Happy Wednesday, Everyone!
This is TOO CUTE! Here are my 2 very special friends, Carmen and Michelle, drawing the SWEET SIXTEEN cards. These people will advance to the next level of the ZENYATTA BRONZE CONTEST! I must say, I just love the fact that I’m dancing right over Carmen’s shoulder while all of this is happening! I feel like I’m really participating in all of these activities right along with YOU and my BARN 55 Friends!
As you can see, these girls are really following directions. Carmen has her head turned away from the bucket and Michelle’s eyes are closed tight. Each one drew out 8 cards. What FUN! And, of course, there was NO PEEKING!
Here are the names of the 16 people who will move on to the ELITE EIGHT!
1. Heidi Kruckenbert……………..Vallejo, CA
2. Louann Cingel…………………..Union, MO
3. Valerie Franklin…………………Davison, MI
4. William Uecker………………….Boerne, TX
5. Dawn Conrad……………………Cedaredge, CO
6. Pam Giles………………………..Newman, GA
7. Karen Mitchell…………………..Berkeley, CA
8. Ingrid Esguerra…………………Miami, FL
9. Ann Ransone…………………… Walkerton, VA
10. Vicki Vinson…………………….Apple Valley, CA
11. Sharon Peck……………………Seattle, WA
12. Cathy Lassilo……………………Tacoma, WA
13. Georgia Harper…………………Bellevue, WA
14. Thomas Ronholm……………….Rochester, NY
15. Linda Henderson……………….Seminole, TX
16. Sarah Powell…………………….Clemson, SC
Congratulations to ALL 16! It is also interesting to note the number of different states represented at this level. The next step will be the Elite Eight. Those cards will be drawn at the end of this week.
This is getting exciting!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta,Cute photo of the drawing the sweet 16. Congratulations to all who made the list. It is really special to make it this far. @Karen & Dawn-I’m pulling for you both. It won’t be long till we know who the luckiest person is to WIN!
@Anna-I am so sorry for your loss of the colt. I know it is just so heart breaking to see them run and then to find out he has a broken leg, I can’t imagine what it was like to see that.
@LS- Thank You SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENT ON LE. I praise LE and want LE to continue to protect Zenyatta as they have done. I love Zenyatta so much and I don’t think she should have any visitors for a long, long time. She is just too valuable to all of us to have her health & safety put at risk. As long as I can read about her and see photos in this wonderful Zenyatta web page, thanks to Dottie,and know that she is happy, healthy & enjoying being a horse, I am thrilled just to know that. Zenyatta must be protected! She is a living legend which we have never seen before. Zenyatta gave us so much of herself in racing and now it’s time for her to enjoy herself without having to perform for everyone. I just love Zenyatta so much! I can never thank her enough for giving me such wonderful memories of her racing & watching her brillant display of wisdom in every race especially her 20th race. I play that race over & over in my mind. It has such a powerful display of determination & showing what a superhorse is made of. Zenyatta, you are the perfect horse to me and I’m just glad to be able to say I saw you race. I hope you are resting now. Sending Hugs & Kisses From Alabama With love, Amanda G.
Holly Zemba
Congratulations to the Sweet Sixteen!!
Paula Higgins
Good luck to all of you!!!!!!!! The Antique Roadshow just showed some bronze horses from the early 20th century and they were appraised for a hefty sum. (Frankly, I think Zenyatta’s sculpture is more beautiful than the ones they showed). So the sculpture will go up on value. But let’s face it, our girl is PRICELESS any way!
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. Congratulations to the sweet 16. Good luck fellow Texans. I just love the pictures hanging in Barn 55 – just awesome. Love you so. Enjoy the spring weather, eat well and have lots of fun with your paddock BBFs. Will not be able to view your diary until late Sunday; will surely miss you. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
audreyc
@Dawn Conrad – I read your post on Fred Stone’s “Century of Heroes”. I have number 1214, out of the 2000 limited edition lithographs he did. I bought it at Del Mar racetrack, when I was living in San Diego county (10 years ago). I remember, when I saw it, with the ghosts of the “great ones” – Secretariat, Ruffian, etc., coming over the Churchill Downs spires, and the foal, representing the future, lying in the front, that I HAD to have it. It is just sooo very ethereal, poignant, etc. It spoke to me. I did not know that the beautiful chestnut foal which he used as a model, died. Wow….now, it is even more poignant. Thanks for sharing this, and good luck to you, along with the other
16 …
@ Anna – Oh, what can I say? What a heartbreak. I am soo very sorry.
I must admit, with every good thing, good story, accolade, etc., I cannot help but also think about the unfortunate ones – people, animals, that are just as deserving – but ……If a wish could be transformed into reality, I would wish that every living sentient being was loved, cherished, and had the support and fortune, to reach each’s inherent potential, for which they were born.
Dona
Every day I scan this web site and the bloodhorse site for news on your condition. Anxiously waiting. Luv ya
suemar
@l.s Thanks for explaining about breeding season. I can not imagine going there or expecting to do so during that time. We all want to visit you Z but also we respect you so much and your new friends.
I had the wonderful experience with visting the farm during stallion vist Breeders Cup weekend. I will NEVER forget it. Wonderful staff and they provided great moments to meet each horse. Most of all the respect and quite of the visitors just amazed me. While at Derby suggest Kentucky Horse Farm in Lexington also.
Trina Nagele
@Dani—LOVED the photo you linked to of the horse snoozing with the stuffed animal–a bunny? TOO CUTE!http://todmarks.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Day-31-Aug-27/G0000KwkGudhaIdk/I0000wiTAT8P1mIo
audreyc
Horses are such social creatures….the majority of them love other beings. I remember the many “pets” some of the racehorses at San Luis Rey Downs (Bonsall, CA) had. Goats, cats – the best, and most humorous, is the horse whose special friend, and who shared his stall, was a rooster! I will also, never forget, an older horse, named Jasper, back in NJ, at a barn where my daughter was taking lessons. Of course, there were barn cats. One became enamored, and trusting of, old Jasper, and birthed a litter of kittens in his stall. Jasper was a heavy set quarter horse. The kittens were tiny. But, if one chanced upon his stall in the morning, one could see old Jasper, lying down, with a myriad of wee, newborn kittens, snuggled in between his front legs, and under his massive head. Tooo precious!BTW- not one kitten was trampled, or hurt. Jasper was very concsientious.
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, with all the big races coming up ,the fact remains that I just miss you and Mike racing out there and winning as only you can do. The feeling just cant leave me and I am trying hard to see ahead. I really dont think it will ever work. My thoughts are with you constently as are my thoughts of you. My love to you always.
J Smith
@Georgina, I didn’t read your post but I saw LauraJ’s post for you re. things to do. Spot on, I was there about 5 yrs ago and did all those things except the Corvette Museum. Loved them all. The Kentucky Horse Park is fabulous. I could have spent days there, I was lucky enough to see John Henry. He passed away not long after. I think I took a tour of horse farms so as to enjoy the scenery, instead of driving myself. The tour went to about 3 farms and a Bourbon distillery. It was worth it if you don’t have a lot of time in the area, and I’m sure you can find day tours and book online. The danger of driving to the horse farms yourself would be not wanting to tear yourself away. If you are with a group, you have to leave, or else it’d be a long walk back to the hotel! Something else you can do, in the evening, is the Ghost Walking Tour! There are some beautiful old houses in Louisville, it’s a walking tour and takes you through that area and you hear some fun historical stories. Actually, any older city I go to in the summer, I look for a ghost walking tour. I prefer a walking tour, and like to know some history of the place I’m in. It’s cooler in the evening, and it’s usually a fun group that sign up for that tour.
Dylan
Congrats and best of luck to the Sweet Sixteen! Hope everything is well Zenny! Don’t want to pester with this question, but did you see Bernardini yet? Take care, BIG HUG, xoxoxoxoxo
Delrene
Congratulations to all 16. Hoping for a California finalist!
Watched your 60 Minute segment again and it was such a wonderful story of your success- just prior to the Breeders Cup 2010. Love reading all the different posts from all over. Such a great group of people all coming together for you Zenyatta. You make the world a much better place.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” Congrats to the Sweet 16! Wishing you all the best of luck!
Thank you Abigail for sharing that amazing link. It was fun looking back on the past.
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
S (in san diego)
Congratulations all you luckly 16!! Wonderful to see so many familiar names, it is difficult to pick one to cheer for, so I’m cheering for all of you :)
@Karen, I think the world of Zenyatta make many of us feel like a little girl (or even teenager) again. So special.
@Anne M, so very sorry!! Your post had me in tears.
Again…Good Luck everyone still in it!! It’s so much fun to watch and can almost hear the joy in your comments. Sweet Dreams Z and all who love her.
judy berube
To: audreyc
Loved your post about Jasper. Horses are wonderful. We love all animals and the bonds they have with each other and with humans. Judy and Russ
Vicki B.
@audreyc – Loved your story about the horses and their pets, especially Jasper & the cats — because a cat once had her kittens in the middle of the night at my feet under the covers. I woke to the heat and mewling. I felt privileged that she trusted me. And a horse is so much bigger, I think it’d be harder to be that careful.
Karen Mitchell
@Amanda Gilliland – Thanks for your wonderful post about Zenyatta and her well-being, safety and happiness being all-important. I totally agree. My desires seem petty compared to her needs and wants. With tongue partly in cheek, I would suggest that all her hundreds (thousands) of fans, however well-meaning and well-behaved, would pose a great danger to her. Our love and adoration might just overwhelm her as well as every horse and human at Lane’s End. Therefore, like you, I have so many wonderful memories for which I will be eternally grateful. Thanks again for your post; it was right on. And also thanks for your support for Dawn and me.
@kareng – thanks for your support; it is much appreciated.
@S (in san diego) – thanks for your comment about many of us feeling like little girls or teenagers; I’ve been like that all day. I love your city, where I have friends and family. And you are so close to beautiful Del Mar race track, where I spent many happy summers growing up because my dad was a race track veterinarian and that was always our summer vacation spot. It’s late and I’m probably one of the last to comment. So sweet dreams to Zenyatta and everyone on the list.
J Smith
Zenny, GO KINGS, the Stanley Cup playoffs are upon us. I forget who it was, but one of the jockeys used to be a goal judge for the Kings. Was it Chris McCarron? Ha, that was back in the ‘olden days’ thou’, before your time Zenny, when hockey was played at The Forum, near your Barn 55, and there was such a thing as a goal judge. Of course, I hardly remember it myself, I must have seen it on T.V.!!!!!
J Smith
Does anyone remember what diary post mentioned, and had pix I think, of a restaurant in Orange County that was full of Zenyatta photo’s? I just don’t have time to look. Thnx.
Brenda
@LS Thank you for your excellent explanation as to why we can’t see Zenyatta, I had kind of figured it out on my own but hadn’t really thought about all the other mares and foals, just Zenyatta’s health and well being. I’ve been very lucky in my visits to Lexington in the past – seen Secretariat at Claiborne, Big Brown at Three Chimneys, Funny Cide at the Horse Park and am looking forward to meeting Curlin and AP Indy at LEF when I visit Lexington again this July. I also saw Secretariat run his last race at Woodbine in Canada so seeing him up close at Claiborne was a special joy. I hope you all enjoy your visits as much as I have and keep returning year after year.
Nancy
Congratulations to the lucky sixteen!
nicole tufano
Dear All: If you get a chance please visit the Old Friends website they have suffered a terrible financial set back and are in desperate need of any type of donation. Old Friends is a charity that is near and dear to Zenyatta and her connections and has been mentioned on this very website – please any amount can help make a difference for these much deserving horses!!!
LauraJ
@audreyc, love your story about Jasper. There’s a story about the great racemare Kincsem. She had a barn cat that she loved dearly. Kincsem travelled by train to races all over Europe, and her cat went with her. She had just returned by ship from England to France after winning the Goodwood Cup. She was unloaded from the ship, but no one could find the cat. Kincsem refused to move and whinnied for the cat for two hours. She only calmed down when the cat was finally located. She then boarded her train with the cat riding on her back. (Kincsem and Zenyatta share many qualities besides their winning ways: needing to have their favorite water with them when they travelled; affection for barn cats and grooms, devoted owners, passionate fans, and an ongoing flirtation with the public. Kincsem, however, was not considered pretty.)
LauraJ
@nicole tufano, did you hear about this via email? There’s nothing about an emergency on their website. What happened, or can you say? (I’ll send them something this evening.)
nicole tufano
Hey Laura:
It was sent on their newletter last evening via email titled “Old Friends Update” it appears due to a clerical error by the bank they are about $300,000 in the rears….. very serious indeed and not by any means their fault however the careless mistake of bank!
Celeste
What a cute picture of the drawing for the sweet sixteen and congratulations to those whose cards were picked! Being a Texan, I am naturally rooting for those from my state who are on the list – yeehaw!! :) It is always so interesting to read all the comments and spend a little time just basking in the glow of all the love for our Queen that flows on this site. Thank you again, Dottie and Zenyatta, and thank you all!
Judy Miller
Any news on Zenyatta? Is she ok?
LauraJ
@nicole, thanks. It’s probably in my mailbox at home.
nicole tufano
Laura: Great!! Please spread the word as well to everyone you think can be of help.