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
sue
Zenyatta-you are so special in EVERY WAY!
Melissa
We all love you so much Zenny. You are such a beautiful girl!!!!!
Marilu V
Dearest Zenyatta: You look so cute eating the carrots! What fun pictures. You look beautiful and content. Wow, you had so many special visitors. Hugs, Marilu
Joyce
Hi Queen Z
Happy Birthday again. The cupcakes look absolutely yummy!!! That was a great picture of you munching on a carrot, I am sure that is you favorite passtime now.
I can’t wait to see the rest of the birthday pictures!!
Love and nose kisses, Joyce
Toi
Hi Zenny!
What a wonderful day you had! You deserve it!
Sue Noel
What wonderful pictures–can’t wait to see the rest!! What a day you must have had—so many hugs and kisses from your family and friends. Truly hope you were able to feel all the love coming your way from all of us Bet you have a good supply of treats now!!! Sweet dreams tonight,beautiful girl!!
Rita Stack
Z thanks for sharing your special day,you look so terrific. I love you so much.
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. What a wonderful birthday celebration with your loved ones. We love the card – too precious and adore your pic eating your carrots – too cute. You are so beautiful. Can’t wait to see the rest of the pics. You are truly a gift always giving to each of us and you have captured the hearts of children and adults alike. You are an Angel in Disguise. Love you always. Enjoy your treats, eat well and have fun with your BBFs. Love you.
Vicki B.
I love that Great life-size card! And I’m sure you enjoyed your fruit, cake, and BFF’s. Doesn’t get much better, Zenny!
Donkeyhotey
what a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL photo! one of your best EVER and that is saying a lot. so happy to see you and all your family so very happy, thank you (and THEM!)for everything, you all make life beautiful for all of us.
sandy nielsen
an older man on the Discovery Channel’s show about the junk pickers, in Malibu< wore a Zenyatta hat throughout the show!!!
Jan
Zenyatta,
@ anyone. Which one is Charles?
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. There are those tears again. The life size card from the school children did it. I believe that all children benefit so much from the opportunity to get to know about the marvelous animals that live with us on this planet. When they start young, it gives them a caring appreciation and respect that they can take with them the rest of their lives. How fantastic that Ann and Dottie were accompanied by so many of the outstanding ladies from Barn 55 to share your special day. I’m sure they loved seeing you looking beautifully happy and healthy, as your picture shows. So many gifts, goodies and girlfriends to share with. The Lane’s End group were just “too cute” eating their cupcakes. Extra frosting for the birthday girl, I see. I just love you so much Zenny!! It brings such a joyful feeling to my heart to see how you bring out the very best in all of us. Then we in turn share that feeling with others, what an amazing gift. So glad you waited to make sure that you had all of the contest cards in. I was so touched when you told us John was reading some of them to Dottie. The outpouring of love that is being expressed by everyone in their own words has to be very moving indeed. Dottie and Sarah thank you again for everything you do!!! Zenny, sweet dreams. Hug and kisses. XXXOOO
Quarterhossgal
Zenny….I am so happy to hear that so many of your girl friends from CA came to see you on your birthday. The card from the children is priceless just like you are. Dottie…thank you for letting all of us continue to enjoy Zenyatta, she is so special!
L.S.
@Janet Cutting – They have a lead shank on her halter. As Sharon explained, you never lead a horse just by their halter because one quick jerk and you have a loose horse. In that picture Zenyatta is standing outside a barn, she’s not in her paddock so if she was to be startled and get loose she could run into the road and be hit by a car. Hence the lead shank and the extra security of the chain shank.
.
She’s not clipped, there is no reason to full body clip her. She’s just come fresh from her daily bath.
Kim
Glad you had a wonderful birthday, fit for a Queen!!!
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta What a card and by a kindergarten class! It is so beautiful. My class will be impressed. This card made me cry. I know how hard children work on projects. This class being so young did a remarkable job. They must be so proud. Thank you for mentioning the fruit basket. My class kept asking me if you got it and enjoyed it. Now they will know and be so happy. I am so glad your family got to see you. What a special day you had. You so deserve all that everyone does for you. You are just a very special girl. Thank you again Queen Z for all your love and caring for others. (Thank you Dottie for all you do for us. My class calls you the Horse Whisperer.) Good night sweet girl :) Hugs and Kisses from Shari in Ohio XXXOOO
@Robbie such a nice post :)
@Dawn thank you for the kind words. I wish we were not so far away. We could meet for a cup of tea. Have a good week :) God Bless
Peg
Love you, Z. Glad you enjoyed your special day
Jan
@ anyone. Which one is Charles?
Barb France
That’s one BIG bithday card with so much love written on it!! The picture of you with the carrot tops is priceless…I needed a chuckle today and you were there when I needed it..thanks to you! So glad you had a wonderful time with everyone who can to share your day.
@sue w..I agree that Dottie should get a special award for all the she has done and given to all of us fans! Your wonderful, Dottie!!!
Kathryn Cogswell
Once long ago, a mare I was visiting placed her big, lovely head against me, right at the point where the sternum crosses our hearts. She was heavy in foal, standing next to a pasture mate, whose foal had just appeared in recent days, and she used the flat, bony spot between her eyes, pressing into me, rocking. There was no anxiety in that pressure, and no jealousy; she was just a nurturing friend of the mama who already had her work cut out for her. Because it was my birthday, it meant the world to me — that flat place on a horse`s face is the natural spot we love to touch, but it should be done later, after making friends from under the jaw, lips, sueded nose and up from there. We were across a fenceline, so I felt reluctant to cross into her field, but she pushed into my heart and seemed glad someone was there to rub the tips of her ears and down her closed eyelids. ~ Once in awhile, even when you`re unsure what you`re doing, take the time to let an insructive creature trust you; it can be the best gift of a Spring day; and one that stays with you forever. ~ Zenyatta, you can`t imagine the serenity your loving heart sifts over this weary old world.
judy berube
Dear Z,
So glad you had a great visit with some of your California Team and friends. You look beautiful in the photo. Thank you John and Dottie and we look forward to more of the photos. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
Kari Bussell
Zenyatta~ You are too precious! I am so happy you are so happy and you had such a wonderful birthday. I love the pictures.
Thank you Dottie, nothing by joy!
Laurie Caebe
You look amazing. Horse of the Year all over again. :)
Dolores Pshsnychniak
What a Beautiful photo of you enjoying a B-day carrot!
Laurie Caebe
You look amazing.
Linda from Vermont
Those cupcakes look soooo goood! Can’t wait to see the pics! May this coming year be as blessed as this past one!!
Janet Cutting
@L.S. and @Sharon Call–Thanks, for the perfect explaination–I now know what a lead /line shank is and why it attached to her harness. I am learning that there is a lot of equipment that goes along with horses.
L.S.
@Janet Cutting – Also, it’s not a harness. It’s called a halter.
Janet Cutting
@ L.S. Oh no, I am not doing good in class tonight– is is a lead line/shank attached to her halter. I dont know where I got harness from. Laughing– Janet C