It is so hard to believe that today marks the mid-point of 2011. On my behalf, I must say, it has been an amazing 6 months. The time has really gone by very quickly. Residing in Kentucky at Lane’s End, I began the year experiencing ‘the different seasons’. I loved playing in the snow with my paddock pals and sharing so much time outdoors with them. Then to be honored as the 2010 HORSE OF THE YEAR last January was truthfully one of the biggest thrills and proudest moments of my time in racing.
Now, to be happily in foal to Bernardini as I embark upon the next phase of my career, is also very special!
As I have mentioned many times in the DIARY, I am one extremely fortunate horse.
My life has been filled with loving, happy, and positive people who have encouraged ME each step of the way. Environment is very important and influences one’s behavior on so many levels. I hope the sentiments of kindness and love I have known will have a rippling effect…and extend to others I meet in my life.
The 4th of July holiday weekend is now upon us. It represents such a great time for family and friends to get together, visit, and really kick-off the summer season.
MY TEAM and I will not be together this holiday…the first time in 5 years. I will definitely hear from them and they will touch base with ME in one way or another. They constantly keep in touch to see how I am doing!
For instance, when David comes to visit ME in the paddock or at the barn, he actually does call Dottie and John while he is standing there and spending time with ME. He lets ME hear their voices during the conversation while he is there petting ME. (He knows my favorite spots!) As you know from prior Diary Entries, MY TEAM and I actually TANGO so they can see ME on their phones. Sarah, David, and my other friends at the farm are constantly taking pictures to share with THEM and ultimately YOU! Isn’t technology grand!
MY JOHN is always taking pictures of the horses at the barn and videos for the owners to see. (We tease him now…but we are extremely grateful he has so many early photos of ME! Those photos taken during my early years could never be captured again…ever!) At the end of the day, all of this…John’s YOU-TUBES, videos, pictures of BARN 55 and photos of my poodle pal, Sophie, are simply meant TO BE FUN!
The way ALL of YOU have been so very supportive of ME is something MY TEAM and I deeply cherish! I really feel like I have so many wonderful FRIENDS and such a large extended family. THANK YOU!
Here’s wishing EACH OF YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR FRIENDS and YOUR TEAM a very healthy and happy second half of 2011! Go out and share a variety of things with them…and HAVE SOME FUN!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Sunny Boyd
@DJ
check diary entry #44
Sophie is not a poodle.
judy berube
Dear Charlotte Farmer:
Sent donation to Old Friends today for Noor. Not as much as we would have liked to give, but what we could. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sunny Boyd:
Little Sophie is a Toy Poodle. We have one too. She is five pounds of joy. Sometimes the trim style can give them a different look, but she is a Poodle. Ask Dottie directly; I’m sure she will answer you. Hugs, J.B.
JSmith
Have you seen Uncle Mo today? Another spreader of love in his own funny way. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=212985792078376&set=a.150181521692137.25375.150181301692159&type=1&theater
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. What a beautiful post, Zenny. You made me cry. Our time with you has been the most wonderful time ever. So much fun, joy, excitement, kindness and love you have shared. Thank you and wonderful Team Z for being so generous, I cherise each of you in return. Sarah has shared some amazing photos and how fantastic is our John with his camera always at the ready. Dottie of course is the most wonderful of all, bringing us together with an amazing feeling of friendship. Though you are far away from your beloved family, the heart knows no distance. It holds everything deep within and they are there with you always as you are with them. I am so happy that David has his techno marvels, so that you can actually hear from Dottie and John. I’m sure Ann and Jerry love to utilize Tango to see your beautiful face, nothing could mean so much. I hope you and yours have a fantastic, fun and firework filled 4th. You are like the best sparkler ever, you literally glow. Love you forever, Zenny. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
judy berube
Dear J. Smith:
Thanks for the Mo photo. Love that colt. Hugs, J.B.
Joan
Dearest Zenyatta, never doubt you are and will always be a force for good in this world. I hope you and your team have a happy holiday weekend even if you can’t be together this year.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
Dawn Conrad
Hello my wonderful Z friends!!!!!
@Gloria Jeanne – Thank you for the retirement pictures of Zenny.
@Abigail in Montreal – Happy Canada Day!!!Loved the info you shared about Will and Kate. How cute that the distinguished veteran captured the officers cap. TOO FUN!
@Shari, Brooke, and Dusty – Your day together sounds absolutely wonderful. I am so happy you got to share such a special time together. Your Dusty sounds amazing, what a lucky girl you are. And what fun for Mrs. Votz.
@Karen Gogue – Your message to Kari was beautiful.
@Kari – Thank you for sharing such love.
@Judy Gadwood – Your story about John and Dottie was TOO CUTE. She does have gorgeous legs. John got one great girl. Fantastic news about the Pincay award for Ann and Jerry.
@Susan in TN – I will be getting in touch with you, I would love to be included in the group receiving your rescue news. I asked where the farm was, because I will be in Nashville for a short time during this trip. I was thinking it might be great to meet Chester, Rootbeer and all the others.
@Charlotte Farmer – Enjoyed the story of Bamboo. Everyday, I grow more in awe of your efforts on behalf of Noor. It sounds like some good press will be forthcoming. I will make sure to get my donation off as soon as possible.
@JSmith – So glad Mike is getting such a special award. He is amazing.
@Linda in NJ – Hope you have a wonderful time at the Hollywood Gold Cup.
@Terry Crow – I too have always found it amazing that those two founding fathers were connected in such a way, even unto their deaths.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny & Team-Z,
All your Diary entries are very up-lifting
and positive…a great reflection of your
positive attitude and inner beauty. Be
assured that your beautiful spirit can’t
help but influence the WORLD, for the better!!
Have a peaceful 4th of July weekend.
Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
Dawn Conrad
@Karen Cogswell, DJ and JSmith – This weekend we celebrate our independence day. If we harken back to that time we will be reminded that we had a partner in our struggles who supported our every effort on those bleak battlefields. Our partner was the horse. They pulled our cannons, carried our supplies, suffered and died with us. When our freedom was won, they joined us in building a new world. They plowed our fields, took us to church on Sunday and brought the doctor to help us be born. As we decided to move west, they were right there. They pulled our wagons through mountains, desert and plains; fording rivers and struggling through snow. As we reached the promise land, the horse enabled us to travel and communicate across this great nation. They carried the Pony Express and pulled a stage from New York to San Francisco. They bowed under the weight of wagons filled with supplies to feed a growing population. They carried the Calvary into battle and the mountain man to the highest peaks. They helped herd cattle along the Chisum Trail. Wild and free, some still grace our western states, reminders of a remarkable time gone by. Horses moved with us into the industrial age, they made sure our milk was delivered in the morning and our ice was delivered in the heat of day. As work became secondary, they readily adapted to what we asked of them. They ran like the wind in races, jumped fences, danced in dressage, bucked in the rodeo. They traveled to foreign lands during our great wars, supporting the troops as the remarkable Reckless did. They have remained our friends and valuable companions for hundreds of years. Today, they have been utilized to give crippled children the ability to leave their wheelchairs for a time. Or forget for just a moment that they are blind or deaf. Humans who are battered have found peace, those that are hurt, healing. As it is said, there truly is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. On their backs we see the world from above in a whole new way. They bring us pure pleasure. They carry us boldly forward and we are free. They ask very little, yet give their all. So I would have to ask the Senators who are about to vote on #1176 if they themselves have done as much for this great nation as the horse has. These marvelous, beautiful creatures deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion and yes, love. Not suffer a cruel and inhumane end across our borders. Horses helped build America, let America proudly speak on their behalf, for to do anything less would degrade the very principles that we celebrate this July 4th.
Sue Fredrick
@Dawn Conrad, wish you could speak before Congress and say those same words, maybe, just maybe you’d get through to them. I spoke of this same theme to my Wisconsin senators and I intend to see how they voted afterwards. Thank you for your eloquence
DJ
To Sunny B: Isn’t she precious in Diary #44! To me she looks like a Champagne Toy Poodle mixed with Apricot, but she easily could be mixed with Shih Tsu or Maltese. You are probably right :)
DJ
To Dawn C: Yes… and for ‘Believers,’ a Colt wrapped with blankets carried our Good Lord to His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem for the Passover. Your sentiments speak for All. “If the stones could talk…they would cry out loudly!” Luke 19:40 Thank you for sharing such beautiful thoughts. Blessings for a peaceful Independence Day!
Holly Zemba
I love you Zenyatta!! Happy 4th of July and enjoy the summer!!
Linda Henderson
Happy Fourth of July to all! I too am thankful for John’s YouTube videos. I enjoy them so much.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Dawn Conrad: We still measure combustion and thrust in horsepower .. . The first casualty at Fort Sumter was a Confederate horse. And Congress reckons every letter to a Senator or Representative as standing for 10,000 similar opinions. Thank you for boosting the cause of Senate Bill #1176 by at least multiples of that count. Khc.
Karen Gogue
@Dawn
…the beauty is in the one who speaks….
Amen, Amen!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~CA
@ DJ – =^..^= thanks for the cat video! TOO CUTE!! :-D
Karen Gogue
JSmith
Gotta love that Boy!! Too cute!
Signofthetimes
@Judy B
Thanks for link to Sunday Silence; and info on
Liberian freighters next race.
Karen Gogue
@Linda in NJ
you know…we’d like to have that Bronze smothered nightly with the biggest kisses from us too. Great for you! Can’t wait to meet you next week too!
Maria K.
Lovely picture with your friends. You look so beautiful Queen Z. Happy 4th of July and have fun outside. I love you!
Delrene
Lovely commentary from Zenyatta and her favorite lady, Dottie. Thanks to all for all the wonderful words and great memories we share in our love for Zenyatta. A safe and Happy 4th of July to all. My son is in Afghanistan and that video was beautiful but makes me want him home soon, safe and sound. Same for all the others serving our Country. God Bless them and keep them in his tender care. Have a fun weekend Queen Zenyatta. We all miss you and wish you only the best.
JSmith
@Dawn Conrad, I was just about to say, could you read that in person before Congress, then I saw Sue F. had said the same thing. Can u imagine reading that in person, and looking each senator in the eye, I doubt any of them would vote in favor of slaughter. So well written. Thank you Dawn. Kathryn, thanks for pointing out that 1 letter is thought to represent 10,000 similar opinions. I didn’t know that. Just goes to show how important writing a letter is.
Charlotte Farmer
@Zenyatta – For a few moments I was sad that you weren’t going to be with your Team, but I am glad that David lets you hear their voices during calls to Dottie and John and that he knows your favorite spot. Fourth of July is for remembering and celebrating, taking pictures and looking through albums and remembering. I will always love you and support you and that of your Team and my family here on this site. You are the reason fair lady, and here is wishing you many more Fourth of July’s. I am sorry you can’t toast it with your Guinness.
@Terry Crow – Two great men who died on the same day that we celebrate the birth of our country.
@Margie – Thank you so much for the donation and your heartfelt thoughts.
@The Dumplings – How lucky that all of you can meet and have what I am sure will be a fabulous day. I wish I lived closer.
@Eveline – Thank you for the link to Jay’s article on Noor and Life at Ten. I cannot say enough good things about Jay. April 18, 2010, Jay did a beautiful write-up on Noor, “San Juan Winners’ List a Who’s Who” that appeared in the DRF in honor of the 60th anniversary of Noor’s win in the San Juan.
@Max – Thank you, but in fairness, all of you inspire me. Zen’s site is my getaway place to come and be silly or serious and wait for Terry’s next joke.
@Judy Berube – Thank you on behalf of Noor. It doesn’t matter the amount, what matters is you care. Noor is smiling
@To the Mosses – Congratulations on receiving the Pincay Award. I am glad Laffit will be the one giving it to you. The words just give me goosebumps, integrity, dedication, distinction, this because of a classy lady named Zenyatta and her even classier owners.
@Abigail in Montreal – Happy Canada Day!
@Dawn Conrad – My God girl, can you write. You truly have a gift for words. And on this Fourth of July, thanks to Dawn, I say “Semper Fi” to Reckless.
@400 Men of the Maryland Brigade – As you sleep I want to share your sacrifice with those on this site thanking you for giving us our liberty and all others who have fought for freedom.
A documentary by Richard Brookhiser appeared on PBS some years back on the Fourth titled, “Rediscovering George Washington.” During that presentation Brookhiser recounted the story of the Maryland Brigade.
On August 26, 1776, four hundred men of the Maryland Brigade put their lives on the line at a place called Gowanus Creek, now Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. Fleeing from the British the only route left to Washington and his men was a bridge that crossed Gowanus Creek. The Maryland Brigade, outnumbered 5-1, held the bridge as Washington and his militia crossed to safety. By the end of that day only 10 men were still alive out of 400. Washington’s militia would live to fight another day. The 390 men that died that day are buried under an “auto body shop” there in Brooklyn.
JSmith
@Terry Crow, there is hope for me yet! I am back at the ‘TV’ house and the first button I pressed turned the TV on, with sound, imagine my surprise. There was a slight hitch in turning it off later, but it only required pressing 3 random buttons. Things are looking up on the techno front!
Diana S
@My Maple Leaf Friends: Drat! I got on too late for a proper Happy Canada Day! Forgive my bringing up the rear – – – rear.
@Abigail: Thank you for the refresher course on the Canadian breed. The RCMP did a tour – here in AZ I think – and I saw the horses up close. They were uniformly magnificent.
@All: It’s 1:35AM Sat morning and I am only half way through 286. Sigh. Will post more manana – when we are expecting it to be “officially hot” at 116. If I don’t return, look for puddle with bits of grey and brown hair sticking out!
Good night Zenyatta, Dottie, and Team Z
Trina Nagele
TO ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING CHARLOTTE FARMER GET NOOR TO KENTUCKY: I went to the article by Jay Hovdey (thanks for the link, Eveline!), and wrote a comment about Charlotte Farmer’s tireless efforts and the need for donations for transport now that the Old Friends is offering the site. If more of us comment too, it may encourage others to get on the band wagon and chip in. It was a little complicated to post—I think maybe you have to click first where it says “Click here to submit your comment,” then enter your info, write your comment, and finally click on SUBMIT at the bottom. When I succeeded in that, the screen moved up to the beginning of the article and I got a message in a yellow box that my comment was awaiting moderation, so I expect it will go up maybe later today. At the very least, comments from us will show Jay that we appreciate his writing about Noor. http://www.drf.com/blogs/life-goes
@Charlotte Farmer—Thanks for the story of the Maryland Brigade in the Revolutionary War. I am sorry to say that I had never heard the tale. As to Noor, together we’ll get it done. That was a great idea of Susan in TN to contact Golden Gate Fields directly and ask if someone there would gather the sample of dirt from the winner’s circle and mail it to you.
@Delrene—Blessings to you and to your son in Afghanistan, and I hope you will soon be able to say “Welcome home” to him.
@S (in San Diego)—You’re very welcome—glad I could be of service!
@Dawn—Very beautiful and effective speech on behalf of our country’s horses.
@JSmith—That’s great news about the TROTT Inspiration awards for Mike Smith and trainer Jack Van Berg.
@DmamaKlock—Well said.
Joan Dobbie
Happy 4th Zenny! I’m sorry you won’t be with your team this holiday. I hope you’ll have a beautiful day nonetheless. Please thank Dotty for keeping us up on your life.