Good Morning Everyone!
I am so excited! My dear friend and veterinarian while I was at Barn 55, Dr. Dawn Hunkin, helped us in the ELITE EIGHT portion of our contest. She has always been such an important part of My Team. Dawn and I know each other very well. I also know her 2 children, Jack and Emma. As a matter of fact, and this is TOO CUTE, I was at Barn 55 for quite a long time….and while there, I was able to experience both her pregnancies with her! Such fun!
Here are the names of the ELITE EIGHT contestants Dawn selected:
1. Valerie Franklin…………….Davison, MI
2. Georgia Harper…………….Bellevue, WA
3. Dawn Conrad……………….Cedaredge, CO
4. Louann Cingel………………Union, MO
5. Vicki Vinson…………………Apple Valley, CA
6. Thomas Ronholm…………..Rochester, NY
7. Heidi Kruckenberg…………Vallejo, CA
8. Ann Ransone………………..Walkerton, VA
CONGRATULATIONS to these 8 people who will be moving to the FINAL 4! This is truly getting very exciting!
On another note, thank you for the comments about some of MY JOHN’S other Mobile Me links showing up in a prior Diary. The photos of Santa Anita are lovely. The racing pictures are great…and the holiday photos with John and Dottie’s family (and the adorable Sophie Shirreffs in her Christmas outfit) are fun! However, thank you for letting us know that this link was there. It was to be eliminated prior to the video being put up on my web-page. So sorry!
We have let our tech people know to close this. (I guess you are really getting to know John and Dottie’s family life very well. Blush, Blush!) Again, thank you for letting us know!
We will draw the FINAL 4 next week! Dottie has been working with the tech people to get the VOTING procedures organized so all of you are able to participate in the selection of our ZENYATTA BRONZE CONTEST WINNER!
Enjoy the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes today! It is another fun weekend of RACING…plus, the NBA is starting the early rounds of their play-off games! Oh, how I do LOVE SPORTS!
With love,
Hugs to All~(Happy Birthday, Lara!)
Z
Kathy Kimber
Dear Zenyatta, As much as I would love to see you still racing. I want you to be happy and healthy and I believe you are. How great is that. Tomorrow is Sunday Palm Sunday to be exact. Brunch with you beautiful lady. Blessings upon you and your family
Sharon in Seattle
congrats to the final eight!!! And I’ll be cheering for my fellow Washingtonian, Georgia!! good luck, everyone!
Elizabeth
Just curious, but if the final four are going to be voted on, won’t there be a chance for bias for those who post a lot or have lots of friends on here they talk to? How are they going to do this so it remains fair for those who aren’t commenters and enjoy Zenyatta’s website and following her without making themselves known? Any answers to this?
Trina Nagele
Congratulations to the Mosses and Mike Smith on Cozi Rosie’s late-charging second place finish today in the Santa Barbara Handicap at Santa Anita.
Sandra
Hi Zenyatta 8)
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Lets just take a day at a time. Pray for Z’s continued good health and look forward to any photos and videos of her that are shared with us. We all love her very much and want what’s best for her. We’re looking forward to reading some of the cards from the contest that will, no doubt, beautifully express our shared love for her. Judy and Russ
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta I am posting late. It is almost 8:30 in Ohio. I was busy doing Easter basket shopping. BUT I HOPE DAWN SEES THIS> I lit a candle in church for her and was praying hard. SHE made it into the top 8. I am YELLING in OHIO can You Hear me DAWN? YEA YEA YEA !!!!!!!!!!! I am so HAPPY for you! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!
Zenyatta I am happy for the others too but Dawn is special. I hope you stayed dry today sweet girl. It rained like crazy here but stopped at the end of the day. My furbabies got a short walk. I want you to know that I love you alot and hope you have sweet dreams tonight. I am sending you lots of Hugs and Kisses from Shari XXXOOO
@Dawn you are the WOMAN have a GREAT Sunday :)
kealy
@Vicki B. – There’s a difference between “wishing” when it comes to Z and suggesting that a marestare cam be placed in her stall so that every move she makes can be shared with her fans. I think you missed the point . . .
Colleen in IL
At Keeneland this weekend..thought of you Z and how I wished I could have given you a quick nose rub and Peppermint! Close by…!
Shari Voltz
@Trina good article on David and Zenyatta. Thanks for the link :)
kealy
@Theresa E. – a “writing campaign” to bring Z back to the track to race? REALLY? I mean REALLY???? I wouldn’t even think of submitting something like that to the OWNERS of this beautiful horse. Maybe it’s just me but I firmly believe that the decisions that the MOSS family and Team Z have made for Z are the right choices and I totally respect their right to do what THEY feel is in the best interests of Z. To all who want to see her race even just ONE more time, how would you feel if she was seriously injured during that one last race??? I’m content knowing that she left her racing career sound, healthy and is now enjoying the next chapter in her life. I haven’t heard Z say not one time that she is unhappy!!!!!! Actions speak louder then words . . .
Regina From NJ
Hello Zenyatta: YIPPEE! YOUR DR. DAWN PICKED DAWN which kept her on the track still running for the bronze! Wahoo! Run, run, run, Dawn Conrad! And, if you don’t make the Fabulous Four, you will be like Zenyatta at the Breeder’s Cup–still victorious.
And to the remaining seven–Good Luck to you too. You have come so far.
Thanks for all that you do, Great Mare. G’night. xoxoxoxoxo
Margaret
@TeresaE. What does Z have to prove??? You race to prove that you are the best. You race all year and train all year for the Breeders Cup.
There was nothing left for her to prove. In fact, just by going out and training she could have been fatally injured. The time was right. Her loss–maybe not so much, but that is a part of the game. In the end, that loss may well have given her HOY because SHE NEVER GAVE UP going up the stretch.
Soon we’ll hear that she’s been bred back to Bernie and is safely in foal. You have to give it time. There are things happening that can’t be talked about as to why things are being done the way they are. Just be patient. Okay?
After we hear the good news the waiting again will start. From the date she was bred (depending on if we hear that) you have to count forward about 330-360 days. I’ll leave it to Zennie to tell us what sort of things they’ll be looking for at delivery time. Trust the system. Trust Lane’s End. They are in this not only for the money but because THEY CARE ABOUT THE HORSE.
I’m sorry that it can’t be more precise than an approximate date but that is breeding 101.
Margaret
@Kealy. Wow please go back and re-read my post. I believe I worded it in such a way as to help protect the privacy of the other mares in the barn. I even suggested that shocking as it sounds–LE might be just a tad too busy right now to take photos and video. Wow I’ll make sure to watch for your bashing posts to for and about me–so as I can return the favor…
Bridget
Go Thomas! This is getting exciting. Too cute!
Kari Bussell
Congrats to all of the elite eight. Dottie we all appreciate you so very, very much. Good luck to all of you. Zenyatta I love you with all my heart and soul.
@ Dawn- you are so kind to everyone and while I don’t know you I was thrilled to see your name still in it. Good luck!
L.S.
@TeresaE
To be blunt I think that such a campaign is a horrible and selfish idea that is a slap in the face not only to Zenyatta but to the Mosses themselves.
.
Try to recall that at the end of 2009 Zenyatta was ‘retired’. She then obviously showed John Sherrifs and the Mosses that she still wanted to run. They listened to her, kept her in training and gave her a 2010 career when they COULD HAVE RETIRED HER UNBEATEN!
.
If at any time Zenyatta had shown she still wanted to be at the track, I trust that Sherrifs and the Mosses would have taken that into account. They obviously had before but this time, when she was retired, she obviously showed she was ready to hang up her racing plates.
.
Physical soundness is not the only indicator of a horse’s desire to run. Try to remember that the backside of a race track is the most horse hostile location on Earth. A horse is meant to be walking and grazing all day, they are meant to be with a herd of their peers. A horse’s digestive system alone takes a beating on the backside. We all joke about her Guinness, has anyone looked up and read up why race horses, stabled at a track are given Guinness?
.
It’s to aid in keeping their digestive tracks working.
.
Physically sure Zenyatta was sound and could keep running but mentally and emotionally she had no reason to continue to live her 20+ hours of her life in a 10×15 stall or at the end of a lead shank. 7 years is a long time for that sort of life, it’s time for Zenyatta to go back to being a horse.
Bridget
I’m kind of disappointed that we may not get to see her now. I was looking forward to it this summer. I understand the circumstances of Lane’s End’s decision, though I’m still disappointed. I remember what Dottie said about making sure the public gets to visit her, I hope she follows through with that. Anyway, maybe we’ll be able to see her next year…Have a healthy foal, Z!
Sally
Congrats to all of the final 8! Valerie – it’s great to see the Michigan connection is still in it!!!
Roxi Cook
How exciting for the Elegant Eight! It’s cool to see that the finalists are from all over the country too. Love that you’re doing this for the fans. Well … I’m off to go find all of today’s race replays online. I know that Mike Smith rode at least one winner at Santa Anita today; now I just need to video to see it all happen. THANK YOU so much to Team Z for getting me back into racing!
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Well it is a very nasty, rainy day here in NJ. I pretty much stayed at home all day. I watched the races on HRTV. Congratulations to the Moss’ with Cozi Rosie. Mike Smith’s finish was a strong 2nd.
@TeresaE: We certainly do miss Zenny at the races. However, I believe she has shown all of us through many of her videos just how very, very happy she is at Lanes End. You can only race for so long just like dancers can dance for just so long. It’s always best to retire when you’re on top. And that’s exactly what Zenny did. And she retired healthy. Now she can go on and do other things like be a happy horse hanging out in the paddock with her barn buddies. We love you Zenny! Love, Linda
J Smith
Jeanne from Vista, hope u don’t mind me reposting the link to the photo of Zenny and Mario having a good laugh. It’s just TOO CUTE, do check it out everyone. I think I will order a copy, if you looked at this photo when feeling down, or in a bad mood, it would instantly make you laugh. I love it. Thank you for posting Jeanne. http://signonimages.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=32504037&event=1108255&CategoryID=53446&thispage=1
Paula Higgins
Teresa E, I think John Shirreffs knows what is best for Zenyatta. As do her owners, Ann and Jerry Moss. I, for one, would never sign a petition to have her race again. She is retired, safe and happy. She is being a horse and loving it. Be happy for her and hopefully we will be able to follow her foals when they race. She has done enough for a lifetime and I am very grateful for that.
pamela
Congratulations to the finalists. Good Luck in the next round. Love and Kisses Zenny.
Kim S
Yay Dawn and the rest of the Elite Eight. We’re almost to the final countdown.
I too, believe that Zenyatta was retired at the right time, without injuries of any kind. Some of my nervousness in her last year of racing was thinking maybe we all had wanted her to win too much and pushed the envelope one too many times with her soundness. Thankfully, she’s happy AND healthy. Congratulations to Team Z on that. Everyone have a wonderful Sunday.
Lotsa love to all.
Celeste
How wonderful that we are getting to know more of the members of Team Zenyatta as we now get to see Dr. Hunkin draw for the Elite Eight. It is remarkable that so many people love and care about Zenyatta so much! It is beautiful to be sharing this. Congratulations to those whose names were chosen and good luck as the time approaches the final four. For those who did not get picked, you have my sympathy on that one. Thank you once again, Dottie and Zenyatta and all of the team for making this site and diary available to us to continue to feel connected to our Queen!
Quarterhossgal
Congrats to all the finalists! If we have a chance to vote on the final four would it be possible to read their post cards so we might make a vote based on what they said about Queen Z?
What an exciting day of racing, Derby picture is really wide open now!
Zenny…I am looking forward to our Palm Sunday brunch! Hope the weather is better in Kentucky today.
Lauren
Hey Ladies,everything that has been shared with all of you shows how powerful Zen’s influence in each of our lives.Not hearing much about her status recently is certainly causing a flood of emotions. We all miss her videos,thrilling races and stories. We are having “withdrawal” symptoms. On the other hand,we want her to be healthy and safe in her new home. It at times very difficult to be well,mature about things. Hoping she would be having a baby “Z” or “B” helped ease us into another stage of her life away from racing. It
So hard to patient waiting for any bit of news. In the meantime, just respect others feelings which might not be so logical,but so heartfelt and sincere. Let’s bring the intensity down a few notches. Don’t you wish you had the effect on people? Wow!
Linda Henderson
For whoever wins the Zenyatta bronze, it will be a very great day. This contest has been so much fun. I am happy to have been a part of it. Good luck Elite Eight!
suew
@J Smith…what an awesome photo of Zenny and her Mario. I absolutely LOVE it. Thanks for providing the link.