Good Morning,
I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I sure did! It all started on Friday afternoon when several of MY BARN 55 FRIENDS flew into Lexington for MY BIRTHDAY! Ann, Dottie, Dawn Hunkin (one of my vets), Michelle (one of John’s assistants and my personal masseuse while I was at the barn), Isabelle (who was my rider whenever Steve was off)Lara and Claudia (Moss family members and 2 of my biggest cheerleaders) all flew in to be with me for the celebration. Sarah joined us when everyone got to the farm. This was all planned in advance…so it is very special that it was able to really HAPPEN!
Charles and the guys helped me get ready for my party. I was outside grazing after my bath when everyone arrived. There were all kinds of snacks and goodies to eat! My favorites were carrots, pears, bananas and peppermints. There was a SPECIAL CAKE JUST FOR ME…and cupcakes for everyone at the farm. They had Z’s, Apple Blossoms or Crowns on them! My John sent his camera with Dottie…so we have tons of photos for him to download and share with ALL OF YOU later this week.
I also received so many cards and gifts from so many wonderful people. You guys are too much! The photo at the top of the page is from a kindergarten class in New York. They did a life-size drawing of ME. They used cotton balls for the white on my legs and my blaze and yarn for my mane and tail. The students wrote me messages all over the card! This really took a great deal of hard work for the students and their teacher. It is absolutely TOO CUTE! It is also very touching that they would do this for ME! We have sent this card back to California to Barn 55 where John is going to display it. I am SO PROUD!
The 5th grade class from Ohio sent a fruit basket (it was terrific) and some of you even sent ME checks for the farm to buy me peppermints and fruit. I am truly speechless at all of this KINDNESS! I want you to know…I am DEEPLY TOUCHED and VERY APPRECIATIVE of all of this THOUGHTFULNESS!
I’m now 7! I can’t wait for John to share the rest of the photos with you of my PARTY! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING!
On another note, I wanted to let you know about the ZENYATTA BRONZE CONTEST! As Dottie was out of town this weekend, she could not get to the post office to get all of the entries until later today. Thus, in fairness to everyone, we’ll start the drawing on Wednesday. We will pick the 64 cards for the first part of the contest on that day. So sorry for the inconvenience…but there was no way to get the cards from the last few days until this afternoon. We appreciate your understanding this change in schedule!
Again, thank you for making ME FEEL SO SPECIAL in SO MANY WAYS!
With love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta the children loved the card and your picture. I let some of them write to you. We have your site up everyday. They love to read about you. I hope you have a good day and maybe we will get some sunshine this afternoon. It finally stopped raining. I hope it is nice in Kentucky. Have a good one. We love you from Shari and Homeroom 215 XXXOO
@William your post was beautiful. It made me cry. Never give up Hope. We all have each other :)
@Amanda my heart goes out to you. God Bless you
@Kathryn Cogswell what a beautiful story. You were lucky to have that wonderful horse connect to your soul.
Especially Horses
Ah, that photo (even reversed, good catch all you sleuths who noticed) of Z eating her birthday carrots is so adorable. I really wish I could kiss that nose of hers. I’ve only owned a horse once (high school graduation present from my father), but I remember showering her soft nose with kisses, lol. As much as I enjoyed riding Candy Buck, I got just as much pleasure out of grooming her and making sure she was smooth as silk and shined liked a copper penny.
Kathryn Cogswell
Before this Diary Post rolls on to #220, one other thing occurred which reminded me to encourage you read again about the people surrounding Zenyatta, from her breeder to Don Robinson of Winter Quarter Farm, who foaled and raised her; of course, your are aware of her later connections and the refining of her gifts their insights honed. Particularly, it is the example of Mr. Robinson, which came by his own random route, that instructs how and why a solid heart means much more than even expertise can groom. His life on a farm was interrupted by a personal search for meaning and accomplishment apart from the one his family might have given him outright. When his father`s failing health brought him back to Kentucky, it was that good heart and an observable ethic the established clientele respected, not a polished expertise — that, they believed, he could learn, or be taught. While we search for meaning in a world often void of authenticity, finding the true in ourselves and others is more promising than even skills or glib star-power or riches. Trusting the authentic is where good works begin: every person associated with ‘This Big Horse’ we so respect came from such roots, or made very sure to graft themselves to & learn from, someone who did. Human children can tell the true and ‘have a great sense of fairness,’ a friend once said. There is still, in us, that child we were; someone we may repeatedly trust and prove trustworthy. That is why animals trust us — when we are lucky enough to find that they will — and are more forgiving than we of our honest mistakes.
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta hope you enjoyed the Treat basket!We enjoy reading the post! Its so awesome that we can keep in touch with you!!
Love Brooke and Ally
Sharon in Seattle
we can see that birthday, party glow about you, girl!! let the good times roll, on and on. . .
Marilyn and Melody braudrick
Dear Zenyatta,
and Dottie and all of the team. Thank you for this website. I read every post.. I miss you so very much. Happy, happy birthday, Zenyatta on April 1–the same date our 2 yr. old puppy, Colette, was born. I havn’t written so much because i miss you so much it makes me cry. We havnt been back to your stall since you left. I will wait until I can visit and not cry. I am praying for a successful mating this week and I am going to stop crying and put more energy into a successful pregnancy for you. Melody is much braver than I have been. I’ve become a cry baby because I still want you in California here with your family. If this next mating works out, why not come back and have your baby here in California surrounded by your family??
Love you, Zenyatta and again thanks to Dottie and all the team Zenyatta!!!Love Marilyn and Melody
Kathryn Cogswell
Coming from an editor`s perspective & being pretty overwhelmed by recent unexpected notices, it left me mute simply to say, ‘thank you’ for those from ShariV, Lydia, Trina, RPK, Rene` — S. in SD, and Jane in Seattle, too . .. No one writes in a vacuum, but while we are not just tapping keys, there are those of you who make and take note of one anothers` lives and offer such good wishes, it leaves this one recipient at a loss, especially when some of you confront, survive and solve daily, staggering complications that would fell oxen — and you do it all w/ the serenity you bring here .. . Thank you, then, for genuine Graduate Level lessons in grace; you must know who you are. Kc.
Patricia & Ella Emery
Hi Zen…Ella is at school and she is going to totally flip when she gets home to see this post! This is absolutely “fan”-tastic…so glad to hear Ann and the girls joined you on your special day…girl time is very special!
Love the photo of you eating your carrots…you look absolutely “marvelous!”
Anyway, any news on your next meeting with Bernie? Oh! Those cupcakes are awesome looking…have a great day. I will have Ella write a note when she gets home
Hugs & kisses
Sue
Absolutely wonderful photos, Zenny. Thanks for sharing them and for sharing your thoughts. The drawing of you by the children is such a treasure. As everyone has said already, such love emanating from all corners of the world is truly awesome. We all love ya, Zenyatta! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMAZING GIRL :)
Judy Maass Gadwood Loves Zenny
Zenny ~ I woke up this morning at 5 a.m. with a panic attack! I’m thinking… there’s no way I capture your essence in the post cards I submitted. It would take chapters and chapter of how YOU captured my heart, beautiful Queen!
The ONLY other horse I did my jockey silk colors manicure for was charismatic JOHN HENRY. Only you and John inspired me to do that! :-)
BTW I’ve been craving cupcakes!!! LOL
Gloria Jeanne
Dear Zenny, You bring so much joy and happieness to my life everyday day. Love you
pamela
WOW ZENYATTA WHAT A PARTY!!!! Thanks for sharing the photos can’t wait to see more of them. A special day for a special horse. Love and Kisses
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To Anne: I think that’s a great idea–to let Zenyatta choose the winner. It could be figured out somehow. The cards could be laminated, put in a bucket or presented to Zenyatta like playing cards held splayed out in the hand, and see which one she picks. If we fans choose from the remaining four, I believe that the cards should be presented anonymously. Names can override choice based on the merits.
To Kathryn: Is it the Bloodhorse Commemorative that tells the story of Zenyatta’s life?
Thank you so much for the graceful, gracious acknowledgment of all of us here. Your eloquent words transcend the limits of social website constraints. RPK
Sharon Call
@Holly. Time for a reality check. The people at LE have their hands full right now. They have foals being born almost every day, mares being bred, stallions being bred. It’s not their job to take pictures or videos and we’re really lucky that they have time to do it at all. John Shireffs and Dottie have their hands full with training and pre-Triple Crown preparations but yet they take the time to keep these posts going on a daily basis. We all love this site and surely want more pic’s and videos but let’s not lose site of all of the other things all of these people have to do in their daily jobs. That’s why you see folks saying they’d love to have another pic/video when possible. We all understand that the LE people don’t just run around with a camera to get pictures of Z for her web site so let’s be grateful for what we get and not criticize because it’s not as much as we want.
Marilu V
Hi Zeny! So happy you had a great day!
Hope you are all safe after the bad weather with 120 mile winds according to the news. Hugs, Marilu
To Kathryn C: Thank you for that beautiful story and your inspiring words of wisdom. Marilu
Cathy P
Hi Zenyatta, It’s so nice to hear that you had a wonderful Birthday. And thank you for the great picture of you we (your fans)all love to see pictures of you. With Lots of Love and Big, Big hugs. P.S. Zenyatta and everyone at LE I hope you have a nice day today.
Charlotte A. Farmer
I cannot believe the pictures, they are just great. Everyone looks so happy, including you. What a special day for a special lady.
Kathryn Cogswell
Don`t hold your breath, Robbie: https://www.bloodhorse.com/special-products/products/1/zenyatta-special-commemorative-collectors-issue?utm_source=bloodhorse&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=BH-ZEN ~ Also offered by several other sources when ‘googled.’ If this works, it should go straight to [or I shall go straight to] a Guinness record. K.
J Smith
@ HOLLY !!!!! Sharon Call already said what needs to be said, so I shall leave it at that.
Abigail from Montreal
@ William.
This is one of the most powerful pieces of writing that I have read in a very long time. It’s okay that you don’t know your path in life @ 35….so many great people (and horses!) only really come into their own later in life. It’s a myth that “bang!” at 18 or 21, you know what you want to do. It’s like a lot of myths society kind of invents for who-knows-what-reason. But don’t be fooled by all that guff! Go ahead — make your plans to see Zenyatta. You never really know where that might lead you, William. I mean, I answered a blog Steve Haskin wrote about Zenyatta and ended up starting my own horse racing blog. It’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole long life & never had the confidence to start, until Zenyatta, Dottie & John Shirreffs, Steve Haskin and all the wonderful people you meet on Zenny’s site came tumbling into my life.
So you just SHINE ON, William.
Maria K.
I am sooo glad you had a wonderful birthday. I love your picture eating carrot. You look so elegant and beautiful. I love you Queen Z.
tbpartner43
Every horse should know this kind of love.
audreyc
@ Amanda – My sympathy for you & your family, at the loss of your cousin.
@ William – Keep searching within your soul. I believe that one does know, at a very deep level, where one’s interests, skills & abilities lie. Sometimes, things can get muddled through life experiences, societal or parental expectations, a lack of support, uncertainties within oneself. Life is a journey, and not a destination. Everyone’s journey is different. You may currently be in a “cocooning” period, and your “ah hah” moment is soon to crystallize. I wish you well.
Jane in Novelty
To Sharon Call; I know almost everyone that comes to this site loves Z. I don’t know if all her followers know how it is working with and caring for horses. It is unlike any other job. They are a living thing, a large living creature with many needs and things to watch for. Sometimes (rare times) things are quiet and there are times for the luxury of photos, videos and so forth. Add the high level of competition her team, caretakers, stall mates and owners are involved with and taking time for liesure items is sometimes next to impossible. Thank you for keeping this site going and doing all you do in and around Z’s life.
audreyc
Love the Bd. pics. The card is wonderful!
I have a little story that I would like to share, as I do feel rather happy that I knew what to do, and that it worked so well. The horse I lease, Emma, is a very sensitive, and rather hypervigilant mare. Her nature has both positive and negative aspects. She will mirror my every move on the ground. All I need to do is wiggle my two fingers at her chest, and she will back up. When riding her, she will sidepass, with the slightest leg pressure. She also is a very forward horse (proud to say she is related to Zenyatta, through Raise a Native). Conversely, she is a horse that, if any little thing has been moved in the barn aisle, she will stop, tense, ears forward, eyes widened, and need to look at everything else before moving forward to her stall. The other day I went to ride her. The barn is getting ready for a show, and all of the jumps were set up, with lots of brightly colored flowers, a tent set up right outside the gate, and everything changed. So, what I did was to bring her into the arena, take her halter off, and, walked to every jump. I thought that, with no halter or lead line, Emma would feel confident that she was free to run (in the event a flower, or the tent, was a horse eating monster) Emma will often follow me on the ground, and she did, this time. I allowed her time to look at, and sniff the flowers. I then tacked her up, got on, and we had a wonderful, relaxing ride. Just being sensitive to “my” mare, and taking the extra 20 minutes to prepare her, made all the difference. If I had just tacked her up, and brought her in, she would have been tense, and spooky. I believe the trust between us, just got a bit deeper.
MaryAnn Donahue
People make you feel special, Zenyatta, because you are SPECIAL, precious and so much more than mere words can convey.
I am so glad many of your Califrnia friends came to see you, but I’m not surprised. They love you so much.
with love & appreciation,
Mary Ann
Penny
I love the carrot picture. Can we buy a copy from Frances?
Jan from Georgia
Woohoo, Big Girl!!
Very glad to see that you enjoyed your Birthday!! I love the pics of all your goodies-too cute!! especially the one with you and your cake!! Love You!!
lizzy
@audreyc:
BUU-TEE-FULL story you shared…felt like I was there with you. ;) Thank you for that. I think that is exactly how Zenyatta became to be, with patience and deliberate guidance.
Robyn Mullhausen
What a great celebration! Love you Zenny girl.