Good Morning Everyone!
This photo is TOO CUTE! It’s my guy, Mike Smith, who helped us select the FINAL 4 for our ZENYATTA BRONZE CONTEST! Mike stopped by Dottie and John’s last night and held my reins in his hands…just like he did when we were racing. I think this definitely got him IN THE ZENYATTA MOOD to select our Final 4! This photo brings back great memories…for both Mike and I! We had lots of great times together!
The names of the FINAL 4 will be given…along with the thoughts each person expressed as to what I meant to he / she. Go to the bottom of this diary post and click the button next to the person whose entry you think deserves to win. Click the Vote button, and you’ll see the current results.
We will allow the voting to take place for one week. The winner will be announced next Wednesday, April 27th. John will look at the polls before he leaves for the barn that morning (5 o’clock in the morning, CA TIME) and the winner’s name will be posted.
The poll has been moved from the Facebook page to this website so that non-Facebook users may vote!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL 4 OF YOU!
ENTRY #1…..VICKI L. VINSON……APPLE VALLEY, CA I knew Zenyatta was “one” special horse the first time I saw her in person. She came over to me and stuck her nose right in front of my camera. That was before the ’08 Lady’s Secret. Little did I know that a year later she would become the best medicine in the world, in helping me through the worst time of my life. I’ll love you forever Zenyatta!
ENTRY #2…..VALERIE FRANKLIN….DAVISON, MI Zenny, you have made people believe in horse racing again. Our sport has suffered so much tragedy and in this time of economic disaster and with Barbaro and Eight Belles so fresh in our minds, you have given us a chance to escape and to dream. We love you more than you could ever quantify.
ENTRY #3…..GEORGIA HARPER…..BELLEVUE, WA My obsession began half way through your first year and such enthusiasm could not be ignored by my husband. After 49 years, my husband and I have become such good friends but are so busy with work and family we don’t always take time to actually think about one another. As a gift for our wedding anniversary last August, I received an email at work from my hubby with an itinerary attached for San Diego saying “Tickets for my queen to go see the Queen”. We not only had a wonderful day at Del Mar, never leaving the paddock and visiting with so many young people who had been there to see only you but we really enjoyed our time together. I’m not sure what we will do for our 50th this year, but I don’t think it will compete with the happiness we shared last year watching you come across the finish line and celebrating as best friends enjoying not just a horse race but watching the most magnificent thoroughbred ever. We miss you, we love you, and look forward to cheering on your foal.
ENTRY #4…..DAWN CONRAD…..CEDAREDGE, CO Dearest Zenyatta. “Why are you special to me?” Is it the stately stature of the Queen like carriage? Is it the glistening brown coat with the diamond dapples? Maybe it is the dance or those still moments with your head held high? Is it your intelligence and fathomless brown eyes? Was it your first run free or perhaps a camera-ride on the back of Pegasus? Is it posters in the stands, a warm crowd on a cold Kentucky night, the excitement you bought back to racing? Your place in its history and future, the Breeders Cup, 60 Minutes, Horse of the Year, Vox Populi Award? A Fred Stone portrait, Jamie Corum lithograph, Nina Kaiser bronze? The cheers I shouted the tears I shed? Certainly your beauty, power, grace, breathe taking speed, final kick, heart stopping finishes and 19/1. Absolutely your gut wrenching, never give up, try! It is all of this, yet more. It isn’t only who you are, but what you mean to each of us. With Team Z, you are Jerry and Ann’s pride and joy, John’s soul mate and patient masterpiece, Dottie’s muse and she your voice. Mike’s talent, guidance and prayers brought you home safe each race. At Barn 55, you had care from Mario, workouts with Steve, walks with Carmen, loving star struck visitors and kisses from all. At Lane’s End, paddock pals, peppermints, pears and precious motherhood. Your family embodies the word generosity and together you have been transformative. You give pure happiness to thousands. You are a horseman’s ideal, a child’s dream, a friend to charities, a moment of healing to someone ill, a smile in the face of sadness, a sweet memory to all those you meet and a wish of all those that you haven’t “including myself”. While totally unique, I see in you the memories of my youth: the Black Stallion, Flicka, Secretariat and my Cinder (a gift from a brother leaving for Vietman), live again. There were endless summer days of best friends, bareback rides, Breyer’s horses on the bedroom shelves and glorious Triple Crown winners. With you, I am that horse loving girl again. What fun! I have my own challenges in life, as everyone does. While I seek to remain positive there are those moments. You are there to lift my spirits and touch my soul. Your diary is a place of remarkable civility where information, support and all things Zenyatta are shared and celebrated. Facebook, over 70,000 and still counting! The experience has been once in a lifetime and continues to be a magical ride. In the end my love cannot be fully explained, it is simply heart felt and joyful. It is no mystery why the word “angel” is used to describe you, for you are a creation of God, a blessing to us all and a remarkable gift. For everything you are and everything you mean, Zenny, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly UNBELIEVEABLE! As always, sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
Wow! I hope you enjoyed reading these as much as I did! Dottie commented that she was literally in tears typing them for ME!
Vote for the ENTRY of YOUR CHOICE!
Blessings to All OF YOU who participated in this contest! I can’t THANK YOU ENOUGH for ALL OF THE LOVE AND KINDNESS you have shown ME!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Kitei
I meant emotionAL, sorry!
Kitei
Well, there is moderation here, and that’s why no one can yet see the post my correction refers to!
Kathy Kimber
Dear Zeny,
I’m wondering how you are doing. How are your gal pals, I really miss hearing about them. Spring is coming and you will certainly be loving that. Happy day to you and your “family” Peppermint wishes and pear kisses. Hugs
Trina Nagele
@Susan in TN—Loved the story about Prince Charles being boosted all the way over his horse–you really added a chuckle to today.
@Vicky B and Kitei–Thanks for the links to using horses for recycling collection in France. I wish we could do that here too.
@Shema–What a lovely word picture you drew of Zenyatta accompanying you in your mind’s eye on your otherwise solitary walks. I followed your lead and had Zenny clip-clopping alongside me yesterday on my daily walk. It was delightful!
Marilu V
@ L.S. – THANK YOU FOR YOUR LAST POST. You expressed just how I feel about Zenyatta’s privacy. I was so happy when I read Dottie and Ann said Zenyatta will have her priviacy. Jerry and Ann Moss only want what is best for Zenyatta – precious time for herself. We all love Zenyatta because she inspired us or made some dramatic impact in our lives.
IT IS OUR TURN TO GIVE BACK TO ZENYATTA WHAT SHE NEEDS RIGHT NOW – HER PRIVACY. In the past so many were getting ahead of themselves. I am old school and believe – the good news we are all anticipating should be kept in silence until the right time comes. Love you Zenyatta! Hugs, Marilu
carolyn
Please people listen to what L.S. just said, If you truly love queen Z then you have to give her this private time for the farm to get her in foal. You will have time soon enough to see her. Yes, some people have already gotten to see RA, but that was because her owner knew he didn’t have long to live and he wanted to give her fans closure before he passed, Zenyatta is a different story, she has already had one miscarriage, they are doing what is right for her, I expect they have already rebred her, I just believe if they have, they are going to wait and be sure before announceing it. I repect that because I don’t want to go through another heartbreak of hearing her losing another foal. Please, know that Lane’s End is the best, so they know what they are doing and they only have Zenyatta’s health at heart.
I look to hear some exciting news in a few weeks about her, So, we all love Zenny, so lets be patient and let nature take its course, keep our fingers crossed and pray for our Zenny. I know you all love her so much, and I truly miss her like we all do this year. we were spoiled to her for the past three years, Racing is so doggone empty without her. I just can’t believe how empty it is.. She gave us all so much, so many thrills, so much heartpounding joy and excitement, I know we will never have another Zenny, unless we see it in her foals. Gosh, I feel so sorry for the little thing and he/she hasn’t even been born yet and look at what we are expecting out of it, Maybe thats why nature is making us wait, we are expecting to much from this little one and he can’t be perfect because God already made his mother perfect when he gave her to us. So, lets calm down awhile , quit fussing with one another, and lets all be thinking what is going on behind those closed doors that we will be hearing about in time to come. Everyone , you all have a story or a poem, a posting to post on here, so lets all enjoy one anothers comments whether we agree with them or not. This is a community where we all get to come on here and do what we all do best, Love Zenny…
Deneen
@ Carolyn — Perfectly stated and agree with you 100%!!!!! Blessings and good wishes to Zenny, her family, Barn 55 and Lanes End — Love and Hugs to all!!! Have a wonderful day!!!!!
karen g
Gee, L.S. I’m one too who always enjoyed your posts. But how’d you get ALL that out of what I posted? You read minds too? Just commenting on LE own statements of fact, and was expressing MY feelings on said statements! Not judging the Mosses nor Dottie – can’t speak for them – maybe they agreed to this, WHO KNOWS? But his statements do make one ponder, do they not?
Kitei
BTW, I’m firmly resolved to be as neutral as possible, the “moderated” post I referred to above was informational, about equine therapy programs for vets & others. Maybe it will appear later (I hope). It did have a link to a cool prose-poem, too!
susan in tn
@ kitei: i saw that film” The Horse Boy”- i t was really good. i am really interested in stuff like that.
Deborah Richman
Kitei: “Horse Boy” sounds really interesting. Will add it to my list.
Have you read any of Temple Grandin’s books? She is the animal behaviorist who’s own autism enables her to better understand animals.
Shema
Dear Trina,
I’m thrilled to hear Zen imaginarily joined you on your walk. Doesn’t Zenny do imaginary walking well! I think she just does everything well! Just as I’m writing this I decided to imagine her out in my front yard, (I have a big lawn with lots of spring green grass!). And I find I can easily imagine her out there grazing. I think I’ll bring her out a pear!
Terry Crow
@Susan in tn-Your story about Prince Charles is similar to what happened at Santa Anita a few years back. At that time, female jockeys were a rarity. One of the first to break the glass ceiling was a rider by the name of Tuesdee Testa. To be honest about it, she wasn’t very good. Anyway, a huge crowd was gathered around the walking ring and the very same thing that happened in the Prince Charles story happened to her. It may have set back acceptance of female jockeys quite a bit, but I can’t say for sure. @LauraJ–Dialed In looks pretty good to me.
Mary
@LS- Please do not abandon the site. You add so much with your commentaries. You have consistently provided rational and accurate information for the site. I have had horses (running,working,breeding) for over sixty years; what you
say is “right on”.
@karen.g- LS was not overreacting to what you posted. On the Queen’s site, there is not reason to use adhominem attacks. We can all state our opinions and feelings without denegrating others.
Suzanne G
@Shema–have you seen @Astrid’s link listed above?
http://i-m-catmonkey.deviantart.com/art/ZENYATTA-s-WORLD-185425846
It’s Zenyatta waiting to go for a walk with you!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Since it is Kentucky Derby season and there have been a few entertaining stories of riders getting an overly enthusiastic leg-up, we always break into laughter at recalling War Emblem’s (2002 KY Derby winner) first race. Shortly after his jockey was given a leg-up, War Emblem dumped him in the paddock and ran riderless back to his stable. Not exactly an auspicious career start for this Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. We fell in love with that fractious colt and were able to see him often that summer as he trained at Del Mar. Let’s just say he was nobody’s pet.
suew
L.S., well said. LE was chosen to make sure Zenny was bred and delivers a healthy foal. Everything else we have gotten from Team Z and LE is gravy. There will be plenty of time to reconnect with her…now she needs to be just a horse and get in foal and stay in foal. Like others, I believe she has already been bred and we will get “official” news once the pregnancy is in it’s save stage…post the 45 day mark. The Mosses know what they’re doing as do the professionals at LE. As for personal issues being discussed on this site, I have no problem with it as long as we keep Zenny in the mix. This diary is intended for us to communicate with her (via Dotie) and reflect on how she has inspired us and how we can move forward in a spirit of generousity and fellowship.
I have learned so much about horses and racing from this diary and I hope to keep being educated for years to come using this same forum.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Hi big Mama. Hope you had a fun weekend, and didn’t eat too many colored eggs and candy :) Since you are our Queen, I wonder if LE is putting a big screen TV in your stall so you can watch the Royal Wedding on Friday with your gal pals. LE will have to get you all up pretty early for it :) Take care and stay Healthy & Happy big Sweetie Pie :) :) Love & Kisses xoxoxo.
Jane C
Well said Max. Totally agree with you. Realize this post has to be up for voting, but obviously it is too long because it is getting just nuts and sort of embarrassing to read. Some of you should just get over yourselves!!!! Hugs to Z.
Debbie
hi Z! I hope you had a wonderful Easter with lots of carrots, pears, apples, bananas & peppermints in your Easter basket! I sure am thinking of you and hoping all is well, I watched the races Saturday but was missing you so put in your races and watched them, they cheered me right up! love you so much xoxoxo
s in san diego
@Kennedys in San Diego…Quality Road kind of reminds me of War Emblem. He never really seemed to care much about manners. But once you got him in the gate…he would get down to business.
Paul
Zenyatta, Happy Easter!!!! I hope you were treated as well on Easter Sunday as you were on your birthday. I would have sent you a whole bunch of goodies if I could have. Mike Smith is one real trouper. He was holding the reins that he used on you. You just can’t keep a man like him down. I’ll bet that brings back memories for him. I put in my vote for the Final Four but I’m not sure that it went through on the library computer. I voted, pushed the “vote” button a few times, and nothing ever happens. In any case, I voted Dawn Conrad, because she, in my mind at least, showed the most emotion for Zenyatta and showed that she had real dedication. Regardless of who wins, I wish all 4 of the contestants luck. One of them will be lucky enough to win the bronze of Zenyatta. I’m looking forward to seeing who it is.
Paula Higgins
Susan, loved the story about Prince Charles! Made me laugh out loud. It’s nice to know he is such a good sport. You know, I was looking at articles about Zenny on Google, and I came upon pcitures of Zenny gently and kindly putting her head on a little girl’s shoulder. An incredibly sweet picture. It is one of the things that we treasure about her: her absolute kindness. John Shirreffs was able to allow people to get close to her because she was so gentle and sweet. We all need to take our cue from her and please remember why we are here. I really hope those who say they won’t come back and post will re-evaluate in a day or so. You know what I truly loved about this site? It was that we were just a bunch of really nice people who got together (thanks to Dottie, John, Ann and Jerry) to talk about our love for Zenyatta. In the meantime we learned alot from Dottie and John. What a gift that was for those of us who are not in the business. I post on another horse racing site but they are a tough bunch over there and their postings can reflect that. They don’t take any prisoners. I loved this site because it was not like that. It is like a sanctuary. While I understand we are all not going to agree on everything, and yes, we may differ in our opinions, I think it is important that we try to be kind to each other. I am not trying to be a blog dictator and tell people they have to behave one way or another. I am just respectfully asking people to think about the kindness of Zenyatta when they post. We were a really happy group here and we can be again. Dottie you are a terrific human being and I know that we ALL feel that way.
susan in tn
@ ASTRID and SUZANNE G: i looked at the zenyatta artwork at that link-wow! i love the idea.
@ THE KENNEDY’S in SAN DIEGO: how funny! i’m surprised that doesn’t happen more often! and how wonderful that you got to see him train. i grew up in the chicago area and once a year my dad would take me to arlington race track and he would take me down to the paddock area to see the horses, jockeys,etc. it was like magic to me. i haven’t been to a live race since but i would really like to.
@ DEBORAH RICHMAN: i have read things by temple grandin and seen her on tv at various times. she is fascinating, isn’t she? there was a movie about her -i think on HBO- last year with clare danes that was really good. apparently, temple grandin had alot of say in the making of the movie, which was good to know.
@ SHARI V: how are those adorable kids today?
Joan
@ people,people people,I turn my back and go to work and you guys have lost it!!!!
Look, we ALL just want what is best for Z, nothing less. If that means down time from us so be it. I love her so much but I was lucky enough to see her, which many of you have not had that privalege, so I do understand, I really do. I am not a horse expert, so I have to trust the experts. They know what they are doing.
We get so much from this board, I mean comon people, what does the bronze alone cost. Not chump change. SO just inhale and exhale very slowly, I remember this board the night she was flown to Kentucky, we were going nuts,prayer circles and etc. We were crazy and all worked as it was suppose to. Things were fine and we were given a lot of info. You have to put your faith and trust in the Moss’ and LE to take care of the “Queen”. David and Dottie, she is in excellent hands. Where is the faith, they have always put her first and that will never change. let’s just relax and wait for the good news.
love ya Z girl.
s in san diego
LS…don’t leave. I don’t know why all of the sudden this wonderful place has gone negative. Your comments were right on point. Unfortunatly we have had a few people lately who tend to be negative and point fingers. What I liked from the beginning was that this site was a place to talk about Z and to learn . It was great to have conversations going on, at times with different point of views, people asking questions and NEVER did it make someone feel stupid. To those who feel they know what is best for Z, more so then the Team that made her who she is… WE ARE OWED NOTHING FROM THEM….we have been given a gift by these wonderful people to stay connected. WE OWE THEM A HUGE THANK YOU. Once Z arrived at LEF, I really expected her (Dottie) to tell us that she was going to have some quiet time…and she would be back in touch next Spring. I was so happy when the post continued and then I started looking for the regular folks and new ones as they joined in. Now I catch myself reading hoping that someone will be there based on earlier comments by someone else. Who know…I may be the next one called out.
Sharon Call
@kennedys in san diego. I’ll have to try to find footage of that. I don’t remember it and I watch the Triple Crown every year. I must have missed that one. What a hoot!
Margaret
At the risk of being bashed again this is why I suggested something like marestare. I don’t and can’t speak for anyone on Team Z but from the major reading I’vebeen doing the past week or so I don’t believe any time will really be safe for Z to have visitor’s.
Horses stress VERY easily, mares in particular. If there’re inadvertently stressed they could release certain hormones that will end the pregnancy. I know no one here would want to stress her or carry something onto the farm accidentally but LE has to consider all their horses they are responsible for. There are certain illnesses that once it gets into the soil on the farm they have to conten with this every year. There is no way to remove those viruses and bacteria from the soil. And it’s those viruses and bacteria that could causes foal (not just Z’s) there lives.
That’s why I dared to suggest marestare so people could still see her in her natural habitats without fear of hurting her or her babies.
Please also understand that she won’t go on tour–she isn’gonna show at Churchill down’s for the Derby. The stress of trailering her could cause her to lose the baby. I’mnot trying to be cruel, I’m attempting to educate you based on my reading. You are welcome to double check my sources. The books are Understanding Breeding Management, Blessed are the broodmares. There are two others that I’ve just started–one is a fairly advanced book on reproduction and the other I don’t have the name of at this moment.
Z and Dottie will update us as they can time permitting. In the meantime I think most just really need to re-think things. If you are this I impatient now how are you going to behave next spring when we all go on foal watch??? Mares in stage 1 of delivery can stop delivery if they feel something is somehow off. They will keep you on watch for DAYS. Stage 1 of delivery can be anywhere from1-6 hours. Stage 2nd delivery which is awhile big jumble of emotions. This goes pretty fast but anything can happen at this time. You can have a perfect foal or there can be all sorts of nasty surprises. Stage 3 is when the placenta is delivered. This is HUGELYimportant for the vet to check. At this time the uterus will also startup return to normal size. This part is TOTALLY fascinating–how and why all this stuff happens the way it does. What triggers things??? If the mare has delivered with no trouble she could be bred back on her foal heat–about 8-10days post delivery. And that is hugely fascinating–this horse had a baby and could be ready to bred again with hardly any down time.
Kathy Kimber
I liked the story about War Emblem dumping his jockey on Derby Day. Thanks to the Kennedy’s in San Diego
carolyn
Paula, You are such an avid zenyatta fan. I read your posts on BH sometimes, You really made me laugh a few weeks ago when MO lost his race, You said, you needed to go back and pull out your Zenyatta DVD’s because you needed to get your “fix”. I laughed and really enjoyed reading that, I feel the same exact way. This is such a empty racing season without her.