined up for nine and while Ghost wanted to run, he held him back until they landed the ninth jump, then Doug let him gallop at full speed across the field. They cleared eleven and turned for the last jump and finish timer. Again, Doug let Ghost gallop as the horse wanted to run and last jump was a nice easy oxer. Once they had cleared the timer, Doug turned and looked at the board. Once again a smile broke out across his face as he had easily moved into first place with a time of eighty-one point forty-six.

Doug came off the course and made a face at Jack as he went by. While Doug knew that Jack had been in his own head, a little teasing that he was in first was well worth any trouble it would cause later. Doug knew that he always had a chance to beat Jack, but it hadn't happened in years and he was fine with it. He only jumped because he could and it was something that he had did to be with Jack. It wasn't about the winning for Doug it was about the fun he had with one of his best friends. Everyone pretty much knew that if Doug took something seriously like Jack did he would be unstoppable, but it wasn't exactly in Doug's nature to take much seriously. He had always been the fun, laid-back, talkative one of their trio. They all knew that Jack was the quiet leader while it was Lee who kept them organized and on time.

… … … …

Jack shook his head as Doug made a face at him. He fully expected it when Doug rode before him and was in first place. He was going to give it to him and just let it be as Jack knew he had to focus on his own riding. While Doug had made it look easy, it wasn't an easy course. Jack had already seen some great riders fault. He was just a little bit happy that Connor Walker who had ridden third, had landed in the water. As much as Jack never wanted to wish bad on another rider, inside was glad when Connor messed up and was out of contention. Jack felt it was what he deserved for being the smart ass he had been at the Classic.

"Let's go back to the trailer." Nathan said. "Lots of riders still to to go and I have to go warm up Athena."

"Let's go." Jack said. "When do you ride again?"

"Eighteen." Nathan said. "I already saddled Athena before I came to watch Doug."

They walked back to the trailer and were meet by Marco who was bringing Athena to Nathan. Jack gave Nathan a leg up, not that he really needed it with his long legs, but it did make things a bit easier. Nathan took Athena to the warm up pens, while Jack continued to the trailer.

"Please let me know when it is closer to Nathan's turn." Jack said. "I want to look over things some more."

"I will let you know." James said.

"Thank you." Jack said.

Jack went in the trailer and James turned to Doug.

"Is he alright?" James asked.

"Sort of." Doug said. "He has been in his head a bit more than usual, but he insists that he is fine."

"Thank you for telling me." James said. "I will check with him before he rides."

"Good." Doug said. "I think he is worried about not only the press, but I think he is realizing that things really are different."

"Marriage will do that." James said, shaking his head.

While James and Margaret were happy that their grandson was happy, they knew that getting married young was not easy and their parents weren't making it any easier. They knew that all they could do was pray for their grandson and new granddaughter. They hoped that it was enough, but they had not chosen an easy road. It would have been hard no matter what, given the amount of responsibility that Jack had taken on, but trying to balance being a newlywed and going to school full time while also keeping up on two massive businesses was more then James thought his grandson could handle. He knew that he was going to continue to run the day to day things at Coal Creek, but with Jack ultimately in charge, he had to be kept in the loop about things and Jack wasn't the greatest about being hands off and letting people do their jobs.

James sat down as Doug took care of Athena before joining them. Father Mark and Frank joined them after a moment. No one said anything about Jack hiding in the trailer, but they just talked about the competition and how things had been going so far. They also talked a little about Doug's run and what the jump off was going to look like. They had all been thinking that it was going to be a massive jumpoff, but now they weren't sure. Father Mark was still thinking it would be around twenty jumpers while Frank was thinking it was going to be closer to fifteen. James was pretty sure that it would be over twenty jumper just given the number of jumpers total.

… … … …

By the time that it was Nathan's turn there had four more clear rounds for a total of eight from the first seventeen jumpers. Doug was still in first place. Behind him was David Bruno with Roma from Cavalli Farms with a time of eighty-one point fifty-five. That pushed Carrie to third. As Nathan went out on the course, Jack and Doug came closer to the in gate. They had watched both riders immediately before Nathan post clear rounds. Jack was suddenly thinking that maybe it course wasn't as hard as he had thought was going to be. He knew that the water jump was still going to be a problem as were the shadows. He watched as Nathan took Athena around a bunch of jumps just so he could see how the shadows were. With the two big trees on the course it was hard, especially with a nice breeze causing the shadows to dance a bit. Jack noticed that the number seven jump seemed to be a potential trouble spot depending on what the shadows did, at least they were red rails, so it might be easier to pick up even with the dancing shadows.

Nathan was taking his time showing Athena around, but she just was antsy and wanted to go. He was having a hard time controlling her. So he stopped near the shadow of the large tree over by the number seven jump and leaned down. He patted her neck and cooed to her that he would let her run, but had to get through one and two first. Athena whinnied and bobbed her head as if she understood what Nathan was saying. He gave her one more pat and then brought her up to a canter so he could come around and start his run.

Nathan went through the start timer and over the first jump and Athena took one and half strides before launching them over the double oxer at two. As soon as she landed, Nathan felt her shift and he had a hard time holding her back, so he just did his best to direct her to where he wanted to run. As soon as they were lined up for the water jump, Athena hit her full stride and cleared with water jump with six inches to spare. Nathan tried to slow her down, but she was at a full gallop at they head around for the fourth jump then the triple combination. Nathan felt like he had barely blinked and was turning back for the sixth jump. He cleared it and Athena went back to full extension to get to seven. They took the first part of eight at an angle and Athena corrected herself without taking a full stride to clear the second part. They did have a bit of a rub, but it stayed. Nathan was able to turn Athena to line up for nine and ten. Again, he had a hard time holding her back, so let her gallop across the field. As soon as they landed at eleven, it was like Athena knew to turn and head to the last jump. Nathan barely had to do anything other than hold on. After they had cleared the finish timer, he looked over at the board and smiled as he saw he had moved into first place with a time of eighty-one point forty flat. He knew that Jack was going to have a hard time beating him, but at least both Nathan and Doug were through to the jumpoff. They had done the first part of their jobs and it was up to Jack to do his.

Nathan came off the field, with a large smile still on his face. Again Jack just shook his head. As Nathan jumped down to walk Athena back to the trailer, Jack and Doug came over.

"Showoff." Jack teased.

"You didn't think I was just going to hand it to you." Nathan teased back.

"No." Jack said. "But I didn't think you try to make it impossible either. It was like her hooves barely touched the ground. She was flying out there."

"I know." Nathan said. "I would have preferred to have gone a little slower because there was a couple places I thought we were going to lose it."

"You know how much air you got on that water jump." Doug said, excitedly.

"I wasn't really paying attention." Nathan said. "I was trying not to fall off."

Doug laughed.

"You worry too much." Doug teased.

Nathan shook his head and just kept walking. He really didn't understand how Doug could be so laid back about things. When they got back to the trailer, Nathan took Athena to get some water. That was when Marco came over.

"You did a good job." Marco said. "But you are going to have to learn to control her a bit more or you are going to get hurt. I honestly don't know how Laura did it, but you need to figure it out."

"I know." Nathan said. "Most days she is fine at practice, but it is like when we get to a show, she only has two speeds – fast and faster."

"I noticed." Marco said. "But I thought I needed to say something, you know as you coach and all."

"I understand." Nathan said. "But this is our last show, so I am not all that worried about it. If we decided to jump next year, I hope I am able to figure it out. Either way, it has been a fun summer and I love this horse."

"Good." Marco said. "Because she seems to love you. The only person she has ever been like that with before was Laura. She wasn't even like that for Jack or Father Mark."

Nathan nodded.

… … … …