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
Amanda Gilliland
@ Teresa E– Are you related to Jan from Post #226. You both share the same thoughts on Zenyatta.
Teresa, The Mosses & The Sherriffs know exactly what Zenyatta needs more than have anyone else. The Mosses do not have to explain any decision on what they do, when they do it or why they do it to anyone. They have always made the BEST decisions for Zenyatta as evident by her racing career and retirement. They took great care of her while she raced and Zenyatta is as healthy & sound today as she was racing! Zenyatta has nothing to prove to anyone! Teresa, if you want to see her race look at her videos. They are wonderful to watch. Zenyatta is A Living Legend. Zenyatta is a living & breathing 7 y.o. super horse that deserves the life she has now. She is not a machine. She has earned every minute of retirement! I’m so THANKFUL Zenyatta has The Mosses that care & love her for all the right reasons instead of an owner that would have raced her to death. Zenyatta is happy in retirement as evident as by the videos & photos we have seen.
Congratulations again to the Elite 8! To have a chane to win a beautiful bronze statue of Zenyatta. What an honor!
I am thankful to be part of a Fan Family that dearly loves Zenyatta and truly appreciates her. I love Zenyatta more than she knows. Sending Hugs & Kisses from Alabama With Love To My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, Amanda Gilliland
Amanda Gilliland
@J Smith- Thanks for the photo of Mario & Zenyatta laughing. I needed that!
Julia B
Congrats to the Elite 8, How exciting!!!! Best wishes going into the final four… anticipation……
Zenny i saw this and had to post it for you…
“A horse gallops with his lungs,
Perseveres with his heart,
And wins with his character.”
– Tesio
In your case Zenny we’ll change it up to say with HER lungs, heart & character!!
I have noticed that the girls are really dominating in the races, Rags to Riches, Eight Belles RIP,Rachel Alexandra, the up and coming R Heat Lightning and our legendary Queen Z- think it is something passed on in the breeding. Many great stallions are producing great fillies !!!
Luv 2 u my Zenny!
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
well, the plot is thickening for your fans, only 16 now, and then there was only one.
I was just enjoying your video made 4 days before christmas last yr., your first time all loose like a longneck goose, :) :) :)at Lane’s End’s paddock with all your buddies there to share that special moment. And what a special moment it was to see you kick up your hooves, tail high, and run like the wind. It was beautiful to watch. What a lucky horse you are, what a good life you are living. Your previous glam celeb life had a lot of perks, but you worked hard for it, this life instead of munchin’ the roses of your blanket, your flossin’ your teeth with genuine Kentucky Blue Grass in a gentle breeze in true southern comfort :) :) :) Have a good night and dreams of mints and carrots and such.
Sunny Boyd
P.S.
oh man, I’m sleepin’, I meant 8 fans. :) :) :)
Michelle
Congratulations to the Elite 8.
I heard today on HRTV the Old Friends Retirement Farm needs donations. They have to raise $300,000 in the next few months to help pay the loans on the farm. Anything we can do to help is going to a great cause. Visit their website oldfriendsequine.org for information on how to donate. You can call, donate on-line or mail a check for any amount. It is a great facility for retired racehorses. I just wanted to get the word out to fellow horse lovers like all of you.
Trina Nagele
Mike Smith won on Regally Ready in race 3, got a second-place on Kajiwara in race 8, another second on Cozi Rosie (the Mosses’ filly) in race 9, and a third-place with Artuya in race 4. Way to go, Mike!
Chantal Sutherland got first-place in race 4 on American Lady and a second-place on Muny in race 1. Hurray Chantal!
Karen Lopez
Good luck to all, but especially to Ms. Franklin in Davison, MI. I live in Flint, so if she wins, maybe she will let me drop by to see the bronze!!!
Trina Nagele
Here’s a lovely interview video with veterinarian Dawn Hunkin before Zenyatta’s retirement. Dawn says that it will be “a big adjustment,” but that “she’ll do just fine.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGMw8c0LID8
Cindy from LA
@J Smith
Really love that link with pic of Mario and Z “laughing”
Together. TOO CUTE!!!!!
What a wild race day. Derby is wide open. Wonder what
Happened to the Factor. I am rooting for Mr Commons.
Racing is a very stressful thing for horses. I was quiet
Concerned a few weeks ago when that horse turned
Upside down in the gate. That is wound tooo tight.
Great point about Guiness helping digestion. Living in
A stall, never being turned out and tethered to a human
At all times is not a great long term situation for a horse.
Zenny is safe and sound at Lanes End. Thank goodness
The John so meticulously took care of her. To keep a race
Horse of her size sound without major injury is a magnanimous
Feat. She is sooo lucky to have such a great life as a horse
Now. She will get on with her next career when her body
Is ready. She is definitely ready in her mind. Thanks to LE
For protecting and caring for her and the Mosses, Sherriff
Cindy from LA
@J Smith
Really love that link with pic of Mario and Z “laughing”
Together. TOO CUTE!!!!!
What a wild race day. Derby is wide open. Wonder what
Happened to the Factor. I am rooting for Mr Commons.
Racing is a very stressful thing for horses. I was quiet
Concerned a few weeks ago when that horse turned
Upside down in the gate. That is wound tooo tight.
Great point about Guiness helping digestion. Living in
A stall, never being turned out and tethered to a human
At all times is not a great long term situation for a horse.
Zenny is safe and sound at Lanes End. Thank goodness
The John so meticulously took care of her. To keep a race
Horse of her size sound without major injury is a magnanimous
Feat. She is sooo lucky to have such a great life as a horse
Now. She will get on with her next career when her body
Is ready. She is definitely ready in her mind. Thanks to LE
For protecting and caring for her and the Mosses, Sherriffs
And her teams for sharing her and helping her to be
All she can be.
Sweet Dreams Zenny!!!! Enjoy brunch tomorrow with
The Girls !!!!
Cindy from LA
Sorry for repeat. Mistake!!!
Holly Zemba
Congrats to the Elite 8!!!
Trina Nagele
@Jeanne from Vista and @J. Smith—Thanks for that wonderful photo of Mario and Z. Have you every seen grins that big? TOO CUTE!
AJ from CA
Loved the video of Z and Mario laughing? (wonder what was so funny?) Really made my day!
@Teresa – I personally am very happy and relieved that Z ended her racing career healthy and sound and is enjoying her retirement under Kentucky skies with all her buddies. When I visited her at HP backside last year, I was struck at how confining it must have been for her to be so cooped up day after day in a small stall and always having to be on a lead.
Jo
Congratulations to the Elite Eight! Good to see CO is still in there represented! Ah, the great memories of the Z Apple Blossoms. I watched both of the races. from ’08 and ’10 yesterday. Love and hugs to Z and Team Zenyatta.
J Smith
@Karen Lopez, I was thinking the same thing about the lady in Apple Valley CA!
Ms Vinson, I’ll bring the carrot cake if u let me see the bronze!!! Best of luck to all 8. Everyone, I posted a link to a story about Mucho Macho Man, who is going to the KY Derby, on yesterdays diary. It is near the bottom, so many of you may not have seen it. It is a good read, his connections have really had some trials. It can also be found on Mucho Macho Man’s face book page. Read it over brunch, it’s a story Zenny will like.
Dona
Hello Dear One, hope all’s well with you, can’t wait until the news is out. Rooted for Mikey and Rosey today but I love Carla Gaines so I was happy for her and Malibu Pier. Tomorrows another day, hope it’s a good one for everyone. Luv to all.
J Smith
Re: The Factor not doing as well as expected in the AK Derby, they said he may have ‘displaced his palate’. Can anyone explain what that means? Thanks.
Valeria Cannon
Congrats to the ‘Elite Eight’ and best of luck getting to the ‘Final Four’. Wooo, what a busy day of racing today, congrats and Z hug to Mikey and Chantal on their races, awesome job! Pretty dreary/rainy day here in Illinois, so I got to watch a lot of races, and guess what! ‘Girl Power’ is alive and well (two-legged and four-legged), the girls rocked all over the country! Lady Z, I know you got some rain today (must have made you happy to see) because that means that there’s more mud for you and the girls to play in. :) Tell Dr. Dawn thanks for taking time out of her busy schedule to pull names for us, we definitely appreciate it. Well, getting sleepy now but have a great brunch on Sunday and tell the girls and team Z hello for me, okay?
Hugs and Peppermint Kisses,
Valeria
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, Good Sunday Morning to you! I hope you & your gal pals enjoy running & rolling in the sun. I have to share with you a blessing I had on friday. I had one of the biggest thrills to show my Uncle Park, in the nursing home, your race videos. He has severe crippling R.A. and he had never seen you race. I watched him get excited with his smiling face and eyes brighten. He kept saying, “She is one good looking horse. She is so beutiful. She is so big. She is so fast. Look at her come from behind.” The best was “She is one more smart horse. She knows just what to do.” Then I showed him your 1st freedom run free at Land’s End. His eyes filled with joy and he said,”Look at her run, with her tail held high, running & kicking so happy & free. She deserves that.” I have always told him about you & how much you mean to me but I had to get a USB connect for my laptop to show him. My Uncle Park served his entire life for our country in all 3 branches of Army, Navy & Air Force. Uncle Park, 85 y.o., knows what work it takes for service for our country & then when to retire. That is what he appreciates & has such great respect for The Mosses. To hear Uncle Park,a U.S. service HERO, talk about Zenyatta, a TB Racing Hero, meant so much to me. Uncle Park told me that Zenyatta had to have the BEST of the BEST for her to obtain all the race wins & awards. He praised The Mosses & John Sherriff for protecting her and for letting her retire being sound & healthy. Uncle Park looked very serious and asked “Will she be protected where she is now?” I smiled back, “Yes Sir, She has the Best of the Best for her retirement at Land’s End. That The Mosses allow Dottie Sherriff to write a post for us to hear from her & to see photots & videos of her.” He nodded with satisfaction. It was wonderful to share Zenyatta and see what happiness she brings.
@ J Smith-Thanks for sharing the story of the family of Macho Man. As a R.N.,I worked with heart & lung transplant surgeries. To hear the foal still born then to get up & run.WOW! Both are true miracles.
@ Cindy of LA- Great Post!
@ Julia B- i love the saying by Tesio. You are right! That is Zenyatta! we are so Blessed to have experienced Zenyatta in our lifetime.
I love you Zenyatta more than you’ll ever know. I sincerely Thank God for you. I can’t Thank The Mosses enough for sharing you. Dottie, Great post as always! sending Hugs & Kisses To You, Zenyatta, With Love From Alabama, Amanda G.
Amanda Gilliland
Congratulation to all of the Elite Eight! (Yeah Dawn!) I am so excited to see who the Final Four are! Then the Winner! I was just happy & excited to be picked in the 64! That was an honor for me. We are all winners to have Zennyatta! Maybe in one Post, Dottie could ask everyone to post there own card for all of us to read. I would love to hear what Zenyatta means to you & racing. That would be easy to do. Like “A Honor Day For Zenyatta”!
I love you, Zenyatta! Amanda G.
Lisa g
Congratulations to the Elite Eight. Since my fellow Texas folks are not included, I will have to go to my California folks…Good luck Vicki and Heidi…
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Good morning to you and good morning All. Just to keep the excitement at “Bay”…resending the video of Nina Kaiser ‘In heaven’ measuring you, sweet Z. I am looking forward to seeing your friend “El Vino” today at S.A. hopefully triumph! You taught him well. So excited for a day in the sunshine. Speaking of Triumph, blessed Palm Sunday and Joy to you and your Z Team. http://www.equinesculpture.com/videoshtm
DJ
http://www.equinesculpture.com/video.htm.
DJ
sorry, will try one more time:
http://www.equinesculpture.com/videos.htm.
(need my glasses :)
DJ
Hallelluia!!
Cindy from LA
Thanks DJ for the link to Nina’s website. Her work is sooo beautiful.
Good Luck to the Elite Eight. Go CA.
@Amanda
Love your post about elderly relative and Zenny’s Video. I also
Spend time like others watching her videos. The biggest
Difference in fields I’ve noticed is BCC 09 and BC 10. The field
Was much slower in 09. Those young colts with all
That testosterone were really moving in 10. It is soooo amazing
A 6 year old mare caught Blame with a horrible trip
And almost won. What true talented once in a lifetime
Thoroughbred race horse, OUR ZENYTTA.
Zen
Have a great relaxing morning in the paddock and
Mud. Enjoy your facial. Happy brunch with the girls.
XXXOOO
jeanie langford
Happy Sunday big girl. congrats to the 8. Hope to have some good news soon. Be well and happy. Oh by the way, are your girlfriends doing ok. Never hear about them anymore. Hugs and Kisses
Sally (B)
@Elizabeth; interesting questions. I just love to get on here for Zenyatta!! Uum, I wonder how this will work.