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
Valeria Cannon
@ Abigail, I’m so sorry to hear about the website being hacked, I was just there last night, and had planned on stopping by tonight. But, I’m soooo glad you were able to save the postings and are up and running so quickly! :) :)
@ The Zen Family, I hope you all had a blessed Palm Sunday, and enjoyed the races. May heart goes out to the horses and their teams/families that didn’t come back safe and sound. I’m praying for swift recoveries for the jockeys that were hurt and their families.
Now, for you Lady Z, YIPPEEE, El Vino won!
He ran just the way ‘you’ taught him, besides with you as a teacher, and your Mikey as his jockey, he was a shoe-in. (Plus, I made a few bucks as well) ;) :) Even the track announcer gave you a shout-out! Hope you and the girls had a fun, relaxing Sunday! Now that ‘Derby Fever’ is upon us, have you choosen your derby hat yet? Well, I’m off to visit LIS and see if there’s any new pics of your ‘Godcolt’. Lots of hugs and peppermint kisses!
Valeria
saharagold
Queen Z – I posted pics of El Vino’s win on the Backside 55 Facebook page, and I posted a tribute to Tokubetsu on the Blood-Horse Facebook page. Too much triumph and tragedy in one day – I can’t get to sleep tonight. I wonder how I am going to do so – I HAVE to go to work tomorrow!
Liz L
I love when you teach us more about racing as you did the other day regarding nominations for stakes races. I wish you could explain to me more about how horses are sold. If someone has a horse to sell, it’s my understanding that if the bids don’t go high enough the horse can be bought back. HOw can you buy back a horse you already own?
Kathy Kimber
I absolutely want Z to have her life on her terms as much as I loved seeing her race. Her being happy and healthy is the most important thing.
Not sure I like the idea of voing on the final four. Think drawing the card is still the best way. Happy day Lady Z
Nancy
Congratulations to the elite 8. Such a wonderful idea. Thanks Zenyatta team!
Cindy from LA
@LS
Zenny’s mom was bred to Street Cry his first
Breeding season. Fee was $5000
Dear Zenny
Have a wonderful blessed day with your BBF
Eating pears and carrots and rolling in the mud.
XXXXOOO
Lisa g
@Kealy: Well said, I too sleep much better.
@Cindy in LA: I think RA was burnt out as well, I check up on her online from time to time, and she is happy, healthy, she has always been such a pretty filly. She really needed to retired, bless her heart.
Lisa g
Before every race of Zenyatta, I prayed to keep her safe, winning came in second. I was watching when Ruffian broke down, we lost a beautiful, beautiful filly. We will never see her babies, we will never get to see her retire happy and healthy. Before I watched what I call “The Zenyatta Freedom” video, I still wanted her to race, and why….for me. I am so glad I am no longer selfish regarding this wonderul, beautiful horse we love so much. Queen Zenyatta.
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Congratulations on your friend El Vino’s great Win! It was so exciting…and yes I thought of Y.O.U. as the Moss’s silks went streaming into the finish line!! How could he do otherwise with you as his sparring partner? The joy was almost overshadowed by the horrible spill taken by Tokubetsu with Martin Garcia aboard. I am still in prayer for him…Blessings to your wonderful “Z” family – “every little thing they do is magic!”
Lisa g
Just read about Tokubetsu, he took a bad step, fell, broke his leg and now he is no longer with us. Garcia is doing okay.
Abigail from Montreal
HUGE THANKS to everyone for sending off your HUGS & ENCOURAGEMENT & KIND WORDS about THE VAULT. I just think this Community of Zen is the greatest and love coming here to read your stories and ideas and thoughts. It’s a testimonial to all of you that, in a world filled with so much misunderstanding and intolerance, you have created a safe and supportive environment for everyone. And it’s all in the name of love. Still another gift from Zenyatta, Dottie and her teams in California and Kentucky.
Lisa g
@Amanda G, I too am a little behind reading posts, hope all is well. Thank you, thank you for your post of April 16, this is the best….Lisa g
Amanda Gilliland
Good Morning My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I hope it’s beautiful there at Land’s End and you are running & playing with you Gal Pals and then a good roll in the Kentucky blue grass for a nice rest like in the photo we saw of you with the girls. What a beautiful site to behold.
@ Lisa G.-I want to tell you that you spoke for me. I like you wanted to see more Zenyatta race too but after I watched the Freedom Video, I cried to see Zenyatta finally free. It hit me like nothing I had ever seen. Zenyatta’s head held high, running with the wind, jumping, kicking & neighing. She would stop with head held high, smell the Ky air and look to see if her family & Team Z were looking at her. Then she would take off again. WOW! She ran up to each of them, touching them & looking eye to eye to say “Thank You” then turning to race with the wind. To me, the video was so powerful. Zenyatta had given me my life back when I saw her race her 20th race and I can never express my love for her adequately. My sincere heart felt Thanks to The Mosses & The Sherriffs.
@Karen G.-I like the name Zennyland! It is a geat place to visit & spend time.
@Kealy-I totally agree with you. I sleep much better too.
@Abigail from Montreal- I have shared your site with a lot of people. They love it, too. Great, Great articles! The Mosses & Sherriffs have been blessed with some wonderful horses. Thank You for sharing Giacomo’s photos and sayings from the people who know The Mosses. I find it so amazing to read about the great TB of the past and see their traits in todays’ TB. I love Needles’ story with Secretariat’s heart. For Zenyatta, it will take some many novels to write about her. What a read!
Zenyatta, It’s Holy Week, have to go. I have some news to share with you about another racing artist & retired Jockey that have celebrated you. Sending Hugs & Kisses To You from Alabama with My love, Amanda G.
I am so looking forward to the Final Four. Congratulations to the Elite Eight. What an honor at a chance to win a Nina’s Bronze Zenyatta Statue! I’ll be so excited for the winner!
Amanda Gilliland
Thanks Lisa G. All is good.
ENSIGN
@ Cindy from LA,
.
Street Cry entered stud at Jonabell Farm (now Darley) for a fee of $30,000. He never did stand for $5000.
.
As far as Zenyatta and Bernardini go, I’ve heard ‘around’ that she was bred back over a week and a half ago, but take that for what you will. You hear lots of gossip in the run of a day ;-) When she’s ‘safely’ in foal again I’m sure you’ll hear it here 1st.
DJ
Good morning, Nice to see Your name, Ensign, and good information you always provide. Will check back later for a new and exciting Post. Good luck to All for the Bronzatta :)
The Kennedys in San Diego
@ENSIGN — With regard to the second breeding, that is consistent with what we have heard in the past few days and you were on target the first time. Here is hoping all goes well and we are sure we will all hear in good time.
Lois Gillespie
Z, what a nice race El Vino ran yesterday! And Dottie, you looked so great in that pink outfit- was that a “Z” pin on your sleeve? You should have heard the conversation on HRTV with Gary Stevens after that race – so complimentary to Z, Dottie, John and the Mosses. I got my fix for the day-
Lisa g
I keep checking in, I do not want to miss the vote.
@Amanda: Your view of the Freedom Video made me cry again, I do not see how anyone could want Zenyatta any where else but free…
Cindy from LA
It is best for the Mosses, Sherriffs and Team Z to keep everything hush!!! hush !!!
Too much pressure does not lend itself to keeping a pregnancy. Lanes End is right and should be under control. She is a very expensive, precious mare and getting her pregnant and keeping her pregnant is their top priority. We all need to be PATIENT and wait for the accurate information from Dottie !!!
notafanofensign
It is suspect that all of the desire for
“inside information” on this site is focused on boosting ones financial status
in the horseracing world. This site should not be used for personal financial
gain and was never intented to be used for this.
Team Z, Team Lanes End and The Mosses whould not be HAPPY about this probability.
MLV
Amanda Gilliland: Thank you so much for saying what I so wanted to say. I was verbally attacked by another poster on Saturday and this was the weekend I had to pick up my baby’s ashes so I did not have the stomach to reply. I was so happy to read your responses. You hit it right on the nail as did a few others whom I applaud.
For the person who was so mean to me all I have to say is since you proclaimed that you are such a good researcher why not go directly to the source instead of a dressage site? Go to the Bloodhorse site and right there on the first page there is a listing of all the top breeding farms on the right hand side. Why not contact each and everyone of them and ask them how likely it is that they would take a top mare who is slated to be a broodmare and for one “season” turn her into a dressage horse? I would bet my paycheck that each and every one of the farms on that list says NEVER. And please note, I am not telling you what to do. I’m just making a suggestion.
You know learning something new does not mean you are ignorant. It simply means that you were able to seize an opportunity to advance your knowledge of something that you have an interest in. And that can be nothing short of wonderful. I hope I never stop learning new things. And again, this is just my opinion.
georgia
thanks for the good wishes Sharon in Seattle. It was my lucky weekend, both my grandaughters made it to the National Gymnastics Championships in May and I let out a hoot at the gym when I saw my name on your site. I wish all of the remaining 8 best of luck and a very big thank you again to Team Z for such a fabulous opportunity you have given us. Lots of love to my Queen and have a wonderful week.
DJ
Dear MLV,
I just read your message and wanted to express my sorrow for your most heart wrenching task…Words do not suffice, but I would like to offer my sympathy to you. I hope you have a more blessed “today”.
Marilu V
Hello Zeny: Hope you had a good weekend. It was a horrible weekend for those who were hit by over 200 tornadoes. Thank God Kentucky was not in the path. Dottie said in an interview when asked about you that you needed your privacy. Great decision. Whatever the situation I hope when the right time comes you will be healthy and will be blessed. Hugs, Marilu
DJ
Yes… prayers for all involved in the terrible loss and destruction by the tornados.
Cindy from LA
@MLV
Have a blessed day today and everyday !!!!
Your comments are sooo well appreciated.
ENSIGN
If anyone is making ‘financial gains’ from posting on this blog, I’d certainly love to know who and how! ;-) Sign me up and I’m sure I could find some more time to post LOL.
Love you too ‘Hatespeople/notafanofensign’ :-)
Lauren
Dear Zenny – Good luck to the finalists in the contest. I am sure that everyone has Hooves Crossed that he or she wins. I hope you are having an outstanding day beautiful girl. By the way, I live in New Jersey but love the Lakers. Can you root them on for me also — after all you are a champion too. Keep smiling beautiful girl. xoxoxo
Vicki B.
@Ensign, Glad to see you’re not going away!