Happy March Madness to Everyone!
As you all know, I am a huge SPORTS FAN! I have always loved competition and being an athlete…so I admire people who do the WORK it takes to perform at a HIGH LEVEL in athletic competition. I love SPORTS! March is particularly fun as it is the beginning of March Madness in College Basketball. Dottie printed out the GRID for me to follow the games. What a great time!
The teams who play around my BARN 55 home are UCLA and USC. San Diego State seems to be a team to really follow this year. They look to be one of the top contenders. Many sportscasters feel they can make it to the FINAL FOUR. Their campus is located a bit down the freeway from Del Mar where I’ve raced in the summer. Such FUN!
Now, living in Kentucky I have noticed that this is a real BASKETBALL STATE. Between the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Louisville Cardinals, there is always some great basketball to follow. So, in your free time, print your grid…and enjoy the games.
I’ll be watching and following MARCH MADNESS with all of my friends here at Lane’s End. I know Dottie and John will be doing the same at home! Since I’m a HORSE and don’t have an Alma Mater to cheer for…I will be following my HOME teams…both CA and KY. Good Luck to each participant in the Tournament! Work hard and remember to have fun with it!
On another note, I wanted to take a few moments and answer some of your questions. I asked my Lane’s End friends about LIFE IS SWEET! She has not foaled yet. Due soon…but no baby yet. I’ll keep you posted. She is in foal to Smart Strike! Hooves Crossed for my dear friend and her soon-to-be foal!
For those of you who inquired about the Diary Entry numbers, the first set went from # 1-100. This series is beginning with #201 and moving forward. I just wanted to set this group apart from the first one. It is an entirely different series to capture a new chapter in my life. For those of you who asked about this…you did not miss any of them. You are TOO CUTE and VERY SWEET to ask!
Also, I’d like to thank Mathea Kelley for the piece she did in THE BLOODHORSE about ME titled “ZENYATTA LOOKING GOOD”! The photos are fabulous, in my opinion. (Blush, Blush!) I think I look really PLAYFUL in my cute snowy whiskers close-up and then very sophisticated and dignified in several of the other photos. I hope you enjoy them!
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throughthelens/archive/2011/03/14/zenyatta-s-looking-good.aspx?
We are working on the Z pins and continuing to work out things on the web-site to make it EASIER and FUN for you. We are trying hard to FIX the INTERNET/FACEBOOK problem for you. Thanks for your patience!
Have a wonderful day! Get out your grids and be picking YOUR TEAMS! Who do you think will make it to the FINAL FOUR…and then WIN it ALL? SUCH FUN!
With love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Oh WOW! I just checked my FACEBOOK PAGE. I have over 69,000 FRIENDS. I am SO EXCITED!
Molly
Has the Zenyatta Team thought about having a “horse whisperer” talk to Zenyatta? This transition has to be tough for Zen and as good as conditions are at Lanes End, wouldn’t it be great to have Zeny’s input as to how to make things better for her. A happy Zenyatta should make for a healthy foal. I am not a horse whisperer, but just read “Horse Miracles” and these folks do seem to help our equine friends. Just a thought, Dottie.
Nancy Marashio
Thanks for adding the beautiful photo of Zenyatta as she is now to the racing photos that lead us into her site; unsaddled and in nature, she reinforces her transition as she should.
Karey R
@Molly, I really like your idea. It seems that everyone is sincerely trying to answer her every need and craving, but it would be fascinating to hear what a horse whisperer could pick up from her.
L
@Molly,
Given how generous Lanes End has been at giving Zenyatta’s fans unprecedented access to her as well as very open information as to their own processes I can’t help but feel such a suggestion is a bit of a slap in the face to them.
Lanes End is full of experienced, consummate horsemen(women) who work hard day and night with all their charges. They come to know them as well as anyone and given how much Jerry and Ann Moss love this mare there is no doubt in my mind that they sent her into the best hands -in THEIR minds- possible.
To come across as suggesting that Lanes End does not have there complete wherewithal to properly transition any horse into the next stage of their career just sounds a touch rude and presumptive.
Let Zenyatta’s handlers do their jobs. Team Z has not set a foot wrong with this mare since they bought her and I trust their judgement on who puts hands on their mare.
Barbara Wood
Hello, precious one. I think about you so often during the day. A few days ago, someone had the suggestion that you might want to wear one of your angels on your halter during your pregnancy. It seemed like a great idea to me. Does anyone know if this has been implemented?
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Good morning Snow-Angel! Beautiful pictures…my Irish eyes are smiling : )Blessings to your family and prayers for our brave friends in Japan.
Susan
Hay Z: I was at Gulfstream on Saturday to watch Uncle Mo run his first 3 year race and got a real kick out of seeing Zenyatta hats and shirts in the crowd!
It was so cool to realize that from coast to coast you are loved. Of course I wore my TROTT shirt which everyone loved.
Can’t wait for the Z pin to be available
Get John to get your March Madness picks in a pool.
Have fun-love you
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Molly: ‘A rose by any other name . ..’ has been comforting to me, watching a gifted, sensitive mare re-located from a relatively intimate circle of care to a larger, more formal one, concentrated by necessity on lives other than hers. All that goes into change, she has accomplished with the same grace she learned from those dedicated persons she has been fortunate to know from birth. The farrier who first shod ‘Z’ is back in her galaxy; Don Robinson, who foaled her, and his Audrey, are just down the road. David Ingordo checks on her regularly. When she and the girls ‘nested’ of a sunny morning, Cooper Sawyer stopped, and with his camera picked off a photo [see #89] no one could have posed. ~ From far or near, plenty of concerned members of her extended family watch and wonder what`s going on with this particularly well-connected mare .. . as they do, she may send signals, if she cares to. And imagine the scurrying about that will follow any wisp of dissatisfaction or distress she registers. She IS on a large stage of a different sort, with plenty of knowing folk who love her watching as the show goes on. They have plenty to learn from her. Patience with how she`s progressing is one seemly courtesy I have had to learn. As I wait, surprising, delightful treatment attends her which I was afraid might not occur. It is much the same as letting go when growing children stretch to their next plane: tadpoles to dolphins, being in the swim with some privacy conveys trust. But your voice in the suggestion seemed sweet to me. Thank you. Khc.
Donna
John and Dottie,
I just saw the replay of Cloud Man, what a finish, I am sure that you are all thrilled with him, especially those fractions on the turf.
Mr and Mrs Moss have bred a very promising turf horse, also very visually impressive.
DJ
p.s. “Dairy, Diary”…I am sure Zenyatta would prefer the first : ) Either way, loves see with the heart not the eyes.
Barbara Wood
Kathryn Cogswell–well said!
Kathryn Cogswell
Say, BW: How ARE YOU? Thought about that knee about the time M. Shirreffs was checking ‘Z`s pins on Nina Kaiser`s Artist`s Proof #2, and hoping your Orthopaedic Team is as thorough .. . Keep us in the loop, Yes??. Kc.
max
Owners like the Mosses always know what is best for their horses. Northern Dancer was a very difficult horse to handle. He liked to bite. His owner, E.P. Taylor, was advised by experts to geld him. The Dancer was however the favorite of Taylor’s wife and he was not gelded. Had experts prevailed a great stud career would have been lost. It is obvious that the Mosses and Team Z know what they are doing for the incomparable Queen. Stay well, beautiful Zenyatta.
Ida Lee
I’m at work; needed a Queen Zenyatta break; all I have time to say is “TOO CUTE”…until tomorrow Sweetheart…
Sharon Call
@Donna. Where did you see the replay of Cloud Man? I’m in Georgia and dependant on the Internet for this. I have cable not dish and so don’t get HRTV or anything like it. Hope you saw this on the ‘Net.
@Kathryn. Guess I missed something here. Did Z have a problem with one of her knees?
Kathryn Cogswell
Sharon CALL: Hi. No; Barbara Wood is having knee surgery & I said I was hoping she will have good care, too. Does that make better sense?
Christine in VA
Hi Zen
Just an update on the baby eagles. There are two hatched now. Spring is here and little ones are making an appearance. NEW LIFE IS GREAT ZEN
http://www.wvec.com/marketplace/microsite-content/eagle-cam.html
Sharon Call
@Kathryn. Yes, it does. I misunderstood. Thanks!
Karey R
Christine in VA: Thank you for the reminder about this fabulous live eaglecam. Just watched one of the parents feeding two of the new hatchlings.
Amazing and beautiful.
sandra gomez
Great photos Zenny! We never get tired of seeing you.. you are one beautiful, classy girl!!
Kathryn Cogswell
And do Not miss Karina Bussell`s ‘Joy To The World,’ on ‘Z`s FB page http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial just now, in the last 45 minutes! How Karina could take images we know, and love, then put such a fresh spin on them, is real artistry, and then some! See?
Barbara Wood
@Kathryn–thanks! We’re going to try to take the laptop with us, and my sweet husband will try to read me the posts each day so I can stay connected. My dr. does only knee replacements, and my husband has had 2 already from him, so I feel in good hands. Thanks for the good wishes. Hope the laptop will work in the hospital.
Lois Gillespie
@Sharon Call: I’m sure there are other sites, but you can register for free at calracing.com. Once in the site, go to “race replays” and “horse” . Type in the horse’s name and dates will come up. Click on which ever race you want. It’s the best site I’ve found because you can navigate using the horse’s name, no need to know exactly which race until the choices come up. Good luck! Thanks to all here who provide interesting (and informative) links – loved the eagle cam!
good night Z, spring is really coming —
Gloria Jeanne
@ Kathryn for the facebook update that’s pretty cool.
Karey R
Kathryn Cogswell, thank you for the link to this joy-filled video! I treasure your ‘civil’ and ladylike yet upbeat spin on things here.
Karina Bussell, wow, what a gift to the world you created! It’s fabulous how so many of the photos sinc up perfectly with fitting lyrics in the song. NICE WORK!!!
(And A LOT of work, too!)
Barbara Wood, You will have many caring people keeping you company in spirit. Soon you will be a dancing queen yourself!
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To Kathryn: Lovely post in its description of the weave of love and concern that surrounds this “particularly well-connected mare.”
These lines were especially important for us all and kind: “Patience with how she`s progressing is one seemly courtesy I have had to learn. As I wait, surprising, delightful treatment attends her which I was afraid might not occur. . . being in the swim [of Zenyatta’s unfolding life, as we have the privilege to be] with some privacy conveys trust. But your voice in the suggestion seemed sweet to me.”
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta Momma –
Maybe you and Pirate Queen and the rest of the girls might like to see this lovely video about your beau, Bernardini, which I came across today:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch-video/27696514-FBCC-4929-8800-38233BBF37A3?&utm_source=WeekInReviewNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110316
.
In this video some of Bernardini’s history and attributes are discussed, and he is grandly walked about so we can see him from every angle. I swear, Queen Z, he just might be the male counterpart of YOU! Once again we are thrilled with the wisdom of the Mosses, Dottie, John, and the Team who selected him for your first foal.
.
Also, I see on Blood-Horse that he is ranked fourth in the 2011 Leading Second-Crop Sires with his offspring yielding nearly a half million in winnings.
.
I hope Zenyatta rests peacefully this evening with dreams of blue grass and butterflies. Big Horse Hugs ~~ HH
Janet Cutting
I was wondering…… will it be that Zenny and her mare friends will stay together even when they have their new foals? I thought Pirate Queen appeared very close to Zenny. I dont know if horses develop a friendship bond between them. It would be a riot watching the foals play together. Hey, it would be difficult for me not to run in there and play with the foals–like I do with my Chow and rotweiler. Ok, I can hear ENSIGN getting steamed about that comment–we dont run with the foals like dogs–missy. Just being a little funny today – I had a boring day at work. Take care all.
L
@Janet Cuttings,
LOL! It’s an adorable picture and trust me it can be very hard to resist a paddock full of foals especially when they’re romping. But then you quickly remember that like all babies, they don’t know their boundaries yet. They’d play with you like another foal and those little hooves and spindly legs can still pack a hell of a whallop!
Plus mares can be very funny. They can be utter dolls to handle when they don’t have a foal with them but when they are ‘Momma’ they are ‘MOMMA BEAR!’ and you’d better know what you’re doing when you approach their baby.
Janet Cutting
@L thanks, for the warning. You know, when my husband and I drove to Yellowstone (and yes the dogs too) the buffalo just had their calves and we were in our F-150 and there were probably 30 buffalo/calves on the road too–well,my chow decides to yawn–making a noise– this caught their attention FAST– ALL BUFFALO HEADS TURNED TO US–we rolled our windows up and didnt move–they decided no danger- but yeah–watch out for MOMMA.