Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ziconic

Welcome to Templeton Farms, Ziconic’s New Home

Gina Bornino Miller, Owner Templeton Farms, & Ziconic (PC Linda R. Moss)

Dear Fans,

We hope you have had a wonderful Summer! So many of you have asked about Templeton Farms and possible visits – while we are not yet ready for visitors, we excited to share with you a typical day in Ziconic’s OTTB life at a working Sport Horse Farm.

Templeton Farms Equestrian (TFE) is the realization of our good friend, Gina Bornino Miller’s dream to build a World-Class Sport Horse Training, Sales, and Breeding Facility for both horses and their riders along the California Central Coast. Dream Realized! On this beautiful 52-acre farm Gina and her late husband, Bill, built TFE along the Salinas aquifer, Templeton, CA. We believe that both horses and humans thrive here. In fact, Milyone, Zenyatta’s racing stablemate, has called TFE home for 7 ½ years.

One of the things we love about TFE is it is very welcoming, and horses settle in quickly. Ziconic is no different, he has quickly become right at home and is making friends – he constantly reminds us he is a very quick learner!

For us, when we arrive at the Farm, we immediately transcend into an equestrian experience that is at the intersection of horsey heaven, dressage and hunter/jumper athleticism, exceptional trainers, grooms, staff, and community.

Templeton Farms Entry Gate (PC Linda R. Moss)

TFE has 3 types of boarding; Ziconic lives in the Main Barn, which houses 24 spacious stalls with individual runs so the horses can freely walk outside – like having a private patio with your neighbors next door. Amenities in the barn include indoor and outdoor cross ties for grooming/tacking and bathing, theraplate, solarium, and personal tack lockers. And the team of grooms – which makes all this happen – are wonderful people with exceptional experience.

TFE Main Barn Isle (PC: Linda R. Moss)
Ziconic Enjoying His Walk-Out (PC: Linda R. Moss)

Ziconic starts his day about 6:00am when he goes on the walker for 1 hour. This gives him the opportunity to wake up, stretch his legs after being in his stall for the night, and work off some energy. This KRAFT walker is unique as it is an oval, so the horses are not walking on a circle the entire time which is better for their legs, joints, and natural balance.

Sarah and Ziconic at the Walker (PC: Linda R. Moss)

After Ziconic finishes on the walker, he comes in to eat his breakfast and relax. About 9:00am, Ziconic goes out for morning grass turnout. Templeton Farms is one of the only equestrian facilities in California that has grass pastures all year round – we feel very lucky as this natural state is so good for Ziconic’s overall health, digestion, and well-being just grazing for the morning.

Ziconic Enjoying His Morning Pasture Turnout (PC: Linda R. Moss)

About 12:00pm, Ziconic comes in for lunch and has some time to relax before he has his daily exercise, Monday through Friday. About 2:00pm his Trainer, Sarah Pollock who we introduced in July 2019, will start grooming and tacking Ziconic for his workout.

Ziconic & Sarah and Milyone & Mikayla Getting Ready for Exercise (PC: Linda R. Moss)

Depending on day of the week, weather, and how Ziconic is doing in his training program, Sarah and Ziconic have a variety of options to leverage! She will gauge each day what is best suited for Ziconic’s progress. He usually starts his work with a walk around part of the 1-mile track which weaves throughout the Farm. Just like us humans, this warms him up.

Earlier in the week, they may work in the round pen or occasionally the free jump shoot. Mondays tend to be less structured work after having Saturday and Sunday off with just walker and grass turnout.

Ziconic Free Jumping with Sarah And Some Help From Virginia & Tiffany (Video Credit: Linda R. Moss)

Usually a day a week, also influenced by weather, Ziconic gets to work on the flat in the covered arena. Here he and Sarah can focus on their lead changes, balance, and building consistency with Ziconic’s gates. This is also fun as Ziconic gets to look at himself in the mirrors!

Ziconic & Sarah Perfecting Their Flat Work (Video Credit: Mikayla Vosseller)

We think Ziconic’s favorite work is when he can go in one of the two outdoor jumping courts and, in his mind, PLAY! It is here that they work on cavaletties and poles, low level jumps as Ziconic learns, and different gates and patterns around the jumps.

Ziconic & Sarah Working on Agility Over Poles (Video Credit: Linda R. Moss)

Lastly depending on weather, Sarah and Ziconic will either walk the track or go in the covered arena to cool down. And now for the TRUE FUN – bath time! During the warm, summer months Ziconic gets hosed down and groomed every day after his workout.

Ziconic Enjoying Playing with Sarah During His Bath (Video Credit: Linda R. Moss)

Typically, Ziconic finishes his bath and grooming by 3:30 or 4:00pm, returns to his stall to relax, and dinner is typically fed around 4:30pm. The horses are then in for the night.

Ziconic In His Stall Enjoying Dinner (PC: Linda R. Moss)

We are forever grateful to Gina and Templeton Farms; without them, we do not know of another West Coast Sport Horse Farm of this caliber, multiple trainer options, and special community.

Ziconic Taking in The Templeton Farms Sky with Senaido, TFE Head Groom (PC: Linda R. Moss)

Reader Interactions

183 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Oh thank you so much for this glimpse into our Ziconic’s life! Templeton Farms looks absolutely beautiful. He is such a gorgeous guy — we are all so happy for him.

    This appears to be an equine paradise right there in California. Looking forward to all updates on The Red Prince in future.

    Thanks again to Team Z and the folks at TFE! Lookin’ good, Ziconic!

    Hugs and Love Forever

    • / Reply

      Dear Team Z:

      Oh, how gorgeous he is. Thank you so much for this wonderful update, photos and videos.

      So happy for you beautiful Red Prince. Love You. Hugs, JB

  2. / Reply

    Thank you so much for the pictures and videos of Ziconic. It was truly great getting to spend the day with him. He is so beautiful!

  4. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL and DC:

    Z, your Chestnut Boy looks wonderful and happy.

    Goodnight and Happy Dreams all. Love and Hugs, JB

  5. / Reply

    Thank you so much for the news and videos of Ziconic. It is such a privilege to watch them. Templeton Farms is a wonderful place for horses and Ziconic looks so happy during his workouts. Looking forward to more updates.

  7. / Reply

    Awesome setup! Thank you showing us what his day is like. You all are so very lucky to be around these magnificent equines. ?

  10. / Reply

    What a great post! Thank you so much for letting us share some of gorgeous Ziconic’s new life❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  11. / Reply

    Absolutely stunning! What a gorgeous place for our gorgeous Red Prince. He seems to be very happy. Yay! Thanks so very very much for letting all his fans take a peek at his new life and how he’s speninding his days.

  12. / Reply

    A day in the life of Ziconic! I love watching the transformation! Let us know if he’ll be going to the show in Sacramento next weekend…I’d love to come and cheer him on!

  13. / Reply

    Thank you for this update. I was thinking about Ziconic today, so having the update with the photos and videos is much appreciated. I hope he is enjoying his new job.

  14. / Reply

    What a beautiful life the Queen’s second son has. It’s so heartwarming to know he is so wonderfully taken care of! Makes my heart happy ?

  15. / Reply

    ? ZICONIC is gorgeous! I’m so proud of him. So happy that he’s happy!! Blessings always.

    XO Auntie Judy

  16. / Reply

    Thanks for the peek into Ziconics day!! It’s obvious he’s in good hands and he’s a happy guy! He’s such a beautiful horse, I am excited to see where his new career takes him!!

  19. / Reply

    Opened this up today and what a treat! I love the way he is able to interact with others with a lot of freedom of movement and did not have to give up the green pastures. He is so handsome, this handsome redhead Prince of the great Zenyatta. I love all of her foals and it appears that a great decision was made in sending him to Templeton Farms. I know he will excel in his new career. Thanks for taking fans thru his day, now I am able to picture what he is doing when I get updates. I appreciate all the information and am truly happy for him.

  20. / Reply

    Thanks for the update on him. I wish he got more than 3 hours of solo turn out a day but the farm does look beautiful.

  21. / Reply

    How Fabulous! Grass pasture in California, with the exception of winter, is unheard of! He’s a very blessed horse! Thank You for the post!

    • / Reply

      Isn’t she just the most lovely filly! Must mean so much to Mario. May she run with eagle’s wings and stay sound and healthy for a long and happy lifetime.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. Zellda looks great, and it is so good to see her with Mario! All the very BEST to this beautiful girl, and may she be safe and happy always.

      ? ?

      Hugs and Love

  25. / Reply

    Thank you, Team Zenyatta, for the great update and photos of our beautiful boy Ziconic!! It makes me so happy he has such a good life now and is not stuck in a small stall all day and night. He is learning so much new and seems to be treated with love and kindness – we could not ask for more. Thanks from my heart!

  26. / Reply

    Thanks for the wonderful update on sweet Ziconic!! He looks so happy and healthy and his new home- Love hearing how he is adjusting to his new career! Thanks Team Z and Templeton?

  30. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Thank you for sharing the wonderful video of ZEL and Mario. God Bless her and Godspeed. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

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