Good Morning,
I love this! Look who is at Del Mar having a few days of RNR. It is my dear friend, Jeanne Mayberry. She is the wonderful lady, who along with her daughter, April, taught ME my very first lessons at their training center in Ocala, Florida.
Jeanne is taking a few days off and relaxing in good Ol’ DEL MAR. She is here with her other daughter, Summer, and her family. In the photo with Jeanne is her grandson, BRYAN. Jeanne loves to come to the barn and visit with her ‘students’. I know John and Dottie always keep her up-to-date on how ‘we’ are all doing. It makes it so much FUN for everyone to stay involved.
April went on a vacation a bit earlier…so everyone is taking a moment to refresh before they gear up for another season of ‘breaking yearlings’. Dottie always equates this to ‘going to school’. The yearlings start arriving in late September (after the Keeneland Yearling Sale) to begin the program. They settle in and get acquainted with their new surroundings, and then start to learn their lessons: to wear tack, have a rider on their back and then learn to take the cues from the rider to jog, gallop, and lengthen stride etc. All of this is so, so important to every horse and his / her future.
These lessons progress throughout the winter and then in March, April, May and June, the individual horses… now 2…leave Jeanne and April to go to the racetrack to their respective trainers. When the horse leaves the training center depends on several factors. The most important is HOW the horse is doing and the progress he/she is making. Just like humans, horses develop at different levels and different stages. Some are fast learners and quickly ‘get it’. Others, may need a bit more one-to-one attention to learn a task and and master it. Learning for this horse may progress at a slower pace.
Meeting individual differences, in MY TEAM’S opinion, is just as important for a horse as it is for a young child and a developing student.
Just like school, the students leave each year to go on to a new teacher. The same principle applies here…the 2 year olds leave to go on to the race track, to their new trainer, and the next stage of their career.
I must say, I adore Jeanne and April. They always treated ME with such LOVE and PATIENCE. So much goes into the development of a race horse…and every lesson, every consideration, and every single person who touches you can have such an impact on your future. I’ve been SO BLESSED!
I think they feel I was ‘REALLY A TERRIFIC STUDENT’. I know they are EXTREMELY PROUD OF ME and WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Have fun in Del Mar, Jeanne!)
Z
jeanie langford
Oh I love the print. Will have to save up. How are you and the foal doing. Can not wait for the baby to come. Hugs and Kisses.
Alexandra Bowdoin
@Eveline, Thanks for the heads up on the
European Dressage Championships! I really do like “Toto”. Edward must be starting another young one? I hope everyone is having a great day….
Rosemary McCauley
Zenyatta, thank you and Dottie for the photo of Jeanne and her grandson. I hope she has a great time on vacation with her family. They must be wonderful people to have started you on the road to greatness.
Paul
Zenyatta, I’m happy that you keep in touch with your old teachers. You said that Jeanne Mayberry, your old teacher who trained you in Ocala, Florida was visiting Del Mar. It’s a real honor that she tells you that you were a good student under her. You also mention breaking in yearlings and that it is about to happen in Del Mar. They are broken into the world of riding and racing, what to expect, how to respond to commands, and other useful information. You are right to say that horses progress at different rates just like people do. Visiting her students brings back memories to her, I’m sure, and you’re no exception. Very happy memories at that. I’m not surprised that the training sessions for horses last a long time. It takes time to be broken in and to learn and get the hang of everything. After all, the more you do something, the better you get at it. I am still learning about horses and I hope I never stop.
Lisa g
@The Experts: I just finished reading an article with Uncle Mo’s, Uncle Mike speaking his opinion of the 2012 BC at California again, sorry, I am raised CA, but I agree with him on this one. My question is on the Lasix! In 2012 two year olds will not be allowed to use it on raceday, in 2013 all horses will not be allowed to use it. I understand it is the bleeding…which I do not like to talk or think about, but some commented that any horse that was a bleeder should not be in the Breeding Barn? Please help me understand this drug, and the (sigh) bleeding…Lisa g.
alene
Zenny you are the BEST!!!! I`m sure that you were a wonderful student as well…Love you Alene :-)
Abigail from Montreal
“Charlie” from Delran, NJ: Welcome! I am the woman who runs THE VAULT: Horse Racing Past and Present and there are several articles on there about great thoroughbreds of today and yesteryear. The subjects I write about will continue to have an international flavour but as I only began THE VAULT last February I am really only warming up!!!! RE: Your question. Here’s an American seller who has a HUGE range of DVD’s. I have yet to purchase any from him but he seems very nice and communicates promptly. Here’s the link: http://www.horseracingdvd.com/index.php?p=listing&lid=23
I have found tons of great footage on YouTube. If you go to YouTube and search for Terlingua1849 (no spaces) you should arrive at my “channel” and there are about 100 pieces of tape there about a HUGE number of great horses. Other Zen-sters are more than welcome to visit me there & watch. Here’s the link, in case the search fails: http://www.youtube.com/user/Terlingua1849?feature=mhsn
Alexandra Bowdoin
@Eveline, Interesting that Totilas was sold to the Germans! There is such a huge rivalry between these 2 Countries! I have loved both horses Edward Gal has ridden in the last couple of years. I have not seen this one.
zenyattaloveramy!
AWWWWW!! thats cute!:) thanks zeny! FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
Lisa g
@Eveline, thank you for the link, Totilas is drop beautiful, wow…Woermann, he is beautiful to, he looks and seems to be…ah, dancing…TOO CUTE> What year was that? I guess I have to Google another horse that has caught me eye…Thank you..Lisa g.
Alexandra Bowdoin
I just read that our beloved Brentina was approved to be bred to Totilas!! How wonderful!! I have always loved this mare.
JAG from California :-)
Happy Tuesday, Big Mamma!
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I love to read the stories about YOUR past… HOW and WHY you became such a successful STAR! I never tire of speaking about you to peeps who aren’t even interested in racing! A big THANK YOU to Jeanne Mayberry and April for taking part in teaching you. However, IMO, you were probably an “excellent” student ;-)
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I can’t wait for a book and a movie about Queen Zenyatta :-D
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Kiss & Hugs Zenny and Baby z XOXOXOXOXO
Debbie G
@Terry Crow – That joke is too funny! LOL :-)
Lisa g
@JAG in CA, When you speak to the peeps who are not even interested, what is their reaction to you…I do not always get positive reactions for different reason, some are funny and some are not.
Peg
Thanks for the wonderful explanations. Your team does a great job of making us feel like we are a small part of racing. Love you Mamma!
JAG from California :-)
COLONEL JOHN:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64565/winstar-launches-colonel-john-campaign
Trina Nagele
Dearest Zenny—What a BEAUTIFUL diary entry!
To all: Despite DJ’s very sensible warning that I may be biting off more than I can chew, especially since I’ll be busy teaching again starting next week, I will do my best to create a personal happy birthday poem for every Z-ster who gives me a little heads up in advance. If you can help me out with some details so that I can shape the verse to your personal uniqueness, that would be much appreciated. You can e-mail me at trinambn@yahoo.com. And since you asked so nicely, Arlene, I will be delighted to do a “belated happy birthday” for you. I’ll be watching for your e-mail.
@Lil in KY—LOL. Great idea for a poem! Do you think I should wait for a peace treaty to be signed, or do you think the current cease-fire is good enough? I don’t want to jump the gun, so to speak!
Barbara Wood
Could the picture of the new baby foal possibly be put up on Zenny’s FB page? Sorry if it’s already there–I haven’t had time to look.
I am interested in learning more about the bleeding medicine ban as well.
Pat Beck
Missed you while I was on my cruise to Alaska, Z. Hope you’re doing beautifully, my sweet angel.
JAG from California :-)
@ Lisa G
Actually my experiences have been WONDERFUL! Perhaps one of the reasons is my signature Zenyatta manicure would provoke a conversation :-)
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Also, my co-workers became interesting in Z because they watched her 2010 Apple Blossom race from my computer lol I loved their reaction! Since she’s a ‘closer’ it caused them concern because she was at the back of the pack… They all broke into smiles when she won with the greatest of ease. I was always asked: “How did your horse do this weekend?” TOO CUTE!
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Also, at the framing store I’d stand and speaking with other customers about her. But, I also got into lots of conversations about JOHN HENRY, too. When You have your art work laying out on the table to be framed, it gets attention lol
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Last, but not least, my manicurist always asks if I have any news about Zenny :-D
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Have a great day! Judy
JAG from California :-)
GRAMMAR CORRECTION” “SPEAK with customers…” Geez
Irene Caty
Zenny, you do such a good job of explaining what goes on in horseworld. I have found all of your schooling very interesting. The Summer of dog days are upon us here in Calif. right now. Hope it dont last long, our Summer here has been pretty fair up to now and that is great. Hope all is going well for you Queen Zenyatta, sending much love to you.
Dylan
Just as Jeanne and April Mayberry were your first teachers, you are serving as a teacher to me Zenyatta! I’ve learned so many things about horse racing I never knew before I read your diary postings, which is fantastic, and I’m very grateful for. I’ve really enjoyed reading about what I never knew before. A big High Hoof to Jeanne and April Mayberry, they did such an impeccable job with you! Take care Zenyatta!
Barbara Grimaldi
Thank you, Zenyatta, for that explanation of the path TBs take to the race track. I thought they were bought or bred by an owner and trained by that person…not sent to “school” elsewhere. Your teachers must be top drawer to receive a student like you were! Love and hugs to you, dear Zenny!
Lil from KY
@ Trina Nagele—-I certainly wouldn’t want you to “jump the gun”, as there are already people”gunning” for me & ready to come “get”me!! But I don’t go for violence, so I’ll opt for the peace treaty, how’s that?
Barbara Grimaldi
It feels so good to be back here with Zenny again…catching up with everyone is always a joy. Diana, thanks for the comments on my “oration”. Marshall, thank you for your kind words and so glad you are with us. Kimberley Potter, thank you, too, for your kind words about the work I’m trying to do. Sending more prayers your way for your family and hoping all goes well. DOTTIE: thanks again for today’s lesson–this lovely place is a school for me!!!
Terry Crow
@Abigail from Montreal-You sound like the type of compassionate person who should be a teacher. Sorry you are not in the profession any more. I wish I had teachers such as you and Shari Voltz when I was growing up. @Trina Nagele-I did not realize that you were also a teacher. I should have known from your erudite prose.
Barbara Wood
@Lil from KY–lol–so true! Ditto for me.
@JAG–thanks for the reporting of how you ease our Z into conversations.
Carole #42
As usual Z..you and Dottie gave us a great post. Lots of great info. Take care beautiful lady and eat lots of blue grass for baby Z.XOXOXO
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
I enjoy your diary so much Zenyatta. I missed it for some time in July when I was so sick. I am feeling a bit better and am so glad to be able to read this again everyday. There wasn’t one day though, that I didn’t think of you and see you in my mind-just the thought of you helped me to keep going and to get well. Thankyou my dear sweet girl for being a part of my life. You live in my heart. I love you more than you know. So glad that you are doing so well. You sparkle and shine brighter than any star up above. My love and blessings always sweetie!