SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!
Good Morning All!
What a day I had yesterday…all filled with GREAT surprises! I now know all of my friends here at Lane’s End had a wonderful surprise planned for me…and they filled TEAM ZENYATTA in on it!
For days, as you know, I have been walking around in my new paddock. The Farm wanted me to be totally familiar with every inch of the area. This is all part of my ‘baby steps’ process. Each day, I was given a bit more space to investigate and explore with Charles, Donna and the crew here! They ultimately had me on a very loose hold during these adventures. I was also given ample time to look at all of my beautiful surroundings and thoroughly relax and enjoy my time outdoors.
After several days of this, the FARM felt I was totally comfortable with my new paddock. A plan was then developed to establish the day when I could be ‘on my own’ outside. It was organized for this to take place YESTERDAY. TEAM ZENYATTA WAS PART OF THE PLAN…and they flew into Lexington TO SHARE THIS MOMENT WITH ME!
As I was being prepared for my morning ‘walk’, David and Mike picked up Team Z at the airport. SURPRISE! Within minutes, they were all right here with me at my Lane’s End Barn! SUCH FUN! (Carrots and mints for EVERYBODY!) Yippee!
Barbara Livingston, from DRF, and Anne M. Eberhardt and Alex, from THE BLOODHORSE, were also on hand. Sweetly, ANN MOSS was going to take some of her own videos…….and MY DEAR JOHN brought his new camera to add to the fun!
When I was ready, we all walked out to my paddock together. It was crisp…but not as cold as the last time they were here. For quite a bit of time, I walked around with Charles. We wanted to show everyone how well I handled this. We walked all over this large paddock…and I checked out everything….just like I have been doing for days now. Ann, Jerry, John, Dottie, Mario and Carmen…all thought I was doing very well. I was really feeling very confident in this space and with the footing.
Then, suddenly, (and to my surprise…and delight) Charles took the shank off me. I was allowed to be ‘ON MY OWN’. Lane’s End positioned many people from their staff all over the perimeters of the paddock area as they wanted to be sure I was very logical and safe at this moment.
GUESS WHAT???? I WAS! At first, I just played around with some alfalfa they had carefully positioned in 2 places in the center area of the paddock. I moved from one patch of this to another…walking and grazing. Then I thought…Hmmmm…this is different! I don’t really have anyone right next to me. Suddenly I looked up and saw so many of my friends all standing several feet away. At that moment, I noticed Mario. I walked over to him and stood there. He hugged me and scratched my neck like he has done for YEARS! It was so special! I walked over to the Moss’. Ann and Jerry both hugged me and gave me some great treats from home.
Then I looked at my dear JOHN…and walked over to him. He gave me several loving pats and then looked down and ‘checked my legs’. (Old habits just don’t go away. This is a TRAINER kinda’ thing. John has checked my legs every single morning for over 4 1/2 years. It was like great old times!) For several minutes more, I was able to walk around and greet all of my other friends. THIS WAS REALLY GOING WELL!
Now…I thought…HMMM! Let’s see what happens when I walk farther out to the other part of the paddock. So I did. I walked around looking at everything. I was careful..and enjoyed this. I WAS ALL BY MYSELF! I stood at one edge of the paddock just staring over the fence. 2 squirrels were playing in the tree…and I just loved watching them. I walked over to see the geese playing in the pond. I then went to greet all of my Lane’s End friends standing in each part of the paddock…..making sure they knew I was safe.
This went on for many more minutes. I just walked, looked, stood…and enjoyed every single moment.
Then, the thought occurred to me…CAN I JOG OFF and RUN? No lead pony, no Steve, no Mike Smith…no equipment…JUST ME! I put up my tail and planted my feet in the snow. It felt good. I jogged a bit and felt the brisk air on my skin. I stretched my legs and stepped right out! Hmmm, I thought! This is fun…and it is really going well. I went over to the other edge of the paddock. Donna was there to meet me. WOW!!!! Am I really doing this? I’m all by myself!
I pranced to the side of the paddock where all of my other friends were standing. I danced for them…and even walked right over to Dottie and gave her a BIG KISS!
I walked back around and greeted every single person as I made my way to the far side of the paddock! SUDDENLY (my confidence now was really strong)…….. I TOOK OFF!
I stretched, I bucked, I played…and then I RAN. What a lucky girl! As I rushed across the paddock, I squealed with delight. It was my way of THANKING EVERYONE for my wonderful, wonderful life.
What a LUCKY, LUCKY GIRL I AM!
After running free for several more minutes, Charles put the shank back on me. As you know, they have to monitor my time like this to be sure I am safe and don’t get too excited at first. The crew then took turns walking me around the paddock some more. Mario took his turn…and it was ALL FABULOUS!
I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!
After all of this exercise, it was time to go back to my barn and have something to eat. My friends and TEAM Z followed me and stayed and visited with me for hours.
What A MOMENT, what A DAY…and what SPECIAL MEMORIES!
I hope to share more photos of this day with you soon. Thank you to Barbara for the one we are using today. This day was all very, very special to me…and I know in my heart it was also very special for all of TEAM Z. They traveled thousands of miles to share this one new stage of my life with me! They all told me…they would not have missed today for anything!
What more could a GIRL want or have…than so many people who love her SO MUCH!
With love,
HUGS to ALL~
Z
Irene Caty
Dear Zenyatta, what a beautiful picture of you running in the snow. You sure are a beauty. I saw the video and really liked it. You are just amazeing with all that hip hoppin you do and take off running like the wind. It is a work of art to just watch you run like that. I am so happy for you to have had such a special day with your Z-Team family to share it with you. They all love you very much and they miss you being away. I love to watch you run free like that. It shows that you are the same happy and loving Zenyatta with the same adoreable personality. Be happy and have fun my sweet Z, that is Queen Z.
Julie June Stewart
Dear Z and friends – it was so glorious to watch our gal pal have a blast in the paddock. I so appreciate the baby steps, the careful documentation, the wonderful photographs from Barbara L and Anne E. Todays video brought me to tears. It was so touching to see Zenyatta checking over Mario and standing with him. I loved the fact that Jerry, Ann, John, Dottie, Carmen and Mario were there for such a wonderful event.
I can’t express enough how much the special touches mean to us – her fans. Today was just frosting on the cake to see Miss Z kick up her heels and squeal with sheer delight. That was what I needed to see….. Perfection in the paddock. Special thanks to all…. j
Melissa
Thank you so much for sharing this special moment with Z’s public. Amazing and wonderful to see her so happy with all the people that love her so much. She was beautiful to watch!!
carrie
awesome
Charlene Wolff
It makes me so happy to see Team Z handle Zenyatta with so much care. I’ve been online almost every night since she retired, not knowing a whole lot about her, but I’m smitten. There’s so much I’m learning about race horses in general – it’s so interesting. This website is fantastic and I love seeing all the videos of her and her crew at Lane’s End. Good luck Queen Z and keep safe!
Sharon Doherty
Why do I keep tearing up when I see this magnificent Lady? Thank you Team Z,Lane’s End and Blood Horse for sharing!
Bob Rose
Theresa…found a website pertaining to the benefits of therapeutic horse riding for handicapped children. Hope you see on it what I was referring to. God Bless.
http://stampedeofdreams.org/
Diana S
WOW! This just made my day! Zenny, you are so intellegent and self-aware it just had to have made all of Team Z – old and new – very, very happy. And obviously, you have a “new thing” to look forward to – free movement! Um, have you learned the rolling in the snow trick yet? Even more thrilling and reassuring is that ALL of Team Z came to see this milestone! Any “neigh”-sayers left that you are family to all of them? Still wish you were in California, but as the days pass, I am less and less obsessed about it. [Thank you, Dottie for the early Christmas present!] Diana in Phoenix
Snoprinz
What a lovely picture of you Zenyatta. Team Z was even there to support you and see you run on your own. What a touching story. Thank you for this Christmas present.
saharagold
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THINKING ABOUT US AND SHARING THIS VIDEO WITH US! This is the BEST Christmas present I have gotten this year (and last yeat, too!). There is NOTHING that touches my spirit & soul more than to see a beloved horse run free! Team Zenyatta deserves the best blessings from the Creator for your generous sharing of The Queen with us! May your spirits run as free in your “paddock” in this coming year as she did for us on Monday!
Marilyn Watson
Well, well, look who is having some fun down on the farm! That just made my day seeing our Z running free, kicking up those great white heels of hers and that tail carried so high! She is the perfect horse…
Dona
What can I say that hasn’t been said already. Words of gratitude escape me, I can’t find the written word worthy enough to express my feelings about this video of our beloved Miss Z. The Z-team is so special, each and every one a credit to the human race and the racing industry.
Ann and Jerry,
what wonderful owners you are and your actions regarding Zenyatta prove how deserving of you to have such a marvelous treasure.
John and Dottie,
Truly. the world was blessed when Zenyatta came to your barn because no one in the entire world could have handled her in the manner that you have.
Mario,
Zenyatta loves you and that says volumns for the care and attention that she received from you.
We fans, too a one, were so scared that our beloved would disappear behind the walls of Lanes End and only once and a while would someone come forth with an update. How wrong we were and I hope Lanes End management and personnel fully realize how grateful we are. Thank you for understanding just how important Zenyatta is to her fans, worldwide.
Happy Holidays to each and every one, may your New years be bright and may all your dreams come true and may our Queen be happy and healthy, for she is truly loved by all.
Dottie Combest
Zenyatta, I am so happy that you are happy !!! You deserve to have every thing your way ~ you were so use to doing things their way (which I am sure you enjoyed to a degree ~ it showed in your general attitude) but NOW it’s your turn to be the boss of your actions ~ be it running or bucking or kicking the air or squealing ~ whatever suits your fancy ~ enjoy life and Merry Christmas to all your handlers ~ I wish I were one of them :)
Kristoffer Nielsen
Thanks to all for your great comments–I enjoy them as much as the posts which I also look forward to daily. Thank you Bob for yours in particular today–regarding the topic of horses and special needs children–and the amazing things that can come from these relationships and all relationships between equines and we humans…special thanks to all Zen’s connections for sharing her with us so generously
Nancy
What a great diary entry. It is so descriptive that we can all see this as it is happening. I have always loved watching my polo ponies Play and roll and run when we turn them out at the end of the season. So glad your people were there to experience it!
How long has it been since you were turned out in a paddock?
Kimberly Van der Vegt
What a great story! Zenny is one lucky horse! I have so much respect for team Z.
jahlgren
Thanks you, Lane’s End and Team Z for all the wonderful access to Zenyatta through pictures, videos, and diary entries and taking the time to compile all of this for her adoring public. It’s just so great! I loved BloodHorse.com’s video of her free play time in the paddock, and Daily Racing Form’s Barbara Livingston’s wonderful photographs of her first time as a retired filly enjoying her first taste of real freedom. Happy Holidays!
Darla
Magic!!!
Eileen
Fabulous!
Diane Martin
Thank you Dottie and Zenyatta!!! I feel so BLESSED to be able to read these wonderful thoughts and feelings. My heart sang and danced when Z took flight and let herself go and just be a horse. It was incredible. You are sharing a wonderful gift, the adventures of Zenyatta and it is the best gift of all time. Thank you!! Wishing the entire Team Zenyatta a very Merry Christmas as you have made Christmas for many here.
Lisa Odom
What a beautiful moment. I know she’s a;ways been treated like a queen but it’s awesome to see her SO happy. LOVE her!!
Joani Jiannine
You, my sweet Zen, are simply beautiful! What a Christmas present to forever watch as you shared your first ‘FREEDOM” in your new home with all of us! I am so glad your California family was there to surprise you and share in that wonderful time!
Thank you ALL so much for sharing this so special moment with we, her fans.
Sug
Good Morning Lady Z. Your video was amazing! You are the queen.
Nancy
Thanks for keeping us updated on your new life, Z. You and your team are amazing!
MaryMcQuire
Wow! Free at last! You are such a character! Loved the “happy tail” and the vocalization.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, The video of your entire free day was on my mind when I woke up this morning..wow, what a feeling. I cannot get enough of you. More, more. Soon you will have someone from your barn with you to run with. Cannot wait to see that. Have a beautiful day, Queen. Love and Hugs…Lisa g
Liza G. Fly
Thank You Team Z, for loving her so much.
Cheryl Denton
Oh sweet Zenyatta–Just when you thought life couldn’t get any better here come your friends to share this very special day with you. It was so great to see you running in the snow, you are such a thing of beauty. We feel your pure joy and love of life–you are the best! Lots of love to you and your crew! xo
Sarah Powell
Wow!! There’s no other horse that has connections like Queen Z! I’m reading this with the tears flowing – again. The video was great and the description in this post is icing on the cake. It was wonderful seeing her with Mario leading again and the smile on his face said it all. She is just so beautiful.
Stella Bagwell
What a lovely, lovely girl you are, Zenyatta! Seeing you running free put tears in my eyes and a smile on my face!
Sending lots of hugs and Christmas cheer your way!
Stel